Page 1 of 1

Unable to update firmware

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:48 pm
by ukoda
I have a BladeRF from the original kickstarter some time ago. I have fired it up for the first time on a Linux system with recent software and I am getting a report that firmware needs updated but the current update process fails:

Code: Select all

david@ping ~/Dev/SDR $ bladeRF-cli -p
[WARNING @ libusb.c:218] A bladeRF running incompatible firmware appears to be present on bus=2, addr=3. If this is true, a firmware update via the device's bootloader is required.


  probe: No devices are available. If one is attached, ensure it
         is not in use by another program and that the current
         user has permission to access it.

david@ping ~/Dev/SDR $ bladeRF-cli --flash-firmware /usr/share/Nuand/bladeRF/bladeRF_fw.img
[WARNING @ libusb.c:218] A bladeRF running incompatible firmware appears to be present on bus=2, addr=3. If this is true, a firmware update via the device's bootloader is required.


No bladeRF device(s) available.

If one is attached, ensure it is not in use by another program
and that the current user has permission to access it.


Error: Either no devices are present, or multiple devices are
        present and -d was not specified. Aborting.
I assume there is some extra step I need due to the age of my BladeRF?

Re: Unable to update firmware

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 8:09 pm
by jynik
Hi David,

Yes, there were some change changes in 2014 that required a newer firmware series.

Fortunately, the Cypress FX3 provides a nice bootloader mode that you can always use to reflash firmware. You can find instructions here on how to use this.

Let me know if you have any trouble!

- Jon

Re: Unable to update firmware

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 8:59 pm
by ukoda
Hi, thanks. That has resolved that issue and I can access the board ok, time to start playing with it. :D