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Upgrade Emesent Cortex

For optimal performance and reliability, Emesent recommends operating Hovermap on the latest available Cortex version at all times. Keeping Hovermap up to date ensures access to the newest features, system improvements, and important safety-critical fixes.
 

The following instructions explain how to apply a Cortex upgrade to your Hovermap. Upgrading the BSP and the Hovermap image will take 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Do not remove power from Hovermap during the upgrade, as this may render the system inoperable.

 

Process

 

Step 1: Download Latest Version

There are two separate firmware files required to be updated:

  • Board support package (BSP)

  • Hovermap image firmware (Cortex)

Both files can be transferred using a single USB flash drive, and the update procedure is the same for each.

  1. Navigate to Emesent’s Software Downloads page.

  2. Download the latest Cortex package

  3. Review the release notes for any important information before continuing.

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Step 2: Extract Cortex and prepare the USB flash drive

  1. Extract the downloaded .zip file. 

    The package contains the following files:

    BSP image file (for example, bsp_st_x.x.x.img)

    Hovermap image file (for example, hvm_st_x.x.x.img)

  2. Insert a blank USB flash drive into your computer.

  3. Copy both image files to the root directory of the USB flash drive (do not place them inside a folder).

  4. Safely eject the USB flash drive once the file transfer is complete.

Do not connect the USB flash drive to Hovermap until instructed.

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Step 3: Power on Hovermap

  1. Connect a fully charged battery to Hovermap.

  2. Power on Hovermap.

  3. Wait for the startup sequence to complete. Proceed once the status LED displays slow pulsing Emesent blue.

 

Step 4: Insert the USB flash drive

  1. Insert the prepared USB flash drive into Hovermap.

  2. Wait for the status LED to return to slow pulsing Emesent blue before continuing. This may take several minutes if data is being offloaded to the USB flash drive.

 

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Step 5: Connect to the Hovermap network

  1. On a supported tablet, Android phone, or computer, connect to the Hovermap Wi-Fi network: 

SSID: st_XXXX (where XXXX is the unit serial number on the serial number sticker)

Password: hovermap
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Step 6: Open Upgrade Payload Firmware

Using Commander (recommended)

  1. Open Commander.

  2. Open the Options menu (☰).

  3. Navigate to About → Upgrade Payload Firmware.

The Web UI firmware upgrade page will launch. 

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Alternative: Using a web browser

You can also access the upgrade page from a any browser on computer or mobile without Commander.

  1. Connect to the Hovermap Wi-Fi network.

  2. Open a web browser and navigate to hover.map.

  3. Open the Device → Upgrade Firmware.

 

 

Step 7: Upgrade the BSP firmware

Not all Cortex upgrades require a BSP update. If no BSP update is detected during the installation process, this is expected and you can proceed to the Hovermap image upgrade.

Upgrade the Board Support Package (BSP) firmware as follows:

  1. Ensure the USB flash drive is connected to Hovermap and the status LED displays slow pulsing Emesent blue.

  2. In the Firmware Upgrade page, select Search to check for available updates.

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  3. If a BSP update is detected, select Next to prepare the installation. Hovermap will prepare the BSP for upgrade.

  4. When prompted, remove the USB flash drive.

  5. After removing the USB flash drive, select Install to begin the upgrade.

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Hovermap will begin flashing red while the BSP is installing and will restart automatically once the upgrade is complete. Proceed when the status LED returns to slow pulsing Emesent blue. This process may take up to 20 minutes. 

 

What Hovermap is doing Status LED How long Is this normal?
Installing firmware Flashing red Up to 20 minutes Yes
Restarting after upgrade Flashing red ~90 seconds Yes
Ready for use Slow pulsing Emesent blue — Yes
 

Step 8: Upgrade the Hovermap image (Cortex)

The Hovermap image firmware upgrade follows the same process as the BSP upgrade.

  1. If Hovermap does not automatically reconnect to your device, manually reconnect to the Hovermap Wi-Fi network after the restart from the BSP upgrade (see Step 5).

  2. Attach the USB flash drive and wait until the status LED displays slow pulsing Emesent blue.

  3. Once reconnected, refresh the Upgrade payload Firmware page. If the Upgrade Payload Firmware page is not already open, return to it (see Step 6).

  4. Select Search to check for available updates.

  5. When the Hovermap image firmware is detected, select Next to prepare the installation. Hovermap will verify the image before upgrading.

  6. When prompted, remove the USB flash drive.

  7. After removing the USB flash drive, select Install to begin the upgrade.

Do not remove power from Hovermap during the upgrade, as this may render the system inoperable.

Hovermap will begin flashing red while the image is installed and will restart automatically once the upgrade is complete. This process may take up to 20 minutes. 

During the upgrade process, the LEDs may turn off for several minutes. This is expected behavior.

 

Troubleshooting

For issues encountered during the firmware upgrade, see Troubleshooting Cortex Upgrade.