Introduction

The firmware on the BV513 can be updated or modified through the USB interface using a serial connection. The firmware consists of three parts:

  1. The boot loader
  2. The Micro-BOS
  3. The Application (PIC32-Basic)

The boot loader is used to load Micro-BOS using the USB serial interface and this in turn is used to load the Application (PIC32-Basic). The boot loader is unique to the BV513 and cannot be replaced or modified, it is in protected flash and the only way to erase it is by using a PIC programmer. See the section on PICkit 2 further down.

Reloading Micro-BOS Using USB

NOTE It is unlikely that you will ever need to reload the Micro-BOS.
If you have damaged the application (PIC32-Basic). For example by creating an endless loop and saving it as auto in Flash then you do not need to reload Micro-BOS, you only need to reload the application, this is describe in the PIC32-Basic section here.

This is a repeat of the text that can be found in the BV513 hardware guide and describes how to re-load the Micro-BOS using the USB and boot loader program. The Micro-BOS hex file will be needed.

  1. Power up the BV513 as normal, connect to the USB and BV-COM terminal. Make sure com settings are 115,200 Baud, TWO stop bits 8 data bits. Most of the time the stop bits don’t matter and the BV513 normally works best with 1 stop bit, however for downloading firmware two stop its are required.
    Starting screenshot

  2. In the text transfer settings make sure that the ‘End of line wait for character’ check box is ticked and that it is set for 6
    Text transfer screenshot

  3. Short pins 2-3 on jumper 7 together.

  4. Click the reset icon. reset icon There will now be a #? prompt at the screen.

  5. Press the # key and there will be a ‘>’ prompt. At this point all of the Flash has now been erased, there is no Micro-BOS or PIC32-Basic. If something goes wrong repeat from step 2

  6. From the BV-Com menu > File > Send Text File.. Select the bv513_mbos.hex file and this will begin to download.
    The file takes a few minutes to complete using BV-Com and there is a progress bar to indicate the amount of data downloaded.
    Micro-Bos downloaded
    Micro-BOS Downloaded
    When the download has finished the Micro-BOS menu is available

  7. Remove the Short from pin 2-3 of Jumper

Using the PICKit 2

WARNING: Using a PIC programmer will erase the boot loader and this is not supplied as user firmware. If Micro-BOS or PIC32-Basic is not required then go-ahead. the ONLY way to restore the boot loader is by sending the BV513 back to ByVac for it to be installed. Currently this will be done free of charge but you will have to pay for the postage.

The BV513 has a programming connector that consists of 5 pins, details are on this page. The connection is basically a 1 to 1 with the PICKit, pin 1 is the square pin on the BV511 and it is the pin marked with a white triangle on the PICKit. You will need the PICKit 2 programmer; load into it the Micro-BOS file and program in the normal way.

Loading the Application

When Micro-BOS is successfully loaded it will present a menu as in the screenshot above. The full details on how programs can be loaded are covered in the Micro-BOS section of this site.