BK7231N Generic Smart Switch: Aliexpress Flashing, Soldering Cables & CloudCutter Issues

Question 1

Yes. The RX, TX, GND, and VDD pads are in the same places on both. "The pinout is the same for both versions." [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538978]

Answer

Yes. The RX, TX, GND, and VDD pads are in the same places on both. "The pinout is the same for both versions." [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538978]

Question 2

Cross‑connect UART: adapter TX to device RX, and adapter RX to device TX. Tie grounds together. The moderator confirmed this wiring looked correct in the thread. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

Answer

Cross‑connect UART: adapter TX to device RX, and adapter RX to device TX. Tie grounds together. The moderator confirmed this wiring looked correct in the thread. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

Question 3

Do not use the USB‑to‑UART adapter’s small 3.3 V regulator to power the Wi‑Fi module. Feed 5 V to the board’s AMS1117‑3.3 input so it outputs 3.3 V. Weak LDO power can cause flashing issues or unstable resets. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538948]

Answer

Do not use the USB‑to‑UART adapter’s small 3.3 V regulator to power the Wi‑Fi module. Feed 5 V to the board’s AMS1117‑3.3 input so it outputs 3.3 V. Weak LDO power can cause flashing issues or unstable resets. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538948]

Question 4

Use the labeled image in the linked WBP‑1G post. It identifies RX, TX, 3.3 V (VDD), and GND for a matching board layout. Verify your pads against that reference before soldering. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538998]

Answer

Use the labeled image in the linked WBP‑1G post. It identifies RX, TX, 3.3 V (VDD), and GND for a matching board layout. Verify your pads against that reference before soldering. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538998]

Question 5

Use BK7231 GUI Flash Tool or the Python hid_download_py utility. These are the recommended tools in the BK7231N tutorials shared by the moderator. Follow the video guides for step order. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538885]

Answer

Use BK7231 GUI Flash Tool or the Python hid_download_py utility. These are the recommended tools in the BK7231N tutorials shared by the moderator. Follow the video guides for step order. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538885]

Question 6

Fall back to UART flashing. Use the BK7231 GUI Flash Tool or hid_download_py to program firmware over serial. This approach is recommended for BK7231N when OTA methods fail. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538885]

Answer

Fall back to UART flashing. Use the BK7231 GUI Flash Tool or hid_download_py to program firmware over serial. This approach is recommended for BK7231N when OTA methods fail. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538885]

Question 7

In this thread, the user connected CEN for flashing mode and then completed a successful OpenBK flash. If your setup matches, that approach can work. [Elektroda, giovannij600, post #20539031]

Answer

In this thread, the user connected CEN for flashing mode and then completed a successful OpenBK flash. If your setup matches, that approach can work. [Elektroda, giovannij600, post #20539031]

Question 8

Yes. The original poster reported success flashing the latest OpenBK using the GUI Flash Tool after wiring the UART pads. That validates the method described here. [Elektroda, giovannij600, post #20539031]

Answer

Yes. The original poster reported success flashing the latest OpenBK using the GUI Flash Tool after wiring the UART pads. That validates the method described here. [Elektroda, giovannij600, post #20539031]

Question 9

Four connections are required: RX, TX, GND, and 3.3 V (VDD) to power the module. Keep leads short for reliability. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538978]

Answer

Four connections are required: RX, TX, GND, and 3.3 V (VDD) to power the module. Keep leads short for reliability. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538978]

Question 10

Provide a sharp macro photo or rely on a matching reference image. The moderator could not confirm pads from a low‑quality photo and pointed to a labeled diagram instead. Clear visuals prevent mistakes. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538840]

Answer

Provide a sharp macro photo or rely on a matching reference image. The moderator could not confirm pads from a low‑quality photo and pointed to a labeled diagram instead. Clear visuals prevent mistakes. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538840]

Question 11

Confirm adapter TX goes to device RX, adapter RX to device TX, and grounds are common. The moderator responded that such connections "looks okay" in this case. Double‑check before applying power. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

Answer

Confirm adapter TX goes to device RX, adapter RX to device TX, and grounds are common. The moderator responded that such connections "looks okay" in this case. Double‑check before applying power. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

Question 12

Yes. After a successful flash, the moderator requested a firmware backup from the user. Creating a backup beforehand helps troubleshooting and sharing device data. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

Answer

Yes. After a successful flash, the moderator requested a firmware backup from the user. Creating a backup beforehand helps troubleshooting and sharing device data. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

Question 13

Answer

Identify RX, TX, GND, and VDD pads on the board and solder leads.
Cross‑connect RX↔TX, tie GND, and power the board appropriately.
Use BK7231 GUI Flash Tool or hid_download_py to write OpenBK over serial. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538885]

BK7231N Generic Smart Switch: Aliexpress Flashing, Soldering Cables & CloudCutter Issues

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