How to Update Flight Controller Firmware with MissionPlanner
I. Principle
Flashing firmware is essentially the process of updating or replacing the operating system software for the flight controller, similar to upgrading a phone's system or performing a factory reset. By flashing the latest firmware, users can:
- Fix issues: Resolve various abnormalities caused by software faults in the flight controller.
- Update features: Introduce new features, improve flight stability, optimize flight modes, and enhance the user interface.
- Enhance performance: Optimize the flight controller's response speed and overall performance for a smoother flying experience.
This tutorial primarily introduces firmware flashing methods based on the MissionPlanner ground control station (GCS), including local and network flashing operations.
II. Equipment Preparation
Before proceeding with firmware flashing, ensure you have the following equipment and tools:
- Flight controller equipment
Important
Ensure the flight controller is not connected to any peripherals (GPS, VTX, receiver, ESC, battery, etc.) to maintain device integrity.
- Computer and software
- Install the official version of MissionPlanner ground control station (GCS). Installation tutorials for different versions of MissionPlanner GCS:
- If using local flashing: Download and prepare the required firmware files in advance.
Important
You can download from the common software and firmware download page:
https://docs.corewing.com/plane/software/common-software/corewing-software-and-firmware-downloads.html
- Data cable
- Use a USB data cable (Note: Use a single USB data cable, avoid using dual Type-C data cables).
III. Specific Operations
Firmware flashing operations are divided into two scenarios:
- Local flashing of ArduPilot firmware
- Network flashing of ArduPilot firmware
The following provides detailed explanations of these two scenarios.
3.1 Local Flashing of ArduPilot Firmware
Suitable for environments without network access, or when faster, more stable flashing is required.
Operation steps:
1) Core step: Connect the flight controller to the computer via USB data cable, but do not click the connection button in the upper right corner of the interface.
2) Open the Mission Planner ground control station, click 初始设置, and enter the firmware installation interface.
3) Click Load custom firmware, select the file with the .apj suffix, and click Open.
4) Firmware is loading and upgrading.
5) Firmware upgrade completed.
6) Click 连接. If the connection is successful, it indicates the firmware has been successfully upgraded. Check in the [Flight Controller Information] interface whether the firmware version number matches the target version.
3.2 Network Flashing of ArduPilot Firmware
1) Core step**: Connect the flight controller to the computer via USB data cable, but do not click the connection button in the upper right corner of the interface**.
2) Open the Mission Planner ground control station, click 初始设置, and enter the firmware installation interface.
3) Select Plane V4.X.X OFFICIAL firmware.
4) Click Yes.
5) Select CoreWingF405WINGV2 / SpeedyBeeF405WING, and click Upload Firmware.
Important
CoreWing F405 WING V2 selects CoreWingF405WINGV2 firmware, SpeedyBee F405 WING APP/MINI selects SpeedyBeeF405WING firmware.
6) Wait for firmware download.
7) Firmware upgrade completed.
8) Click 连接. If the connection is successful, it indicates the firmware has been successfully upgraded. Check in the [Flight Controller Information] interface whether the firmware version number matches the target version.
IV. Q&A
Q: What precautions should be taken when importing local firmware for upgrading?
A: When using MissionPlanner ground control station for firmware upgrading, note that the file suffix must be .apj files.
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