You can upgrade firmware of Mixtile Core 3588E (hereinafter referred to as Core 3588E) using either an RK image or a raw image in Loader or MaskROM mode. This document describes how to upgrade the firmware of Core 3588E using a raw image on Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu in Loader and MaskROM modes.
Important:
Back up data before a firmware upgrade, because all user data is deleted after the firmware upgrade.
Note:
Core 3588E has three boot modes: Normal, Loader, and MaskROM. Loader and MaskROM modes are for firmware upgrade.
Preparations
Files
- Loader file (for firmware upgrade in MaskROM mode only)
- Raw image file
Upgrade tools
- Windows:
- macOS: upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac.zip
- Ubuntu: Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65.zip
Devices and accessories
- A Core 3588E board
- A carrier board that is compatible with Jetson TX2 NX (carrier board Leetop A206 is used in this document)
- A computer: Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu
- A micro USB cable
- A 2.54-mm jumper cap
Connect hardware
1. Fix Core 3588E onto the carrier board with the notch aligned. Then fasten the two screws.
2. Connect one end of the power adapter to the power jack of the carrier board and the other end to a live outlet.
3. Connect one end of the micro USB cable to the micro USB port of the carrier board and the other end to your computer.
Upgrade firmware in Loader mode (recommended)
On Windows
Step 1. Enable Core 3588E to enter Loader mode
Choose one of the following two options:
Option 1: Unplug the power adapter, use the jumper cap to connect the FCREC and GND pins, and plug the power adapter again.
Option 2: If your computer has ADB tool, you can use this method. Specifically, download RKDevTool.zip and open it with administrator access. Click the Upgrade Firmware tab and then the Switch button, as shown in the following figure. Then Core 3588E is switched to Loader mode.
Step 2. Download tools
2.1 Click RKDevTool.zip to download the upgrade tool. If you choose the second option in the previous step, you can skip this step.
2.2 Click DriverAssistant_v5.1.1.zip to download the driver. Unzip and run DriverInstall.exe.
Step 3. Upgrade raw image
3.1 Start the RKDevTool and select the Download Image tab. Right-click an item and choose Clear Items from the short-cut menu to clear unnecessary items.
3.2 Right-click an item and choose Add Item from the short-cut menu. Name this item as image. Click the blank cell of item image on the right, and select the raw image in the displayed dialog box.
3.3 Select Write by Address and the newly added item. Then click Run. The tool starts testing device and downloading image after testing success. Wait until Download image OK is displayed. Then, perform a power cycle of Core 3588E.
On macOS
Step 1. Enable Core 3588E to enter Loader mode
Choose one of the following two options:
Option 1: Unplug the power adapter, use the jumper cap to connect the FCREC and GND pins, and plug the power adapter again.
Option 2: If your computer has ADB tool, start a terminal and input adb reboot loader.
Step 2. Download the upgrade tool and grant permission to it
2.1 Click upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac.zip to download the upgrade tool.
2.2 Go to the folder upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac after unzipping the package. Grant permission to the tool by running the sudo chmod u+x upgrade_tool command.
2.3 Navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and allow this file to run on your computer.
Under the folder upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac, you can run the sudo ./upgrade_tool command to check whether Core 3588E has entered Loader mode. The following is an example of the command output:
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
List of rockusb connected
DevNo=1 Vid=0x2207,Pid=0x350b,LocationID=442 Mode=Loader SerialNo=4998310c6679ec2
Found 1 rockusb,Select input DevNo,Rescan press <R>,Quit press <Q>:Step 3. Upgrade raw image
3.1 Under the folder upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac, run the sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 [image path].img command. The following is an example:
sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 /Users/mia/Downloads/image-release-core3588e-ubuntu22-rc-0.0.1-231114.img
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
Write LBA from file (10%)3.2 After the terminal shows Write LBA from file (100%), run the following command to reset Core 3588E:
sudo ./upgrade_tool rdOn Ubuntu
Step 1. Enable Core 3588E to enter Loader mode
Choose one of the following two options:
Option 1: Unplug the power adapter, connect the FCREC and GND pins using the jumper cap, and plug the power adapter again.
Option 2: If your computer has ADB tool, start a terminal and input adb reboot loader.
Step 2. Download the upgrade tool and grant permission to it
2.1 Click Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65.zip to download the upgrade tool.
2.2 Go to the folder Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65 after unzipping the package. Grant permission to the tool by running the chmod u+x upgrade_tool command.
Under the folder Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65, you can run the sudo ./upgrade_tool command to check whether Core 3588E has entered Loader mode. The following is an example of the command output:
Program Data in /usr/local/bin
List of rockusb connected
DevNo=1 Vid=0x2207,Pid=0x350b,LocationID=27 Mode=Loader SerialNo=4998310c6679ec2
Found 1 rockusb,Select input DevNo,Rescan press <R>,Quit press <Q>:Step 3. Upgrade firmware
3.1 Under the folder Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65, run the sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 [image path].img command. The following is an example:
sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 /media/psf/Home/Downloads/image-release-core3588e-ubuntu22-rc-0.0.1-231114.img3.2 After the terminal shows Write LBA from file (100%), run the following command to reset Core 3588E:
sudo ./upgrade_tool rdUpgrade firmware in MaskROM mode
On Windows
Step 1. Enable Core 3588E to enter MaskROM mode
1.1 Unplug the power adapter from the carrier board.
1.2 Keep short-circuiting the two solder joints on Core 3588E, and plug the power adapter again.
Step 2. Download the upgrade tool
Click RKDevTool.zip to download the upgrade tool.
Step 3. Configure the loader file and raw image
3.1 Start RKDevTool and select the Download Image tab. Right-click an item and choose Clear Items from the short-cut menu to clear unnecessary items.
3.2 Click the blank cell of Loader on the right. In the dialog box that is displayed, select the target loader file.
3.3 Right-click an item and choose Add Item from the short-cut menu. Name this item as image. Click the blank cell of item image on the right, and select the raw image in the displayed dialog box.
3.4 Select EMMC for Storage, and select the two items Loader and image.
3.5 Select Write by Address and click Run.
The tool starts upgrading firmware, which takes a few minutes. Wait until the tool shows Download image OK.
On macOS
Step 1. Enable Core 3588E to enter MaskROM mode
1.1 Unplug the power adapter from the carrier board.
1.2 Keep short-circuiting the two solder joints on Core 3588E, and plug the power adapter again.
Step 2. Download the upgrade tool and grant permission to it
2.1 Click upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac.zip to download the upgrade tool.
2.2 Go to the folder upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac after unzipping the package. Grant permission to upgrade_tool by running the command sudo chmod u+x upgrade_tool.
2.3 Navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and allow this file to run on your computer.
Under the folder upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac, you can run sudo ./upgrade_tool to check whether Core 3588E has entered MaskROM mode. The following is an example of the command output:
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
List of rockusb connected
DevNo=1 Vid=0x2207,Pid=0x350b,LocationID=442 Mode=Maskrom SerialNo=4998310c6679ec2
Found 1 rockusb,Select input DevNo,Rescan press <R>,Quit press <Q>:Step 3. Upgrade firmware
3.1 Under the folder upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac, run the following commands:
sudo ./upgrade_tool db [loader path]/rk3588_spl_loader_v1.07.111.bin
sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 [image path].imgThe following is an example:
sudo ./upgrade_tool db /Users/mia/Downloads/rk3588_spl_loader_v1.07.111.bin
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
Download boot ok.sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 /Users/mia/Downloads/image-release-core3588e-ubuntu22-rc-0.0.1-231114.img
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
Write LBA from file (30%)3.2 After the terminal shows Write LBA from file (100%), run the following command to reset Core 3588E:
sudo ./upgrade_tool rdOn Ubuntu
Step 1. Enable Core 3588E to enter MaskROM mode
1.1 Unplug the power adapter from the carrier board.
1.2 Keep short-circuiting the two solder joints on Core 3588E, and plug the power adapter again.
Step 2. Download the upgrade tool and grant permission to it
2.1 Click Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65.zip to download the upgrade tool.
2.2 Go to the folder Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65 after unzipping the package. Grant permission to the tool by running the sudo chmod u+x upgrade_tool command.
Under the folder Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65, you can run the sudo ./upgrade_tool command to check whether Core 3588E has entered MaskROM mode. The following is an example of the command output:
Program Data in /usr/local/bin
List of rockusb connected
DevNo=1 Vid=0x2207,Pid=0x350b,LocationID=27 Mode=Maskrom SerialNo=4998310c6679ec2
Found 1 rockusb,Select input DevNo,Rescan press <R>,Quit press <Q>:Step 3. Upgrade raw image
3.1 Go to the folder Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65 after unzipping the package, and run the following commands to start upgrading firmware:
sudo ./upgrade_tool db [loader path].bin
sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 [image path].imgThe following is an example:
sudo ./upgrade_tool db /media/psf/Home/Downloads/rk3588_spl_loader_v1.07.111.bin
Not found config.ini
Program Data in /usr/local/bin
Download boot ok.sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 /media/psf/Home/Downloads/image-release-core3588e-ubuntu22-rc-0.0.1-231114.img
Not found config.ini
Program Data in /usr/local/bin
Write LBA from file (3%)3.2 After the terminal shows Write LBA from file (100%), run the following command to reset Core 3588E:
sudo ./upgrade_tool rd