Pololu Simple User Manual
Page 55
Linux users: The Simple Motor Controller’s firmware cannot be upgraded from a Linux computer. This
is due to bugs in recent versions of mono, which we were able to reproduce on mono version “Debian
2.10.8.1-5ubuntu2”. If you need to upgrade your firmware, please use a computer running Windows.
1. Save the settings stored on your controller using the “Save settings file…” option in the File menu. All of
your settings will be reset to their default values during the firmware upgrade.
2. Download the latest version of the firmware here:
(266k fmi). This single file will work
with all the different Simple Motor Controllers.
3. Connect your controller to a Windows computer using a USB cable. Do not attempt to upgrade the firmware
on a Linux computer.
4. Run the Pololu Simple Motor Control Center application and connect to the controller.
5. In the Device menu, select “Upgrade firmware…”. You will see a message asking you if you are sure you
want to proceed: click OK. The Simple Motor Controller will now disconnect itself from your computer and
reappear as a new device with a name like “Pololu Simple High-Power Motor Controller 18v15 Bootloader”.
◦ Windows 8, Windows 7, and Vista: the driver for the bootloader will automatically be installed.
◦ Windows XP: follow steps 6–8 from
to get the driver working.
6. Once the bootloader’s drivers are properly installed, the green LED should be blinking in a double heart-beat
pattern, and there should be an entry for the bootloader in the “Pololu USB Devices” list of your computer’s
Device Manager.
7. Go to the window titled “Firmware Upgrade” that the Pololu Simple Motor Control Center opened. Click the
“Browse…” button and select the firmware file you downloaded.
8. If it is not already selected, select the device you want to upgrade from the “Device” dropdown box.
9. Click the “Program” button. You will see a message warning you that your device’s firmware is about to be
erased and asking you if you are sure you want to proceed: click Yes.
10. It will take a few seconds to erase the Simple Motor Controller’s existing firmware and load the new
firmware.
11. Once the upgrade is complete, the Firmware Upgrade window will close, the Simple Motor Controller will
disconnect from your computer once again, and it will reappear as it was before. If there is only one Simple
Motor Controller plugged into your computer, the Pololu Simple Motor Control Center will connect to it. Check
the firmware version number and make sure that it now indicates the latest version of the firmware.
If you run into problems during a firmware upgrade, please
for assistance.
Pololu Simple Motor Controller User's Guide
© 2001–2014 Pololu Corporation
5. Configuring Your Motor Controller
Page 55 of 101