gpsflash
1
15 Jul 2005
gpsflash
2-stage firmware loader for GPS chipsets
gpsflash
-v
-l loader-file
-p tty
-f firmware-file
DESCRIPTION
This program is a firmware loader for GPSes connected to your
host computer via serial or USB port. Presently it supports only SiRF
GPSes. Other GPSes may be supported in the future if the vendors
cooperate.
For operation, this program requires a flashloader binary (found
by default in a file named dlgsp2.bin) and a
firmware image. This program first ships a command that tells the GPS
a flashloader image will follow, then gives the GPS time to reboot into the
flashloader. The flashloader then accepts S-records from the serial
or USB port until it sees a termination record, at which point it
writes the new firmware into the GPS's non-volatile memory
and reboots the chip into the new firmware.
You will need to obtain your own copy of
dlgsp2.bin and your own firmware image. The GPSD
project does not yet have permission to distribute these files, so
don't ask us for copies.
This program makes no attempt to check that the flashloader or
firmware image is compatible with your GPS. EXPERIMENT AT YOUR OWN
RISK.
This loader will only work with firmware images in S-record
format, which is the form SiRF normally distrubutes then in. If you
get a binary firmware image from somewhere, you can use
objdump1,
from the GNU binutils to convert it to S-records.
Realize that we are not kidding around when we say that this
could very well break your receiver permanently, and if it does, it's
no one's fault but your own. For this program to operate, you must set
an environment variable called I_READ_THE_WARNING with the value "why
oh why didn't i take the blue pill".
The GPS will be reset to 4800bps NMEA after flash.
BUGS AND LIMITAIONS
THIS PROGRAM CAN DESTROY YOUR GPS. A botched firmware upload
will turn it into a paperweight. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Maintainers
are not responsible for direct or incidental damages. YOU HAVE BEEN
WARNED.
SEE ALSO
gpsd8,
xgps1,
libgps3,
libgpsd3,
srec5.
AUTHOR
Chris Kuethe chris.kuethe@gmail.com. There is a
project page for gpsd here.