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Device Firmware Setup

Outdated: this section documents The Things Network V2, which is no longer maintained. See the documentation for The Things Stack V3, or browse the V2 docs index.

Note: Skip this section if you have a V3.0.0.0 RAK811 Firmware or newer, for it has a bootloader preloaded already.

Burn the latest firmware #

  • Download the latest firmware here in order to avoid potential problems.
  • To start with the firmware burning, download and install the STM32CubeProgrammer tool here
  • Then, configure your RAK811 by jumping the “BOOT” pin and “VCC” pin for boot mode then connect RX, TX, VCC, and GND with a USB-UART tool, as the following pictures shown below:

Figure 1: RAK811 Pinout

Figure 2: USB-UART

  • Choose the correct port number in the COM Port field. You can check this in the Device Manager. You can also check this document on how to properly interface your RAK811 Breakout Board with your Computer.

Figure 3: Device Manager

  • Open the “STM32CubeProgrammer” tool.

  • Select UART type; go to COM Port and look for your RAK811 LoRa® Breakout Module COM Port (ex. COM5).

  • Configure the Baud Rate and Parity.

Figure 4: SMT32Cubeprogrammer

  • Then, press the “Connect” button at the top right corner.

Note: If there are some errors in the Log box or it can’t connect, just close SMT32Cubeprogrammer, and reinsert the RAK811 LoRa® Breakout Module again and reopen the SMT32Cubeprogrammer and connect.

Now, let’s start burning the bootloader into the RAK811 LoRa® Breakout Module.

  • First, ERASE all data on the RAK811 LoRa® Breakout Module referred from the following picture below:

Figure 5: Erase Data

  • Press “Open file” and select the bootloader file in the pop-up window.
  • Click the “Download” button to start the burning process.

Figure 6: Firmware Downloading

  • OK, you have burned the firmware into RAK811 LoRa® Breakout Module successfully!

Figure 7: Firmware Download Complete

  • “Disconnect” and close the “STM32CubeProgrammer” tool. Then, disconnect BOOT pin and VCC pin to let RAK811 LoRa® Breakout Module work in normal mode.
  • Pull out and reinsert the USB interface into your PC. If you have opened the serial port tool, you can see some content like this:

Figure 8: Serial Boot

Alright! You can now start burning the upgraded firmware into the RAK811 LoRa® Breakout Module.