MCU UART firmware upgrade process

Microcontroller is one of the most basic and commonly used chip types in embedded systems. With the continuous development of technology, the functions and performance of microcontrollers have been increasingly improved, and the size and complexity of firmware are also increasing. In order to ensure the normal operation of the microcontroller, its firmware needs to be upgraded. This article will introduce the basic process of upgrading firmware for microcontroller UART.

1. Determine the upgrade method

There are usually many ways to upgrade the firmware of microcontrollers, including serial port, USB, SD card, etc. Among them, serial port upgrade is the most commonly used method. Data transmission can be achieved through the two signal lines of TX and RX on the pins, which has the advantages of simplicity, convenience, and speed.

2. Preparation

Before upgrading the microcontroller UART, some preparations need to be done. First of all, you need to prepare computers, microcontroller chips, and related software and hardware tools. Secondly, you need to check the data manual of the microcontroller chip to determine the firmware version and upgrade method that need to be upgraded, and download the upgrade-related program code and data to the computer.

3. Determine the upgrade mode

When upgrading the UART of the microcontroller, it is necessary to determine the upgrade mode of the chip. Most microcontrollers support two upgrade modes: ISP mode and IAP mode. The ISP mode downloads the firmware into the chip through the serial port for upgrade, while the IAP mode downloads the firmware into the memory outside the chip, and then writes the firmware into the chip through program control for upgrade.

4. Connect the microcontroller and computer

Before upgrading the UART of the microcontroller, you need to connect the microcontroller to the computer. The specific connection method includes using a USB to TTL serial port cable to connect the TX and RX pins of the microcontroller, or using an RS232 serial port cable to connect the microcontroller and the computer. After connection, you need to check whether the serial port connection is correct, and set the baud rate, data bits, stop bits, check bits and other parameters of the serial port.

5. Download the upgrade program

Downloading the upgrade program of the microcontroller is a key step in upgrading the UART of the microcontroller. The specific method of downloading the program depends on the chip model and development environment. Normally, you need to use a burner or emulator to download the upgrade program to the chip.

6. Start the upgrade

After completing all the above preparations, you can start upgrading the UART of the microcontroller. Specific steps include: Open the upgrade software, select the correct chip model and upgrade mode, set the upgrade parameters, click the "Start Upgrade" button, and wait for the upgrade to be completed.

In short, upgrading the UART firmware of the microcontroller is a necessary step to ensure the normal operation of the microcontroller. Mastering the upgrade process and precautions can effectively improve the efficiency and safety of the microcontroller.