PX4 User Guide (v1.12)

# Bootloader Flashing onto Betaflight Systems

This page documents how to flash the PX4 bootloader onto boards preflashed with Betaflight (e.g. OmnibusF4 SD or Kakute F7).

There are two options for flashing the bootloader: via Betaflight Configurator (easier), or building from source.

# Bootloader Update using Betaflight Configurator

To install the PX4 bootloader using the Betaflight Configurator:

  1. You should have downloaded already the pre-built bootloader binary (this depends on the board you want to flash).
  2. Download the Betaflight Configurator (opens new window) for your platform.

    TIP

    If using the Chrome web browser, a simple cross-platform alternative is to install the configurator as an extension from here (opens new window).

  3. Connect the board to your PC and start the Configurator.
  4. Press the Load Firmware [Local] button Betaflight Configurator - Local Firmware
  5. Select the bootloader binary from the file system and then flash the board.

You should now be able to install PX4 firmware on the board.

# Bootloader Update using Source

# Download Bootloader Source

Download and build the Bootloader (opens new window) via:

git clone --recursive  https://github.com/PX4/Bootloader.git
cd Bootloader
make <target> # For example: omnibusf4sd_bl or kakutef7_bl

# Flash Bootloader

You can flash the PX4 bootloader using the dfu-util (opens new window) or the graphical dfuse (opens new window) tool on windows.

Don't be afraid to try flashing using any of the methods below.

Note

The STM32 MCU cannot be bricked. DFU cannot be overwritten by flashing and will always allow you to install a new firmware, even if flashing fails.

# Enter DFU mode

Both methods require the board to be in DFU mode. To enter DFU mode, hold the boot button down while connecting the USB cable to your computer. The button can be released after the board is powered up.

# dfu-util
dfu-util -a 0 --dfuse-address 0x08000000 -D  build/<target>/<target>.bin

Reboot the flight controller and it let it boot without holding the boot button.

# dfuse

See the dfuse manual here: https://www.st.com/resource/en/user_manual/cd00155676.pdf

Flash the .bin file.

# Reinstall Betaflight

In order to switch back to Betaflight:

  • Backup the PX4 parameters, e.g. by exporting them to an SD card
  • Keep the bootloader button pressed while attaching the USB cable
  • Then flash Betaflight as usual with the Betaflight-configurator

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