Ampy to transfer files to Pycom microcontroller

Introduction

This guide will demonstrate the use of thge Adafruit MicroPython tool (ampy) to load (put) and download (get) files and run code on a Pycom LoPy4 board connected to the serial port of the Raspberry Pi.

Authors

For more information contact Adam Simankowicz or Edmond Lascaris

References

• Micropython basics- Load and run code
• Ampy GitHub
• rshell alternative - not used

Updating Pycom Device Firmware

• It is very important to always keep the firmware on a microcontroller updated to the most current stable version.
• Firmware is equivalent to a small operating system pre-installed on a device that helps it perform its core functions.
• Updating firmware will help to resolve bugs, give you access to new features and fix security issues.
• In this lesson we will upgrade the firmware on the Pycom4 microcontroller using the Expansion Board version 3.1.
• Full details on how to complete the firmware upgrade are availa- ble at Updating Device Firmware (pycom.io)
• The updated was conducted on a MacOS 10.13.6

Updating Firmware on the Pycom4

• Plug the Pycom4 into the Pycom Expansion Board V3.1.
• Note that if you are using another Pycom device or expansion board you will need to refer to specific instructions for that setup.
• Download the Pycom Firmware updater tool (Mac, PC, Linux) from the URL below and install the software.

https://docs.pycom.io/updatefirmware/device/

• Connect the Pycom4/Expansion board to your computer and then start the Pycom Firmware updater software.
• In the Welcome screen ensure only the latest stable release is installed, not developmental releases.
• The latest version at the time of this writing is 1.16.6

• Follow any special setup instructions.

Communications settings

• The software should identify that the Pycom device is connected to the serial port (USB).
• Ensure that the following settings are selected then click Continue.

Pybytes resistration

• The following window will ask for Pybytes registration. Pybytes is an online programming tool for the Pycom microcontrollers.
• We will not be using this feature so press Skip.

Advanced settings

• The next window is the Advanced Settings.
• Include the following selections:
  • File System: LittleFS – filing system optimised for microcontrollers
  • Erase during update – reformat the memory using this file system
  • RESET Config and NVS partitions
  • LoRa Region – Australia and frequency AU915
• Then press Continue.

Upgrading

• The upgrade process will take less than one minute.

Successful update

• When completed the following output will be provided.
• It is not important to record these details, however you may wish to note down:
  • Firmware version (1.20.2.r6)
  • Device ID: 807D3A938770
  • LoRa MAC: 70B3D54990CFD875
• Click Done when finished.
• The Pycom board can then be disconnected from the computer.

Register the Pycom LoPy4 to The Things Network

The Things Network

• Go to The Things Network in Australia

https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/country/australia/

• Create and account and login.
• Enter the Console
• Select the region Australia

• Click on Goto Applications

• Click on Create Application

• Enter
  • Application ID
  • Application name
  • Description

Using Ampy to upload software to the Pycom

Installation of Ampy

sudo pip3 install adafruit-ampy

• To check that ampy has installed correct enter the following in the Terminal.

ampy --help

• To upgrade ampy to the latest version enter the code

sudo pip3 install adafruit-ampy --upgrade

Connecting to Pycom using Ampy

• To connect to the Pycom enter the following command:

ampy -p /dev/ttyACM0 ls

• Commands need to be entered one at a time.
• This command list the main directory on the Pycom /flash
• All files on the Pycom are found within this directory.
  • -p the Pycom on the Raspberry Pi is always connected to port /dev/ttyACM0

• To list all files and directories on the Pycom enter the command:

ampy -p /dev/ttyACM0 ls -l /flash

Get files from Pycom using Ampy

• Use the get command to copy files from the pycom.
• The following commands serves as an example to get the boot.py file from the Pycom to the host computer.
• The get command will always overwrite files on the computer without warning!

ampy -p /dev/ttyACM0 get /flash/boot.py /home/pi/boot_backup.py

• The get command without a destination file name will print the contents of the file.

ampy -p /dev/ttyACM0 get /flash/boot.py

Put files onto the Pycom using Ampy

• Put files onto the Pycom with the command:

ampy -p /dev/ttyACM0 put /home/pi/test.py /flash/test.py

Run code using Ampy

• You can copy code to the Pycom and then run the code.
• Save the following code in a file named /home/pi/test.py

print('Hello world! I can count to 100:')
for i in range(1,100):
    print(i)