Hermes

Step 1: Install Python

Download Python from python.org. During installation, check “Add Python to PATH”. Verify installation by opening Command Prompt and typing: python --version.

Step 2: Install esptool.py

Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Install esptool using pip: pip install esptool. Then, verify installation: esptool.py version.

Step 3: Install USB Drivers (if needed)

If USB to Serial chip is not detected by your Windows system, you will need to find CH340 drivers or follow the tutorial on Sparkfun, for example.

Step 4: Identify COM Port

Connect Protea board via USB-C and Open Device Manager ("Win + X" → Device Manager). Look under “Ports (COM & LPT)” for your ESP8266 device. Note the COM port (e.g., COM3, COM7).

Step 5: Flash Hermes Firmware

Put ESP8266 into download mode by holding the "ESP BOOT" button while connecting USB. Open Command Prompt in the directory containing your firmware file and run the flash command (replace "COM3" with your actual COM port): esptool.py --chip esp8266 --port COM3 --baud 460800 --before default_reset --after hard_reset write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size detect 0x0 firmware.bin

Step 1: Install Homebrew (if not installed)

Open Terminal and install Homebrew by running: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)". Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Install esptool via Homebrew

Install esptool directly: brew install esptool. Verify installation by running: esptool.py version.

Step 3: Install USB Drivers (if needed)

If USB to Serial chip is not detected by your macOS system, you will need to find CH340 drivers or follow the tutorial on Sparkfun, for example.

Step 4: Identify COM Port

Connect Protea board via USB-C. In Terminal, run: ls /dev/cu.*. Look for ports like "/dev/cu.usbserial-*" or similar. You can also use esptool to auto-detect: esptool.py flash_id.

Step 5: Flash Hermes Firmware

Put ESP8266 into download mode by holding the "ESP BOOT" button while connecting USB. Navigate to firmware directory in Terminal and run flash command: esptool.py --chip esp8266 --port /dev/cu.usbserial-0001 --baud 460800 --before default_reset --after hard_reset write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size detect 0x0 firmware.bin (replace with your actual port if needed).

Step 1: Install Python and Dependencies

Most Linux distributions include Python 3. Verify with: python3 --version. If not installed, use your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install python3 for Debian/Ubuntu). Install pip if not present: sudo apt install python3-pip (for Debian/Ubuntu; adjust for your distribution).

Step 2: Install esptool.py

Install esptool: pip3 install esptool. Verify installation: esptool.py version. If you encounter permission issues, try running with sudo or adjust permissions on the esptool script.

Step 3: Set User Permissions

Add your user to the dialout group: sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER. This allows access to serial ports without root privileges. Log out and back in for changes to take effect.

Step 4: Identify COM Port

Connect Protea board via USB-C. Monitor connection with: journalctl --follow or check available ports with: ls /dev/ttyUSB* or ls /dev/ttyACM*. Look for ports like "/dev/ttyUSB0" or similar. Common ports are "/dev/ttyUSB0" or "/dev/ttyACM0".

Step 5: Flash Hermes Firmware

Put ESP8266 into download mode by holding the "ESP BOOT" button while connecting USB. Navigate to firmware directory in Terminal and run flash command: esptool.py --chip esp8266 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 460800 --before default_reset --after hard_reset write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size detect 0x0 firmware.bin (replace with your actual port if needed).