GeneralDeveloper

REXGEN OEM: flash Linux and open the console

Updated

Power REXGEN OEM, load the Linux image and log in on the serial console. Then connect it to your Wi-Fi network so you can reach it over SSH.

Power it on the bench

The Kvaser T-Cannector (INF4308) can power REXGEN OEM on the bench.

  1. Connect the power lead. Plug the CAN 0/PWR 9-way D-Sub lead of the 2-way or 5-way multi-connect into the female 9-way D-Sub port of the T-Cannector.
  2. Power the T-Cannector. Use the 12 V adapter supplied with it.
  3. Set the termination. Use the two-way switch on the T-Cannector to enable or disable CAN bus termination.
    Kvaser T-Cannector with the power jack plugged in and the termination slide switch outlined
    The termination switch sits beside the power jack.
  4. Connect other CAN devices. Use the free 9-way D-Sub ports of the T-Cannector.
Two bench setups: the 2-way and the 5-way multi-connect, each with its CAN 0/PWR lead plugged into a Kvaser T-Cannector powered by a 12 V adapter
Left, the 2-way multi-connect. Right, the 5-way multi-connect.

Connect it to a vehicle

  1. Find the OBD-II port. Plug the OBD-II end of the supplied cable into it.
    An OBD-II port under a vehicle dashboard and an OBD-II plug being pushed into it
    The OBD-II port and the cable's OBD-II plug.
  2. Connect the 9-way D-Sub. Plug the cable's 9-way D-Sub into the 2-way or 5-way multi-connect.

For pin details, see REXGEN OEM: pinouts and multiconnect cables.

Flash the Linux image

You load the Linux image from a Windows PC with NXP's Universal Update Utility (uuu), through a USB cable on the board's mini ISP header.

  1. Extract the image. Extract the archive from Influx Technology support into a folder on your PC.
  2. Start the flash tool. Open a command prompt in that folder and run:
    uuu deploy-image-wic.uuu
    The tool reports its version and waits:
    uuu (Universal Update Utility) for nxp imx chips -- libuuu_1.5.182-0-gda3cd53
    
    Wait for Known USB Device Appear...
  3. Switch the device off.
  4. Remove the cover.
  5. Connect the USB header. Fit the 5-pin USB header to the mini ISP connector, with the red wire aligned with the dot on the board. Cable colours can differ by supplier.
    Close-up of the board with an arrow pointing at the 5-pin mini ISP header
    The mini ISP header.
  6. Connect the PC. Plug the other end of the USB cable into the PC.
  7. Switch the device on. Flashing starts and the progress shows in the command prompt window.
  8. Disconnect when it finishes. Switch the device off and remove the USB cable from the board.
  9. Restart the device. Then set up Wi-Fi, through the hotspot or from the serial console.

Open the serial console

Use the serial console the first time to set up Wi-Fi and find the IP address your router gives the device. After that you can use SSH instead. See REXGEN OEM: SSH, SFTP, LTE and Tailscale access.

  1. Open the enclosure. Find the header marked Console on the board.
    The REXGEN OEM board with the lid removed and the 6-pin console header outlined near the top edge
    The console header sits along the edge of the board.
  2. Fit the FTDI cable. Insert it with the black lead aligned with the GND sticker on the board.
    A six-wire FTDI cable plugged onto the console header, black lead at the right
    Black lead to GND.
  3. Install Tera Term. Download it from the Tera Term releases page. Any serial terminal works.
  4. Choose the port. Open Tera Term, select Serial and choose the COM port of the USB serial port. Then open Setup > Serial port and select the FTDI port.
  5. Set the speed. Set Speed to 115200 and select New open.
    Tera Term serial port setup with Speed set to 115200 and the New open button
    Leave Data at 8 bit.
  6. Log in. The login prompt appears.
    Tera Term window showing the NXP i.MX release banner and a login prompt
    The login prompt on the serial console.
    Influx Technology support supplies the default user name and password. Change the password after your first login.

Join a Wi-Fi network

  1. Enable the Wi-Fi module. Run these commands one by one:
    switch_module.sh 1MW
    fw_setenv fdt_file imx8mm-influx-rex-smart_v2-1mw.dtb
    reboot
  2. Open the Wi-Fi settings. Log in again and open the file:
    nano /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
  3. Add your network. Add a network block with your own SSID and passkey. The finished file looks like this:
    ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
    ctrl_interface_group=0
    update_config=1
    
    network={
    ssid="your WLAN SSID"
    psk="your WLAN passkey"
    }
    In nano, use the arrow keys to move, Ctrl + C to copy and Shift + Insert to paste.
  4. Save and exit. Press Ctrl + X, then Y to save the changes.
  5. Bring up the interface. Run:
    ifconfig wlan0 up
    wpa_supplicant -B -i wlan0 -D wext -c /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
  6. Find the IP address. Run ip a and note the inet address of wlan0. You need it for SSH and SFTP.

Next: REXGEN OEM: SSH, SFTP, LTE and Tailscale access.

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