Updating Firmware

Auto Firmware Update via Binho Mission Control (for installing the latest supported firmware)

If you intend to have the most plug-and-play experience with the Binho Host Adapters, this process allows you to prepare them for use with Mission Control with just a few clicks.

1. Launch Binho Mission Control: Start up the application after ensuring it's properly installed.

2. Connect the Host Adapter: Plug in your Binho Nova, Supernova or Pulsar host adapter to your computer.

3. Navigate to the Connection: Access the Connection menu within the application.

4. Mount the Host Adapter: Choose your connected device from the list and initialize the connection.

You should see the incompatibility firmware or the recommended update dialogs from here. (If your device connects without any warning, you already have the latest firmware!)

You should see a button in both dialogs prompting "Update Firmware".

Click it to initiate the autoinstall of the latest firmware update:

Incompatible firmware dialog

Important Note:

For the autoupdate to be successful, you must ensure you

• Mantain the host adapter connected via USB.

• Have a stable internet connection.

• Ensure the PC remains powered on.

The app should guide you in the installation process, and once it is done, click "OK" to close the dialog.

In some cases, if your firmware version is not the latest, you may still be able to use it within the app, although you will be prompted to update to the newest version. Suppose you decide to keep using the app nonetheless. In that case, you may update to the latest firmware version later by using the "Update Firmware" button below the device data table of the connected device:

Device Info for an older supported firmware version

Manual Firmware Update via Binho Mission Control (for specific firmware versions)

Ensuring your Binho host adapter operates with the latest capabilities is crucial. With Binho Mission Control, updating your firmware is streamlined, and here's how:

1. Launch Binho Mission Control: Start up the application after ensuring it's properly installed.

2. Connect the Host Adapter: Plug in your Binho Nova, Supernova or Pulsar host adapter to your computer.

3. Navigate to the Connection: Access the Connection menu within the application.

4. Mount the Host Adapter: Choose your connected device from the list and initialize connection.

5. Access Bootloader Mode: On the right side of the interface, click the "ENTER BOOTLOADER MODE" button. The host adapter will transition to a mode that’s ready to receive new firmware.

6. Transfer the Firmware: Drag and drop or copy/paste the firmware file onto the device, just as you would with a standard USB storage device.

7. Firmware Verification: Post-update, it's good practice to ensure the firmware version on the host adapter reflects the recent update. This can usually be checked within the device information section.

Remember, regular updates equip your device with the newest functionalities and security patches. Make it a habit!

Supernova Firmware Update via script

IMPORTANT. Never load Pulsar firmware on a Supernova. Never load Supernova firmware on a Pulsar. Mixing them will cause severe malfunction that may require factory recovery. Stay very alert during this step.

This guide explains how to enter boot mode on a Supernova device and manually update its firmware using Python. The process varies slightly depending on the firmware version and corresponding SDK version.

To avoid version conflicts between different SDKs, we strongly recommend using a Python virtual environment when performing these operations:

python -m venv env
source env/bin/activate  # on Linux/macOS
env\Scripts\activate     # on Windows

Once the environment is activated, install the required SDK version.

If Your Supernova Is Running Firmware v4.x

To control a Supernova device running firmware v4.x, you must use SupernovaSDK v4.2.0.

1. Install the SDK:

   pip install binhosupernova==4.2.0

2. Run the following script to enter boot mode:

   from binhosupernova.supernova import Supernova
   
   device = Supernova()
   device.onEvent(lambda response, system_message: print(f"Event: {response} {system_message}"))
   device.open()
   
   print("Entering boot mode...")
   print("If it takes too long, verify the firmware version.")
   print("Press ^C to exit the program.")
   
   device.enterBootMode(1)

3. The Supernova LEDs should turn red.

4. The device will mount as a USB storage drive.

5. Drag and drop the desired .gfi firmware file into the drive. Example:

   • supernova-app-crp-3.2.0.gfi (e.g if you want to downgrade to v3)

6. LEDs should return to blue once flashing completes.

If Your Supernova Is Running Firmware v3.x

To control a Supernova device running firmware v3.x, you must use SupernovaSDK v3.2.0.

1. Install the SDK:

   pip install binhosupernova==3.2.0

2. Run the following script to enter boot mode:

   from BinhoSupernova.Supernova import Supernova
   
   device = Supernova()
   device.open()
   device.onEvent(lambda response, system_message: print(f"Event: {response} {system_message}"))
   
   print("Entering boot mode...")
   print("If it takes too long, verify the firmware version.")
   print("Press ^C to exit the program.")
   
   device.enterBootMode(1)

3. The Supernova LEDs should turn red.

4. The device will mount as a USB storage drive.

5. Drag and drop the desired .gfi firmware file into the drive. Example:

   • supernova-app-crp-4.2.1.gfi (e.g. if you want to upgrade to v4)

6. LEDs should return to blue once flashing completes.

Final Notes

• Boot mode may take a few seconds to activate. If nothing happens, confirm you're using the appropriate SDK version for the currently installed firmware.

Pulsar Firmware Update via script

IMPORTANT. Never load Pulsar firmware on a Supernova. Never load Supernova firmware on a Pulsar. Mixing them will cause severe malfunction that may require factory recovery. Stay very alert during this step.

This guide explains how to manually update the firmware on a Pulsar device using Python. The update process involves placing the device into boot mode, then flashing the appropriate .gfi firmware file by dragging and dropping it onto the device's storage interface.

To avoid version conflicts between different SDKs, we strongly recommend using a Python virtual environment when performing these operations:

python -m venv env
source env/bin/activate  # on Linux/macOS
env\Scripts\activate     # on Windows

Once the environment is activated, install the required SDK version.

If Your Pulsar Is Running Firmware v4.x

To control a Pulsar device running firmware v4.x, you must use PulsarSDK v1.2.0.

1. Install the SDK:

   pip install binhopulsar==1.2.0

2. Run the following script to enter boot mode:

   from binhopulsar.pulsar import Pulsar
   
   device = Pulsar()
   device.onEvent(lambda response, system_message: print(f"Event: {response} {system_message}"))
   device.open()
   
   print("Entering boot mode...")
   print("If it takes too long, verify the firmware version.")
   print("Press ^C to exit the program.")
   
   device.enterBootMode(1)

3. The Pulsar LEDs should turn red.

4. The device will mount as a USB storage drive.

5. Drag and drop the desired .gfi firmware file into the drive. Example:

   • pulsar-app-3.2.0.gfi (e.g if you want to downgrade to v3)

6. LEDs should return to blue once flashing completes.

If Your Pulsar Is Running Firmware v3.x

To control a Pulsar device running firmware v3.x, you must use PulsarSDK v3.2.0.

1. Install the SDK:

   pip install binhopulsar==0.3.0

2. Run the following script to enter boot mode:

   from BinhoPulsar.Pulsar import Pulsar
   
   device = Pulsar()
   device.onEvent(lambda response, system_message: print(f"Event: {response} {system_message}"))
   device.open()
   
   print("Entering boot mode...")
   print("If it takes too long, verify the firmware version.")
   print("Press ^C to exit the program.")
   
   device.enterBootMode(1)

3. The Pulsar LEDs should turn red.

4. The device will mount as a USB storage drive.

5. Drag and drop the desired .gfi firmware file into the drive. Example:

   • pulsar-app-4.2.1.gfi (e.g. if you want to upgrade to v4)

6. LEDs should return to blue once flashing completes.

Final Notes

• Boot mode may take a few seconds to activate. If nothing happens, confirm you're using the appropriate SDK version for the currently installed firmware.

Firmware Releases

Binho Supernova

Version 4.2.1

Note: this version is not compatible with Binho Mission Control 2.16.1 or older versions. Please, follow the instructions on If Your Supernova Is Running Firmware v4.x if you want to downgrade to v3.2.0.

https://cdn.binho.io/fw/supernova/4.2.1/supernova-app-crp-4.2.1.gficdn.binho.io

Version 3.2.0 (Compatible with Binho Mission Control 2.16.1)

https://cdn.binho.io/fw/supernova/3.2.0/supernova-app-crp-3.2.0.gficdn.binho.io

Binho Pulsar

Version 4.2.1

Note: this version is not compatible with Binho Mission Control 2.16.1 or older versions. Please, follow the instructions on If Your Pulsar Is Running Firmware v4.x if you want to downgrade to v3.2.0.

https://cdn.binho.io/fw/pulsar/4.2.1/pulsar-app-4.2.1.gficdn.binho.io

Version 3.2.0 (Compatible with Binho Mission Control 2.16.1)

https://cdn.binho.io/fw/pulsar/3.2.0/pulsar-app-3.2.0.gficdn.binho.io

Binho Nova

Version 0.2.8 - Stable

https://cdn.binho.io/fw/nova/0.2.8/binho-nova-app-secure-v0.2.8.figcdn.binho.io