Esp32s3 firmware download

Excellent Forum Solutions XIAO
1

I would like to download a copy of the factory firmware (e.g., esp32s3_xpb_v***.bin) for my xiao-esp32s3 module. Is this possible? - Thanks! - Jim

2

Hi there,

Yes, Yes indeed, Use the ESP flash tool and the factory BIN. :+1:

HTH

GL :slight_smile: PJ :v:

3

Hi PJ - Can the binary file be downloaded separately? I’m curious to see if the factory flash image can be installed without using the ESP Flash Tool. I don’t really need to mess around with the firmware, I’m just curious about the process. - Thanks! - Jim

4

I also am running linux and the flash tool seems to be a Windows-only app.

5

Hui there,

So , Do you mean Like a DFU via OTA like BLE ?

or just an App? Explain a little more .

ESP32-S3 has full support for:

ESP-IDF OTA (Official Espressif)

This is the “real” OTA mechanism:

  • Dual-partition scheme (factory + OTA_0, OTA_1)

  • Verified during flash

  • Rollback protection

  • Works over BLE, Wi-Fi, HTTPS, Local network, AWS IoT, etc.

This is built into ESP-IDF as:

esp_https_ota
esp_ota_ops

Many commercial products ship with this.

I have done it with a web page , you navigate to the page on the browser, and it downloads new bin file. ( I got it from Paul’s SmartWatch) Original Author.

HTH

GL :slight_smile: PJ :v:

6

Hi there,

What style of OTA do you want?

Because ESP32-S3 supports:

:check_mark: Wi-Fi OTA

:check_mark: HTTP(S) OTA

:check_mark: BLE OTA

:check_mark: USB WebDFU OTA

:check_mark: MSC “Drag-and-Drop” OTA

:check_mark: Arduino IDE OTA

All of these are working and mature. :grin:

GL :slight_smile: PJ :v:

7

Hi JP - I’m very new to embedded device programming so I’m not sure how to answer your various questions. What I’m trying to understand is whether factory firmware can be flashed to the XIAO-ESP32S3 using a Sparkfun FTDI Basic (USB-Serial device). I’ve connected the FTDI unit (3.3v, GND, TX, RX) to the XIAO module’s Rx and Tx pins. I can see serial boot output in my serial connection tool (minicom running on linux). As I mentioned earlier, I’m only experimenting with firmware upload to try and better understand how things work. If what I’m trying to do does not make sense then I’ll stop my experiment. - Thanks again! - Jim

8

Hi there,

Excellent way to discover Jim..No that is great stuff, you’re looking at the second serial port on the Xiao as a log output. You can flash the Xiao directly through the USB-C port also. If you hold the boot button and tap reset, then release the boot button. You put it into a “bootloader mode” and are ready to accept new Flash files, BIN, Hex, and in some cases, UF2 drag and drop files. This is typically how it is done.

in the IDE you can also set the chip’s internal debug messages level, which is also useful if things are thrashing and crashing :grin:

Check out the Thread on making a production bin file. it has a good memory map, where you may find helpful how things are arranged or laid out.

partitions

bootloader

APP

SoftDevice

HTH

GL :slight_smile: PJ :v:

1 Like
9

It occurs to me that I can likely flash my xiao devices using a combination of my FTDI usb/serial converter and the Esptool application which I have installed on my laptop. And thank you for mentioning the “making a production bin file” thread. It looks interesting, if perhaps a bit daunting. - Take care - Jim