HEX and INO files
Need of.HEX file
Example: INO File
HEX file
Generating HEX files
Software to upload.HEX file into Arduino microcontroller
video
JLCPCB
Here are some exciting projects, which you may like

Published February 5, 2022 © GPL3+

Generate and Upload.HEX files into Arduino

We will generate.HEX files using Arduino IDE and then using a very simple method, Flash the Arduino using these.HEX files

BeginnerProtip-30 minutes24,378

Generate and Upload.HEX files into Arduino

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino UNO

Software apps and online services

JLCPCB EasyEDA

Story

Hello guys, today I am documenting how to upload.hex files into Arduino microcontroller. This simple tutorial will COVER some main topics like:

How to generate.HEX file from.INO file.
Which software we can use.
How to upload this hex file into Arduino.

HEX and INO files:

A HEX file is a hexadecimal source file typically used by programmable logic devices, such as microcontrollers in remote controls, office machines, and automobile engine control systems. It contains settings, configuration information, or other data saved in a hexadecimal format.

An.INO file is also known as Arduino compatible file, Which can be edited using Arduino IDE. Means, A software program created to use with Arduino. These files are written in wiring C/C++ language.

Need of.HEX file:

Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform. If you share.INO file, anyone can edit or see the main program. But HEX files are much more secure than.INO, no one can edit them because of the Hexadecimal format.

Example: INO File:

ARDUINO FILE EXAMPLE

HEX file:

HEX FILE EXAMPLE

So It is like encoding your files, But there are some programs available through which we can extract the hex files directly from the Microcontroller and upload them to any other microcontroller. But we can't edit them. And the main program remains like copyrighted.

Generating HEX files:

We are starting from the most basic Blink example,

Go to Arduino IDE and open the written program, Don't use prewritten programs from examples. But you can copy them into a new tab and then save them as.INO file.

start with a blink program

In the preference section under the file menu, Tick the compilation button.

Tick the compilation button

Verify your sketch, not upload it, only verify.

compiling the program

Search for the.HEX format in the compilations section and copy the address

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Paste the address in the search tab of file explorer, make sure to tick the option of show hidden files.

path to Hex file

Then copy the.HEX file from that temporary folder and paste this on the desktop.

Now our Hex file is ready, and we can use this as we want, like in simulation circuit programs, virtual Arduino lab experiments, and program the Arduino board.

Software to upload.HEX file into Arduino microcontroller:

We are using X-loader to flash the.HEX files into Arduino Board; this is open-source software and can be downloaded directly from here.

Software to flash Hex files

Extract the software from the files and then run it.

1 / 2

Then, locate the file or choose the.HEX file you want to upload.

Plug the Arduino board into the PC.

Choose your COM port and Microcontroller.

1 / 2

Don't change the baud rate and upload the file.

And this will upload the file, and this X-loader supports 4-5 microcontrollers listed in the list.

Atmega168, Atmega2560-Mega, Atmega328p, Arduino Nano and UNO.

If you want to use any other microcontroller, then AVRDUDESS can do the job. In future, we will document a separate tutorial on this one also. For proper instructions and better understanding see this video.

video:

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

For Hindi try this one:

LANGUAGE: HINDI

JLCPCB:

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5) Raspberry Pi- PICO Oscilloscope.

See my Oscilloscope project

Think you enjoyed my work, stay tuned. Follow us on Instagram (sagar_saini_7294) and hackaday.

please support us- No donations, just follow and leave a comment.

Use this sketch

// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
  // initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);   // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);                       // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);    // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);                       // wait for a second
}

Credits

sagar saini

78 projects • 80 followers

I am Sagar Saini an electronic hardware enthusiast

Generate and Upload.HEX files into Arduino