fwupd/plugins/altos/README.md
2021-07-18 14:42:47 -05:00

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# Altos
## Introduction
Altos is a 8051 operating system for Altus-Metrum projects.
The ChaosKey is a hardware random number generator that attaches via USB.
When the ChaosKey when inserted it appears as a device handled by the kernel
with VID 0x1d50 and PID 0x60c6. If pins 1 and 5 are shorted as the device is
connected then the bootloader is run, which presents VID 0xfffe and PID 0x000a.
The bootloader communication is not handled in the kernel, and a tty device is
created so userspace can communicate with the hardware. Commands the bootloader
accept are as follows:
## Firmware Format
The daemon will decompress the cabinet archive and extract a firmware blob in
ELF file format. The firmware image is inserted into the `.text` section.
This plugin supports the following protocol ID:
* org.altusmetrum.altos
## GUID Generation
These devices use the standard USB DeviceInstanceId values, e.g.
* `USB\VID_1D50&PID_60C6&REV_0001`
* `USB\VID_1D50&PID_60C6`
* `USB\VID_1D50`
## Update Behavior
The device usually presents in runtime mode, but on detach re-enumerates with a
different USB PID in a bootloader mode. On attach the device again re-enumerates
back to the runtime mode.
For this reason the `REPLUG_MATCH_GUID` internal device flag is used so that
the bootloader and runtime modes are treated as the same device.
## Vendor ID Security
The vendor ID is set from the USB vendor, in this instance set to `USB:0x1D50`
## External Interface Access
This plugin requires read/write access to `/dev/bus/usb`.
### List Information
Command: `l\n`
Several lines of text about the device are transferred to the host, e.g.
```text
altos-loader
manufacturer altusmetrum.org
product AltosFlash
flash-range 08001000 08008000
software-version 1.6.8
```
There doesn't appear to be any kind of end-of-message signal.
### Read Flash
Command: `R $addr\n` where `$addr` is a memory address `0x8001000->0x8008000`.
256 bytes of raw data are then transferred to the host.
### Write Flash
Command: `W $addr\n` where `$addr` is a memory address `0x8001000->0x8008000`.
256 bytes of raw data are then transferred to the device.
### Application Mode
Command: `v\n`
The device will reboot into application mode. This is typically performed after
flashing firmware completes successfully.