Upgrade Firmware via USB Cable

Prepare the Firmware and Upgrade Tools

Required Equipment

• RK182X Developer Kit development board
• Firmware
• Host computer
• Type-A Cable

The firmware can be obtained by compiling the SDK or downloaded as public unified firmware from the resource download page.

Firmware Formats

There are two types of firmware files:

• A single unified firmware: a single file containing the partition table, bootloader, uboot, kernel, system, and other partitions. Upgrading it updates all partition data and erases the existing data on the board.
• Multiple partition images: independent files such as the partition table, bootloader, and kernel. An individual image updates only its corresponding partition, which is useful during development.

The unified firmware packing tool can unpack a unified firmware into partition images or merge partition images into a unified firmware.

Install the Upgrade Tool

Windows

1. Download Release_DriverAssistant.zip, extract it, and run DriverInstall.exe.
2. Select Driver uninstall first, then select Driver install so all devices use the updated driver.

3. Download AndroidTool separately, extract it, and run RKDevTool.exe in the RKDevTool_Release_v2.xx directory. On Windows 7/8, run it as administrator.

To avoid version-related burning problems, use the tool packaged inside the public firmware package when possible:

ITX-3588J_Android12_HDMI_220308
├── ITX-3588J_Android12_HDMI_220308.img
├── linux
│   └── Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65.zip
└── windows
    ├── DriverAssitant_v5.1.1.zip
    └── RKDevTool_Release_v2.84.zip

Linux

Linux does not require a device driver.

Install Linux_Upgrade_Tool so it can be called from any directory:

unzip Linux_Upgrade_Tool_xxxx.zip
cd Linux_UpgradeTool_xxxx
sudo mv upgrade_tool /usr/local/bin
sudo chown root:root /usr/local/bin/upgrade_tool
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/upgrade_tool

Install Linux_adb_fastboot:

sudo mv adb /usr/local/bin
sudo chown root:root /usr/local/bin/adb
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/adb

sudo mv fastboot /usr/local/bin
sudo chown root:root /usr/local/bin/fastboot
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/fastboot

Enter and Check MaskRom Mode

The RK182X development kit does not provide a Loader mode. USB firmware upgrades use the board's MaskRom key.

Enter MaskRom Mode

1. Disconnect the development kit from the power supply.
2. Set the USB SEL switch to 1.
3. Connect the OTG port to the host computer with a Type-A data cable.
4. Press and hold the board's MaskRom key.
5. Power on the development kit while holding the key.
6. Check the upgrade tool for a MaskRom device.
7. Release the key after the device is detected.

Check MaskRom Mode

Windows

AndroidTool should display a MaskRom device in the device list. If the device is not detected, check the USB driver, the Type-A data cable, the USB SEL switch, and the OTG connection.

Linux

Run upgrade_tool and check whether the connected device is listed as MaskRom:

sudo upgrade_tool

Write the Firmware

Windows

Write a Unified Firmware - update.img

1. Switch to the Upgrade Firmware page.
2. Click Firmware and open the firmware file.
3. Click Upgrade to start writing.
4. If the upgrade fails, click EraseFlash first and then upgrade again.

Write Partition Images

1. Switch to the Download Image page.
2. Select the partitions to write.
3. Confirm that each image path is correct.
4. Click Run. The device restarts automatically after the upgrade.

Linux

Write a Unified Firmware - update.img

sudo upgrade_tool uf update.img

If the upgrade fails, erase the flash and try again:

# The ef parameter requires a bootloader file or the corresponding update.img.
sudo upgrade_tool ef update.img
sudo upgrade_tool uf update.img

Write Partition Images

sudo upgrade_tool di -b /path/to/boot.img
sudo upgrade_tool di -r /path/to/recovery.img
sudo upgrade_tool di -m /path/to/misc.img
sudo upgrade_tool di -u /path/to/uboot.img
sudo upgrade_tool di -dtbo /path/to/dtbo.img
sudo upgrade_tool di -p parameter
sudo upgrade_tool ul bootloader.bin

If the upgrade fails because of flash errors, try low-level formatting and erasing the eMMC:

sudo upgrade_tool lf update.img
sudo upgrade_tool ef update.img

Fastboot Dynamic Partitions

adb reboot fastboot
sudo fastboot flash vendor vendor.img
sudo fastboot flash system system.img
sudo fastboot reboot