To communicate with the Ellipse, you need to properly configure the switches (SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5) on the development board. SW6 is used to flash a firmware.

Configure the switches for the communication

SW4 and SW5 should be combined together to enable following functions :

If you want to use the PORT A in RS-422 (so disable PORT E) set the switches as below.

SW4SW5

If you want to use the PORT A in RS-232 and the u-blox receiver on the board set the switches as below (to use the GNSS receiver on the board, you have to configure the PORT E baud rate at 9600).

SW4SW5

If you want to use both PORT A and E in RS-232, set the switches as below.

SW4SW5

The SW1 is used for the SYNC B configuration :

In the position  , the SYNC B is enabled with the USB RTS signal.

In the position , the SYNC B is enabled directly through X2.


The SW2 is used for the SYNC A configuration :

In the position , the SYNC A is connected to the u-blox GNSS PPS.

In the position , the SYNC A is enabled directly through X2.


The SW3 is used to enable / disable termination resistor on the CAN bus :

In the position , the 120 Ohm termination is activated.

In the position , no termination is activated.

Flashing a firmware using the Ellipse Micro development board

The Ellipse Micro has two different variants :

  • M1 which operates by default in RS-422 (and can be configured in RS-232)
  • M2 which operates by default in RS-232 (and can be configured in RS-422)

Regardless of the user mode of communication in normal use, the default mode of operation is always used during the bootloader procedure to flash a new firmware.

If you are using the Ellipse Micro in its default mode of communication, the flashing procedure should work without specific attention.

If you changed the mode of communication of your Ellipse micro to a custom one, then please follow this procedure when updating a firmware:

Non default flashing procedure

This procedure applies when you attempt to flash a new firmware or if you use the sbgFirmwareUpdater to restore default settings.

M1 procedure (RS-422 flashing)

  • Plug the Ellipse Micro on the development board.
  • Configure the Select on the development board RS-422 mode by setting the SW4 and SW5 in following positions :SW4SW5
  • Launch sbgFirmwareUpdater.
  • When sbgFirmwareUpdater asks you to disconnect the unit, press Next.
  • When sbgFirmwareUpdater asks you to reconnect the unit, press Reset button (SW6) and wait for the process to complete.
  • Put back the evaluation board switches to match the Ellipse configuration (RS-232mode ).

M2 procedure (RS-232 flashing)

  • Plug the Ellipse Micro on the development board.
  • Configure the Select on the development board RS-232 mode by setting the SW4 and SW5 in following positions : SW4SW5
  • Launch sbgFirmwareUpdater.
  • When sbgFirmwareUpdater asks you to disconnect the unit, press Next.
  • When sbgFirmwareUpdater asks you to reconnect the unit, press Reset button (SW6) and wait for the process to complete.
  • Put back the evaluation board switches to match the Ellipse configuration (RS-422 mode).

More information about sbgFirmwareUpdater are available on how to: Update Ellipse firmware.