In MaskROM Mode, you can upgrade firmware of Mixtile Blade 3 (hereinafter referred to as Blade 3) using a raw image. This document describes how to upgrade the firmware of Blade 3 using a raw image on Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu.
Important:
Back up data before a firmware upgrade, because all user data is deleted after the firmware upgrade.
Note:
Blade 3 has three boot modes: Normal, Loader, and MaskROM. Loader and MaskROM modes are for firmware upgrade.
Preparations
Files
- loader file
- Raw firmware file: ubuntu-22.04.2-preinstalled-desktop-arm64-mixtile-blade3.img.xz
Upgrade tools
- Windows: RKDevTool_Release_v3.19.zip
- macOS: upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac.zip
- Ubuntu: Linux_Upgrade_Tool.zip
Devices and accessories
- A Blade 3 board
- A computer: Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu
- A USB-C cable
Connect hardware
Connect hardware of Blade 3 by following instructions in Set up connections.
On Windows
Steps 1. Enable Blade 3 to enter MaskROM mode
Turn the position 4 of the SPST four-position dip switch to ON. Then Blade 3 enters MaskROM mode for firmware development.
Step 2. Download the upgrade tool
Click RKDevTool_Release_v3.19.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.
3.4 Click the blank cell of item image and select the raw firmware in the displayed dialog box. Then select EMMC for Storage.
Step 4. Perform the upgrade
4.1 Select the two items Loader and image.
4.2 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
Steps 1. Enable Blade 3 to enter MaskROM mode
Turn the position 4 of the SPST four-position dip switch to ON. Then Blade 3 enters MaskROM mode for firmware development.
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 tool to run on your computer.
Step 3. Upgrade raw firmware
3.1 Under the folder upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac, run the following commands:
sudo ./upgrade_tool db [your path]/rk3588_spl_loader_v1.08.111.bin
sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 [your path]/ubuntu-22.04.2-preinstalled-desktop-arm64-mixtile-blade3.imgThe following is an example:
sudo ./upgrade_tool db /Users/mia/Downloads/rk3588_spl_loader_v1.08.111.bin
Password:
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
Download boot ok.sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 /Users/mia/Downloads/ubuntu-22.04.2-preinstalled-desktop-arm64-mixtile-blade3.img
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
Write LBA from file (30%)3.2 After the preceding operations complete, run the following command to reset Blade 3:
sudo ./upgrade_tool rdOn Ubuntu
Steps 1. Enable Blade 3 to enter MaskROM mode
Turn the position 4 of the SPST four-position dip switch to ON. Then Blade 3 enters MaskROM mode for firmware development.
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.
Step 3. Upgrade raw firmware
3.1 Under the folder Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.65, run the following commands:
sudo ./upgrade_tool db [your path]/rk3588_spl_loader_v1.08.111.bin
sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 [your path]/ubuntu-22.04.2-preinstalled-desktop-arm64-mixtile-blade3.imgThe following is an example:
sudo ./upgrade_tool db /Users/mia/Downloads/rk3588_spl_loader_v1.08.111.bin
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
Download boot ok.sudo ./upgrade_tool wl 0x0 /Users/mia/Desktop/ubuntu-22.04.2-preinstalled-desktop-arm64-mixtile-blade3.img
Program Log will save in the /Users/mia/upgrade_tool/log/
Write LBA from file (46%)3.2 After the preceding operations complete, run the following command to reset Blade 3:
sudo ./upgrade_tool rd