In past times (see this and this post), wireless programming of a remote Moteino used to be done via a python script. This took a compiled Moteino sketch (hex file) and passed it to a programmer Moteino which would relay it to the target node . Later this python app was migrated to a windows desktop app (see release post and upload speed update). At which point non-windows folks were left with a somewhat out of date python script. I was asked about the status of the python app many times. So I decided to merge the python script and windows app so all platforms can use it. This was done via IronPython which can invoke a python script straight from a windows app. Hence wireless programming for Moteinos has gone through several changes:
- the firmware part which used to be a separate library and has been merged into the RFM69 library, this is now called RFM69_OTA.h (vs: WirelessHEX.h) and all functions have the same name and parameters
- the windows app now can run both natively (windows code) or invoke a new updated OTA.py python app which you can control and modify if you’d like
This is the best of both worlds. The new OTA.py script is cross platform and independent of the windows app, just needs to be invoked with the right parameters (run `python OTA.py -h` for details). Those on windows can just use the desktop app (runs the protocol in native C# code), or can click the “Run OTA.py” checkbox to instead invoke the OTA.py script dynamically. The parameters are passed from the desktop app into OTA.py and the desktop app conveniently remembers your programming parameters next time you open it.
Most significantly the WirelessProgramming.exe is now 3.8MB (vs 29KB) because it bundles all the required self contained IronPython runtime to run the OTA.py script. It also requires the pythonLibs.zip file that was added in the same directory.
Give this free tool a try and let me know if there are any issues or bugs. Enjoy!