The Quadrino is essentially an Arduino Nano board with integrated sensors and MultiWii pin assignments. The Arduino is:
"...an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments!"
This is not the easy way! This tutorial details flashing through the Arduino Development Environment. Unless you are an advanced user you should be using the Firmware Config Tool.
You can read more about the Arduino environment at arduino.cc, but that is not why you are here...you want to reflash your Quadrino to the latest version of MultiWii...so let's get started! We will go through the following steps to updating your Quadrino:
- Download and install the latest Arduino IDE version (1.0.1 as of this writing) from arduino.cc web site. We may need to install a usb driver if you use a Windows version earlier than Vista and you are plugging in the Quadrino for the first time.
- Download and unpack the latest MultiWii firmware from the flyingeinstein.com site for your model and board version.
- Load the firmware files into the Arduino software.
- Select the arduino board type (Nano w/ ATmega328)
- With the Quadrino plugged into USB, click the firmware download (program) button
Downloading the Arduino Development Environment
You should use version 1.0 or 1.0.1 of the Arduino IDE. Earlier versions may still work but will not use more optimized routines in the newer Arduino code. For all downloads go to Arduino download page. For the Windows or Mac version click below.
Linux Arduino 1.0 (32bit) or (64bit)
Installing the Arduino Development Environment files
The arduino sofware doesnt have a typical install program. You will have to manually unpack the arduino IDE files into the program files directory (windows) or applications folder (Mac). You can install the arduino app in any folder you choose. By the way, parts of this install process has been plagiarized from the Arduino Getting Started (Windows or Mac) page to make things easier for you.
MAC OSX: The disk image (.dmg) should mount automatically. If it doesn't, double-click it. It should look like the following image. Drag the Arduino.app to the Applications folder. Keep this DMG mounted, we will have to install the FTDI drivers next.
Plugging in the Quadrino for the First Time (Installing USB Drivers)
On some operating systems you may be required to download and install USB drivers. If you have already used MultiWiiConfig to configure your Quadrino then you must have are already performed this step and you can skip to Downloading Firmware. You can also safely burn the firmware if you have installed a bluetooth module and have it operational. Uploading firmware on the Quadrino is a safe operation. A failed firmware upload will not brick the Quadrino, you can start the upload again. However, once an upload is initiated you will have to finish a successful upload before the Quadrino will function properly again.
Windows
1. Find a USB cable, you will need one with a mini-B end on it.
2. Plug the Quadrino into the computer. The Quadrino will use power from the USB port so you should see the Quadrino power up and the yellow STATUS light blink quickly then go off. The blue STABLE light may also come on.
Windows will now initiate the driver installation process:
On Windows Vista & 7 the driver should automatically download and install! (Really! It works!) If you see a com port number like "COM5" mark down the number, you will need that later.
On Windows XP the Add New Hardware Wizard will pop up:
Before proceeding, download the latest version of the FTDI232 drivers from the FTDI website if you are running an earlier version of Windows than Vista.
- When asked "Can Windows connect to Windows Update" to search for software? select "No, not this time". Click next.
- Select "Install from a list or specified location (Advanced)" and click next.
- Make sure that "Search for the best driver in these locations" is checked; uncheck "Search removable media"; check "Include this location in the search" and browse to the drivers/FTDI USB Drivers directory that you downloaded. (The latest version of the drivers can be found on the FTDI website.) Click next.
- The wizard will search for the driver and then tell you that a "USB Serial Converter" was found. Click finish.
- The new hardware wizard will appear again. Go through the same steps and select the same options and location to search. This time, a "USB Serial Port" will be found. If you see a com port number like "COM5" mark down the number, you will need that later.
You can check that the drivers have been installed by opening the Windows Device Mananger (in the Hardware tab of System control panel). Look for a "USB Serial Port" in the Ports section; that's the Arduino board.
Mac OSX
You will need to install the drivers for the FTDI chip on the board. Double-click the FTDIUSBSerialDriver_xxxx.mpkg icon in the dmg image you downloaded and follow the instructions in the installer. You'll need to restart your computer after installing the drivers. (The latest version of the drivers can be found on the FTDI website.) Again, if you've already configured the Quadrino through MultiWiiConf then you must have already done the driver installation and you can skip this step.
Downloading the latest Quadrino Firmware
To find out which version of the Quadrino you have, use the Firmware Upgrades menu link above and follow the pictures to determine your model, sensors and version.
Download the latest firmware for the Quadrino. Firmware is a term used to refer to "the software that runs on the chip on the electronic board". You can also use code direct from the MultiWii repository but you will have to manually set the configuration settings for the Quadrino. To get the most from the features of the Quadrino you should use our prepared firmware.
Unpack the zip file you downloaded to a directory. Now go back to the Arduino application menu and select File | Open. browse to the location of the firmware you unpacked and select/open the MultiWii-----.ino file (example below). Now OK the open dialog window and you should see all the source files loaded into the Arduino application as text files. You are now ready to upload the firmware to the Quadrino!
Setting up the Arduino Environment
Since this is your first time using the Arduino Environment you must select the board type. The Quadrino is based on a Arduino Nano which uses an ATmega328 microchip. So from the application menu select Tools | Board and select "Arduino Nano w/ ATmega328" from the list.
Not selecting the proper board will result in getting an OUT OF SYNC error when uploading.
Programming the Quadrino
Hit the Upload button on the arduino application toolbar, the button is circled in red below. After a few seconds, you should see a line in the status area of the arduino application stating the Binary sketch size and the TX/RX lights on the Quadrino should start blinking rapidly. It will take about 20 seconds for the firmware to download. You may be prompted for the Serial port as stated below.
Advanced Users: Before clicking upload, you may at this step want to edit settings in the Config.h file that is already open in the Arduino editor (scroll the tabs to the right). All the Quadrino features are already enabled so this isnt required if you use our prepared firmware packages.
After clicking Upload you may be prompted to select the Serial port the Quadrino is connected to. During the driver installation process above it should have stated the COM port number. If you missed it don't worry, selecting the wrong port will produce an error and you can try another port by clicking the upload button again.
That's it! You are ready to proceed into MultiWii Config application and configure your new firmware!
Note: You must use the same version of MultiWiiConfig that matches your firmware. Most MulitiWiiConfig versions are not backwards compatible.