1.1 Flashing evofw3 Firmware

Overview

This is based upon the information available in the evofw3 repo.

evofw3 is an opensource alternative to the HGI80, and provides additional functionality.

The code supports 16MHZ atmega328 (S/W UART) and 8/16 MHz atmega32u4 (H/W UART) platforms and uses an AVR microcontroller to interface to a TI CC1101 radio. If you have a choice, obtain the latter platform (e.g. from here).

There are two different firmwares, and you need to use the correct firmware for your hardware:

• for SSM-D2 / NanoCUL, evofw3 (as above) is available from here
• for Espressif ESP32-S3, ramses_esp (with MQTT) is available from here

Configure Arduino IDE

Download and install the Arduino IDE for your platform. At least verion 1.8.13 is required, but these instructions have been tested with 2.2.1.

Configure the IDE to use the evofw3 custom board definitions:

• select File, Preferences to open the Preferences dialog box
• paste the following link into the Additional Board Manager URLs text box: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ghoti57/evofw3_avr/master/package_evofw3_boards_index.json
• click on OK to close the dialog box

Setup the evofw3 board manager:

• select Tools, Board, Boards Manager to open the manager
• type evofw3 in the search text box
• click on INSTALL
• select Tools, Board, Boards Manager to close the manager

In Tools, Board you should now see Evofw3 avr boards.

Use Tools, Board, Evofw3 avr boards to select the appropriate AVR controller type according to your hardware platform.

For atmega32u4

Setup this configuration:

• use Tools, Processor: atmega32u4 (5V, 16 MHz)
• use Tools, Pinout: Pro Micro

Later, use this configuration in HA:

ramses_cc:
  serial_port: /dev/serial/by-id/usb-SparkFun_evofw3_atmega32u4-if00

Alternatively, atmega328

Setup this configuration in the IDE:

• use Tools, Processor: atmega328p (5V, 16 MHz)
• use Tools, Host: 57600 (or 115200, YMMV)
• use Tools, Pinout: Nano

Note: You need to remember this baud rate for the configuration of the serial port.

Later, use this configuration in HA:

ramses_cc:
  serial_port:
    port_name: /dev/serial/by-id/usb-SHK_NANO_CUL_868-if00-port0
    baudrate:  57600  # or 115200, YMMV

Upload evofw3 Firmware

Download the evofw3 repo to a folder on your PC.

Open the evofw3 project in the IDE:

• select File, Open...
• locate the file called evofw3.ino and select it
• click on Open to open the sketch

Flash and upload the evofw3 firmware:

• select Sketch, Upload

Note: The first time you program an AVR controller with evofw3 the COM port may change.

Troubleshooting

TBA