Issue Updating Firmware with cfclient - Stuck in Infinite Loop AIdeck

[gelanchez]

Hi,

I'm experiencing an issue when updating the firmware using the cfclient, following these instructions: Getting Started with AIdeck.

The console log shows an infinite loop of messages saying that it wasn't possible to open the camera on the GAP8. This message comes from the firmware I tried to flash (based on the example usage of the camera and WiFi transmission), but the process got stuck at 99%. I’ve noticed it usually gets stuck at either 99% or 3% when flashing over WiFi, so I always reflash the GAP8 bootloader (instructions here) and then reflash the firmware.

However, this time I’m stuck in an infinite loop and can't resolve the issue. What else can I try?

Many thanks,
Jose

[gelanchez]

Hi,

I found a way to escape the infinite loop by flashing a working GAP8 firmware via JTAG, which allows me to reflash the Crazyflie firmware using cfclient. However, I think the issue starts after flashing the GAP8 bootloader (instructions here), as I can’t get past 99%. Oddly enough, I was able to complete this procedure before, but it seems the bootloader might have become damaged.

The problem persists: when flashing over WiFi, it consistently gets stuck at 99%. To avoid the infinite loop, I flash a GAP8 firmware via JTAG that doesn't start the camera, but then cfclient firmware doesn't progress when trying to update the AIdeck firmware (it can't find the deck). I’ve tried several combinations: GAP8 bootloader via JTAG and Docker, CF firmware with cfclient, cold boot and GAP8 firmware over JTAG, and the furthest I’ve gotten is being stuck at 99% when using cfloader flashing.

Could you suggest anything else I can try? I’ve hit a dead end.

Thanks!

[gemenerik]

So you are still getting stuck at 99% while e.g. flashing the wifi example, even after reflashing the bootloader? Can you try a firmware update through the client with the AI-deck attached? This will flash the ESP32, too. Then retry flashing the wifi example for example.

[gelanchez]

Hi, @gemenerik. That doesn't work, it's part of the procedure I followed before. After updating the firmware with the AI-deck attached through the client, flashing the wifi example still gets stuck at 99%.

[Bananazooka]

Hi,
Have you tried this section of the tutorial? This will flash the firmware, not the bootloader.

[gelanchez]

Thanks, @Bananazooka, I've also tried those. After many attempts, I've narrowed down the steps that work and don't:

1. Flashing wifi-img-streamer over JTAG works and removes the infinite loop showed in the cfclient.
2. Flashing anything over radio always hangs up, usually at 99%. When that happens, following the tutorial on the Gap8 bootloader makes the infinite loop appear again when trying to flash the firmware with the cfclient (tutorial) (oddly enough the old code messages show up !!). In that case, I need to do step 1 again. If I just try flashing the firmware without touching the bootloader, that works, but the radio flashing problem doesn't get solved.

Is there anything else I can try to fix this flashing over radio problem?

Many thanks for all your help!

[gemenerik]

Hi José. I'm sorry to hear it's still not working. Please send us an e-mail at [email protected] and link this thread, we'll send you a replacement.