HL8548 Modem firmware update error

IoT Modules Legacy HL Series
1

Hi have been stuck with this issue and I can’t really find a solution to this modem firmware update error. Please bear with me.

I am using AirPrime - HL8548 modem. and have been having problems with he firmware update.(FIRMWARE LINK)

The latest modem firmware is 5.5.25.0. The firmware version in the modems I receive is 5.5.18.0
Every time I do a modem firmware update any versions from 5.5.24.2 below to the latest, it fails.

Here is an example of an update form 5.5.23.0 to the latest:

AT

OK

AT+CGMR
RHL85xx.5.5.23.0.201610311418.x6250_7

OK

+WDSI=8191AT+WDSS?

OK

Preparing Firmware upload...
AT+WDSS?

OK

AT+WDSD=12570024^U
Sending ./hl8548/RHL85xx.5.5.25.0.201804161340.x6250_2_DWL.dwl, 98203 blocks: Give your local XMODEM receive command now.
Bytes Sent:12570112   BPS:70734                           

Transfer complete
Prepare firmware programming...

OK

+WDSI: 3
ATI
HL8548

OK
Start Firmware programming...
AT+WDSR=4
OK

+WDSI: 12

+WDSI: 14
^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@
Error updating modem firmware

It gets to “+WDSI: 14” but does not proceed to “+WDSI: 16” which is a success update status.

It seems that it is fine updating from and to versions 5.5.24.0, 5.5.24.2, and 5.5.25.0. Also from 5.5.22.0 to 5.5.23.0.
It seems to be an old firmware issue. In this case, what are my options?

2

Hi AngeloWitekio,

I suggest you use a new HL8548 SKU with new memory which will load FW >= v5.5.24.2
With old SKU (old memory), you can only upgrade to FW < v5.5.24.2.

3

Hi, Thanks for responding. My issue is that we have a lot of stock modems with 5.5.18.0 firmware version.
Or are you saying that upgrading from 5.5.18.0 to version 5.5.24.2 would work?
It awfully seems to be a bug with 5.5.18.0. not returning a “+WDSI: 16” response. Is there a way to prevent this from happening?

4

@AngeloWitekio

What happens when you use the one click updater?

Matt

5

Hi @mlw, I have not looked or used that. Although, we are using a custom script to be used in production testing on the unit so it is not likely that click updater can be used. Thanks anyway.

6

Hi AngeloWitekio,

In fact, I can succeed to upgrade from v5.5.23_7 to v5.5.25.0_2,
+WDSI: 16 will be displayed.
Could you check again?
Do you ever changed the baudrate?
my log:
AT+CGMR
RHL85xx.5.5.23.0.201610311418.x6250_7
OK
AT+WDSI=8191
OK
AT+WDSD=12570024
//RHL85xx.5.5.25.0.201804161340.x6250_2_DWL.dwl
OK
+WDSI: 3
AT+WDSR=4
OK
+WDSI: 12
+WDSI: 14
+SIM: 1
+KSUP: 0
+WDSI: 16
+NVBU_IND: 0,0,“2004/01/01 00:15:21”,“RHL85xx.5.5.25.0.201804161340.x6250_2”
+NVBU_IND: 0,1,“2004/01/01 00:15:21”,“RHL85xx.5.5.25.0.201804161340.x6250_2”
+NVBU_IND: 0,2,“2004/01/01 00:15:22”,“RHL85xx.5.5.25.0.201804161340.x6250_2”
+PBREADY
ATI3
RHL85xx.5.5.25.0.201804161340.x6250_2
OK
AT+KGSN=3
+KGSN: HD721300450410
OK
AT+KGSN=2
+KGSN: 35951505953514-0 SV:21
OK

7

Interesting! how about from 5.5.18.0 to 5.5.25.0?

Yes, Prior to starting my update script, I have a for loop to try and set the desired baud rate through different baud rates.

thanks

8

I did not see +WDSI: 16 after upgrade from 5.5.18.0 to 5.5.25.0.

ATI9
RHL85xx.5.5.18.0.201506301553.x6250_1
2015/06/30 16:32:44
r3630
OK
AT+WDSI=8191
OK
AT+WDSD=12570024
OK
+WDSI: 3
AT+WDSR=4
OK
+WDSI: 12
+WDSI: 14
//Wait about 1.5min
ATI9
RHL85xx.5.5.25.0.201804161340.x6250_2
2018/04/16 14:04:55
r6496
OK
AT+KGSN=3
+KGSN: HD721300450410
OK

9

Hi @Sierra_klin2, Yes, that is the exact problem I am having. I think there is a problem with the 5.5.18.0 firmware update process. Is there a way (or a sequence of AT commands) to avoid this from happening? I really need help on this product we are developing.

Thanks.

10

@mlw, Is there an easy to follow guide on using the one click updater?
We now are considering on flashing our stock hl8548 modems using the devkit.

Seems like There is a lot to set up for this.

11

@AngeloWitekio,

No there is not much to setup.

  • Download the USB drivers.
  • Make sure the unit enumerates when you plug it into the USB1_main port.
  • Run the oneclick updater.

Thats it.

Regards

Matt

12

@mlw, Thanks so much for replying quickly.

I have couple of issues along the steps. Or in general, is there a quick and easy way to install the USB driver?

I was in the middle of installing the USBdriver. It seems that it needs the signtool.exe from thesycon. I emailed them for the tool and got a reply that they no longer deliver signtools to customers. Was wondering if there is an easy way out of this. Or in general, is there a quick and easy way to install the USB driver?

Also, for the oneclick updater, are you talking about the .exe files from here? (https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/hl8548-hl8548-g-hl8549-and-hl8549-g-firmware/)

13

Hi AngeloWitekio,

For oneclick updater, yes it’s the .exe file. e.g. RHL85xx.5.5.25.0.201804161340.x6250_2.exe

USB driver of “WMC_comneon8_v4.32.0” from https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/hl854x-usb-drivers/

To install USB driver, please double click the exe here:
C:\Users\klin\Downloads\WMC_comneon8_v4.32.0\setup_disk\setup.exe

14

Hi @Sierra_klin2, The driver does not have a directory “setup_disk”. Also if I ran “setup/setup.exe”, I get the following error:

OneClick_setup_error

Which led me to believe that I need to get the singing setup to produce the certificate file needed to install the driver.

15

It should be C:\Users\klin\Downloads\WMC_comneon8_v4.32.0\setup_disk\setup.exe

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