Updating Firmware

Freaq FM firmware can be updated via USB using a 3rd-party application such as AVRdude to upload the firmware to the Arduino Nano. You can also use other arduino-compatible uploaders such as the Arduino IDE or Xloader (both use avrdude under the covers).

XLoader (PC) | Avrdude (PC) | Avrdude (OSX)

NOTE: Wirehead Instruments do not support these 3rd party programs and is not liable for any issues caused by their use, including failure to operate correctly, any malware or issues with your PC. Please only use trusted sources when running executable programs on your computer (eg Arduino IDE).

Xloader (PC)

  • Download the latest firmware here

  • Download Xloader from github here

  • Extract all files to a folder on your PC

  • Run XLoader.exe

  • Select the firmware file you downloaded above and the COM port your Freaq FM is connected to.

  • IMPORTANT:

    • Baud rate must be set to 57600. (If your unit is a Meebleeps Freaq FM purchased in 2022, use 115200 baud)

    • Device should be set to Uno

  • Press Upload

  • XLoader will display “Uploading”.

  • Wait while the program uploads (unforunately there is no feedback on progress)

  • If successful, Xloader will display the number of bytes uploaded and the Freaq FM will reboot.

Avrdude (PC)

  • Download the latest firmware here

  • Download AVRdude from github here

  • Extract all files to a folder on your PC

  • Open a Command Prompt and navigate to the folder containing AVRdude and the firmware file

  • Connect the Freaq FM’s USB port to your computer and wait for it to turn on

    • To see all active USB serial ports on your computer (eg COM1, COM4 etc), type this into the Command Prompt:

mode

  • Execute the following command:

avrdude -v -patmega328p -carduino -PCOM4 -b57600 -D -Uflash:w:"E:\Temp\MeeBleeps Freaq FM\FreaqFM_111_20230125.hex":i

  • IMPORTANT: Be sure to replace COM4 with the serial port assigned by your PC, and the “E:\Temp…” with the location of the firmware file on your PC

  • If your unit is a Meebleeps Freaq FM purchased in 2022, replace 57600 with 115200

  • Hit Enter. If the port and file are correct, AVRdude will begin uploading the firmware to the Freaq FM

  • When finished you should see something similar to this in the Command Prompt (actual number of bytes will vary between versions)

avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

avrdude: device signature = 0x1e950f (probably m328p)

avrdude: reading input file E:\Temp\MeeBleeps Freaq FM\FreaqFM_111_20230125.hex for flash

with 26184 bytes in 1 section within [0, 0x6647]

using 205 pages and 56 pad bytes

avrdude: writing 26184 bytes flash ...

Writing | ################################################## | 100% 8.21 s

avrdude: 26184 bytes of flash written

avrdude: verifying flash memory against E:\Temp\MeeBleeps Freaq FM\FreaqFM_111_20230125.hex

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 6.22 s

avrdude: 26184 bytes of flash verified

avrdude done. Thank you.

  • The Freaq FM will reboot as soon as the upload is complete.

  • Success! Resume bleeping!

Avrdude (OSX)

  • Download the latest firmware here

  • Download and install the Arduino IDE from here

  • Connect the Freaq FM’s USB port to your computer and wait for it to turn on

  • Open a Terminal and use this command to find the Freaq’s USB port (note that is a vertical line/pipe character before grep, not a lower case L)

ls /dev/ |grep tty.usbserial

  • you should see something like this in the results:

/dev/tty.usbserial-1410

  • Adapt the following command by adapting the path to avrdude, the firmware and the port and run it in the Terminal

avrdude -v -patmega328p -carduino -P/dev/tty.usbserial-2120 -b57600 -D -Uflash:w:"/Users/USERNAME/Downloads/FreaqFM_112_20230209.hex":i

  • IMPORTANT: Be sure to replace /dev/tty.usbserial-2120 with the serial port assigned, and the “/Users/USERNAME/Downloads…” with the location of the firmware file on your mac

  • If your unit is a Meebleeps Freaq FM purchased in 2022, replace -b57600 with -b115200

  • Hit Return. If the port and file are correct, AVRdude will begin uploading the firmware to the Freaq FM

  • When finished you should see something similar to this in the Terminal (actual number of bytes will vary between versions)

avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

avrdude: device signature = 0x1e950f (probably m328p)

avrdude: reading input file E:\Temp\MeeBleeps Freaq FM\FreaqFM_111_20230125.hex for flash

with 26184 bytes in 1 section within [0, 0x6647]

using 205 pages and 56 pad bytes

avrdude: writing 26184 bytes flash ...

Writing | ################################################## | 100% 8.21 s

avrdude: 26184 bytes of flash written

avrdude: verifying flash memory against E:\Temp\MeeBleeps Freaq FM\FreaqFM_111_20230125.hex

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 6.22 s

avrdude: 26184 bytes of flash verified

avrdude done. Thank you.The Freaq FM will reboot as soon as the upload is complete.

  • Success! Resume bleeping!