What's NXT: About the NXT Brick's Firmware
Posted on May 24th, 2006 in Special Reports
What’s NXT is a bi-weekly column written by Jim Kelly at The NXT Step Blog. Jim writes about LEGO Mindstorms NXT and all the cool news related to it.
I received an email recently requesting information about the NXT Intelligent Brick’s Firmware update process and any other feedback the Brick provided. Glad you asked…
The first thing you need to be aware of is that the NXT Brick can connect to your PC/laptop either using the USB cable or via Bluetooth. My screenshots are taken of my brick connection using a USB cable. The 2nd caveat is that the Lego Mindstorms NXT software must be open.
More after the jump …
Figure 1 shows the NXT brick controls that are located in the lower-right corner of the software. If a connection is made with the brick, clicking on the button (shown in orange) will launch the NXT Brick data window (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Figure 2 contains two tabs – Communications and Memory. On the Communications tab, you will see the name of the NXT Brick that is currently connected (mine is the default, NXT). The connection type is visible (USB or BT). The status is either Connected or Unavailable. On the right side of the window, you can change the name of your NXT brick by clicking the little button with the curved arrow. Battery strength is shown with a numeric value (a single decimal place is also used, so a battery strength of 8.2 is not out of the ordinary). In my experience, I have found when battery strength gets down to around 7 I start getting "strange behavior". You are also given a reading for the Free Storage in kilobytes. Finally, the Firmware version is listed.
Figure 3
Figure 3 shows the Memory tab with "System Files" hidden (the box labeled "Show System Files" is unchecked). On the left side you are given a graphical representation of the overall memory storage breakdown – Program (lists the user programs currently stored), Record/Play will show any of the files created for a Record/Play block, and finally Unused memory(the gray area).
Figure 4
Figure 4 shows the Memory tab with System Files visible. I have selected in this image to show you the files in the "Other" category. (NOTE to SELF: After updating my firmware recently, I forgot to delete all the Try-Me files. These Try-Me files can be safely deleted from the brick – they are useful however for testing motors and sensors when you first unpack your kit.)
Figure 5
For the Firmware upgrade, take a look at Figure 5. Again, the brick must be connected and the software running. From the Tools menu, select "Update NXT Firmware…"
Figure 6
Figure 6 shows the Update NXT Firmware window. Right now, the "Check" button for Online Updates takes me to a "holding page", but the functionality should be ready when the retail kit goes live. You can click on the "Browse" button to change the default location of the Firmware, but here I’m using the default. Click on the "Download" button to check for a Firmware update…
Figure 7
Figure 7 shows the start of the Firmware update check…
Figure 8
Figure 8 shows that the current Firmware has been successfully downloaded, not only to your PC, but also to the brick.
Since I brought up the Record/Play Block files earlier (Figure 3), next week I’ll share with you a small tutorial on using this Block.
You can read more of Jim’s writings at The NXT Step Blog.
I received an email recently requesting information about the NXT Intelligent Brick’s Firmware update process and any other feedback the Brick provided. Glad you asked…The first thing you need to be aware of is that the NXT Brick can connect to your PC/laptop either using the USB cable or via Bluetooth. My screenshots are taken of my brick connection using a USB cable. The 2nd caveat is that the Lego Mindstorms NXT software must be open.
More after the jump …
Figure 1 shows the NXT brick controls that are located in the lower-right corner of the software. If a connection is made with the brick, clicking on the button (shown in orange) will launch the NXT Brick data window (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Figure 2 contains two tabs – Communications and Memory. On the Communications tab, you will see the name of the NXT Brick that is currently connected (mine is the default, NXT). The connection type is visible (USB or BT). The status is either Connected or Unavailable. On the right side of the window, you can change the name of your NXT brick by clicking the little button with the curved arrow. Battery strength is shown with a numeric value (a single decimal place is also used, so a battery strength of 8.2 is not out of the ordinary). In my experience, I have found when battery strength gets down to around 7 I start getting "strange behavior". You are also given a reading for the Free Storage in kilobytes. Finally, the Firmware version is listed.
Figure 3
Figure 3 shows the Memory tab with "System Files" hidden (the box labeled "Show System Files" is unchecked). On the left side you are given a graphical representation of the overall memory storage breakdown – Program (lists the user programs currently stored), Record/Play will show any of the files created for a Record/Play block, and finally Unused memory(the gray area).
Figure 4
Figure 4 shows the Memory tab with System Files visible. I have selected in this image to show you the files in the "Other" category. (NOTE to SELF: After updating my firmware recently, I forgot to delete all the Try-Me files. These Try-Me files can be safely deleted from the brick – they are useful however for testing motors and sensors when you first unpack your kit.)
Figure 5
For the Firmware upgrade, take a look at Figure 5. Again, the brick must be connected and the software running. From the Tools menu, select "Update NXT Firmware…"
Figure 6
Figure 6 shows the Update NXT Firmware window. Right now, the "Check" button for Online Updates takes me to a "holding page", but the functionality should be ready when the retail kit goes live. You can click on the "Browse" button to change the default location of the Firmware, but here I’m using the default. Click on the "Download" button to check for a Firmware update…
Figure 7
Figure 7 shows the start of the Firmware update check…
Figure 8
Figure 8 shows that the current Firmware has been successfully downloaded, not only to your PC, but also to the brick.
Since I brought up the Record/Play Block files earlier (Figure 3), next week I’ll share with you a small tutorial on using this Block.
You can read more of Jim’s writings at The NXT Step Blog.
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