gpsflash(1)
NAME
gpsflash - 2-stage firmware loader for GPS chipsets
SYNOPSIS
gpsflash [-n] [-l loader-file] -f firmware-file {tty}
DESCRIPTION
This program is a firmware loader for GPSes connected to your host
computer via serial or USB port. Presently it supports only SiRF GPSes.
Other GPSes may be supported in the future if the vendors cooperate.
For operation, this program requires a flashloader binary (found by
default in a file named dlgsp2.bin) and a firmware image. This program
first ships a command that tells the GPS a flashloader image will
follow, then gives the GPS time to reboot into the flashloader. The
flashloader then accepts S-records from the serial or USB port until it
sees a termination record, at which point it writes the new firmware
into the GPSīs non-volatile memory and reboots the chip into the new
firmware.
There is one required argument, specifying the serial device to which
the GPS is connected.
The -l option specifies the flashloader binary. The -f option specifies
the firmware image file, and is required unless you are just probing
the GPS (-n option).
If the -n option is specified, the program will probe the GPS to try to
determine its type and whether the upload is compatible, but not
actually perform the upload. When this option is specified, the -f
option is not required.
You will need to obtain your own copy of dlgsp2.bin and your own
firmware image. The GPSD project does not yet have permission to
distribute these files, so donīt ask us for copies.
Depending on your GPS type, this program may or may not attempt to
check that the flashloader or firmware image is compatible with your
GPS; in some cases no check is possible. EXPERIMENT AT YOUR OWN RISK.
This program will only work with firmware images in S-record format,
which is the form SiRF normally distributes them in. If you get a
binary firmware image from somewhere, you can use objdump(1), from the
GNU binutils to convert it to S-records.
Realize that we are not kidding around when we say that this could very
well break your receiver permanently, and if it does, itīs no oneīs
fault but your own. For this program to flash your GPS, you must set an
environment variable called I_READ_THE_WARNING with the value "why oh
why didnīt i take the blue pill".
This program emits progress messages to standard output.
The GPS will be reset to 4800bps NMEA after flash.
BUGS AND LIMITAIONS
Warning
THIS PROGRAM CAN DESTROY YOUR GPS. A botched firmware upload will turn
it into a paperweight. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Maintainers are not
responsible for direct or incidental damages. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
SEE ALSO
gpsd(8), cgps(1), libgps(3), libgpsd(3), srec(5).
AUTHOR
Chris Kuethe <chris.kuethe@gmail.com>. There is a project page for gpsd
here[1].
NOTES
- 1. here
- http://gpsd.berlios.de/