nt-flash 1.0.2

Flash firmware to Expert Sleepers Disting NT Eurorack module

nt_flash

A command-line tool for flashing firmware to the Expert Sleepers Disting NT Eurorack module.

Installation

pip install nt-flash

This installs the nt_flash command and all dependencies (including NXP SPSDK).

Requirements

• Python 3.9 or later
• USB access to the Disting NT in bootloader mode

Usage

# Flash from a local package
nt_flash manufacturing_package.zip

# Flash from a URL
nt_flash --url https://example.com/firmware.zip

# Show help
nt_flash --help

Options

Option	Description
-u, --url URL	Download package from URL
-t, --timeout SECS	Device detection timeout (default: 60)
-v, --verbose	Enable verbose output
--version	Show version
-h, --help	Show help

Exit Codes

Code	Meaning
0	Success
1	Invalid arguments
2	Package error (invalid or missing files)
3	Download failed
4	Device not found (timeout)
5	Flash error

Progress Output

The tool outputs structured progress messages for integration with other tools:

EXTRACTING
PACKAGE_INFO 1.2.3
WAITING_BOOTLOADER
DEVICE_DETECTED sdp
UPLOADING_FLASHLOADER 100%
DEVICE_DETECTED mboot
CONFIGURING_MEMORY
ERASING 100%
WRITING 100%
RESETTING
COMPLETE

Firmware Package Format

The tool expects a ZIP file (manufacturing_package.zip) containing:

• MANIFEST.json - Package metadata
• *flashloader*.bin - NXP flashloader binary
• disting_NT.bin - Disting NT firmware binary

How It Works

1. Extracts flashloader and firmware from the package
2. Waits for device in SDP bootloader mode (USB 0x1FC9:0x0135)
3. Uploads flashloader to RAM and executes it
4. Waits for flashloader to enumerate (USB 0x15A2:0x0073)
5. Configures FlexSPI NOR memory
6. Erases flash region
7. Writes firmware at offset 0x1000
8. Resets device to boot new firmware

This is a wrapper around NXP SPSDK CLI tools (blhost and sdphost), using separate subprocess calls for each operation to ensure clean USB state.

Why Subprocess?

The SPSDK Python API has USB HID buffer state issues when multiple operations share the same connection. Using subprocess calls to the CLI tools (which each run in a fresh process) ensures reliable operation. See SPSDK issue discussion for details.

License

MIT License