Guides

Firmware guides

Step-by-step guides for updating the firmware on your OpenDrone boards, written for a first-timer. Where a step is not available yet, the guide says so. Every step says what you should see, and every page ends with what to do if it does not work.

Before you start, every time

  • Take the propellers off.
  • Flight controller over USB: keep the flight battery unplugged.
  • ESC: plug the battery in only at the step that asks for it, and unplug it when you are done. Flashing an ESC from our page is not available yet.
  • Never unplug anything, close the tab or let the computer sleep while firmware is being written.

What you need

  • Drag-and-drop update of the flight controller: any browser, on Windows, macOS or Linux.
  • The Betaflight app and reading ESCs: Chrome or Edge on a computer.
  • A USB-C cable that carries data, not a charge-only cable.

Update firmware

In Chrome or Edge, the firmware page installs Betaflight with one button: Update firmware. OpenFC-Lite for now, Lite Mini later. Copying the file onto the board is the fallback.

Open the firmware page

OpenFC: Betaflight

Put Betaflight on an OpenFC-Lite or OpenFC-Lite Mini flight controller over USB, check it worked, and recover from a failed update.

  1. Update firmware with one button
  2. Put your OpenFC in bootloader mode
  3. Install Betaflight on your OpenFC
  4. Check the firmware on your OpenFC
  5. Recover an OpenFC after a failed update

OpenESC: AM32

Connect an OpenESC 4-in-1 through your flight controller and read what each motor channel runs. Installing AM32 from our page is coming after bench verification.

  1. Connect your OpenESC and read its firmware
  2. Install AM32 on your OpenESC
  3. Check the firmware on your OpenESC
  4. Recover a failed ESC update