1. Spresense LTE Firmware Updater Overview

This is the manual for the Spresense LTE Firmware Updater for the Spresense LTE Expansion Board (CXD5602PWBLM1E / CXD5602PWBLM1NA).

This tool is used to update the firmware of the LTE module installed from version RK_03_00_00_00_04121_001 to version RK_03_00_00_22_13151_002.

Tools are provided for both MacOS and Windows. Download the version you require:

2．How to run the Spresense LTE Firmware Updater

2-1．Spresense LTE Firmware Updater

Windows OS

1. In Windows Explorer, right-click SprLteFWUpdater_RK3.0.0.22.13151.002_win64_en.zip and click "Extract All" from the menu short-cut menu.

2. Launch the updater tool. Navigate to the folder "SprLteFWUpdater_RK3.0.0.22.13151.002_win64_en", created when you extracted the files, and double-click on SpresenseLteFirmwareUpdater.exe.

Mac OS

1. In the Finder, right-click SprLteFWUpdater_RK3.0.0.22.13151.002_mac_en and from the short-cut menu, click Open with this application> Utility.

2. Double-click on SpresenseLteFirmwareUpdater to launch the updater tool.

The updater will start up as shown.

2-2．Connecting the Spresense LTE Expansion Board

NOTE: Before starting the update, if you haven’t done so already, install the serial driver as described in the development tool setup.

  1. Connect the Spresense LTE extension board to be updated to the Spresense Main board, as shown on the startup screen.
  2. Connect the USB connector on the Main board to the PC with a USB cable and click Next.

2-3．Serial port selection for the Spresense Main board

1. Select the serial port of your Spresense Main board and click Next.

For details on how to check the serial port on the Spresense Main board, refer to How to check the USB serial port.

2-4．Start the update

You are now ready to update your Spresense LTE expansion board. Make sure that the Spresense Main board and the Spresense LTE extension board are connected, and that the Spresense Main board and the PC are connected via USB.

The update takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

WARNING: During the update:

  • Do not unplug the USB cable from the Spresense Main board.
  • Do not press the reset button on the Spresense Main board.
  • Do not turn off the power until the update is complete.

Click Start update.

2-5．Performing the update

During the update process you will perform the following four tasks:

  • Install the Update Tool
  • Verify the Spresense LTE Expansion Board Connection
  • Transfer the update files
  • Update the firmware

NOTE: During the process, you need to press the button on the Spresense LTE expansion board to check the connection of the Spresense LTE expansion board.

2-5-1． Installing the Update Tool

Here, the Update Tool files are written to the Spresense Main board. This step should take about 30 seconds.

2-5-2． Verifying the Spresense LTE Expansion Board Connection

  1. When you see the message "Press and hold the button on the Spresense LTE expansion board", press and hold the black button (yellow circle) in the upper-left corner of the Spresense LTE expansion board.
  2. ONLY WHEN YOU SEE the following message " Release the button on the Spresense LTE expansion board" can you release the button. WARNING: If you release it before the prompt "Release the button…", the update will fail.

2-5-3. Transferring the firmware update files

In these steps, the new version of the firmware is transferred to the Spresense LTE expansion board. This takes about 10 to 20 minutes.

2-5-4. Updating the firmware

Now the firmware update will be done. This takes about 5 minutes.

2-6． Complete the update

If the message "Update Completed" appears, the firmware has been successfully updated. Click Close to exit the application.

3. What to do if the update fails

The PC is under heavy load or the serial port is in use

If you see either of the following screens, make sure no other application is using the serial port and there are no applications running demanding applications, and then run the update again.

If the firmware has already updated

If you see a screen similar to the following, the firmware on your Spresense LTE expansion board has already been updated. Please use it as it is.

Board is not eligible for updating

If you see the following screen, your Spresense LTE expansion board is not the one you are updating.

The detected version of the connected Spresense LTE extension board is not eligible for update. Only firmware version RK_03_00_00_00_04121_001 can be updated.

USB cable is disconnected

If you see the following screen, the USB connection between the Spresense Main board and the PC has been lost for some reason. Check the USB connection status or the USB serial driver status, and then run the update again.