The unified sensor's Device → ESP32 firmware card programs a C5 for you. The Linux sensor performs the USB programming, so the controlling iPhone needs only an HTTPS browser. No browser Web Serial support is required on the phone.
Current all-in-one firmware
For ESP32-C5 boards without a screen, the unified image bundles the all-in-one
development image. It combines BLE capture, USB
spectrum and explicitly controlled RF tools. Its runtime name is airhorn-dev;
use the application SHA-256 to identify the exact build:
65177719e522498093fd359b29014d4f3dc1a7a6100de3a325b599436ebdf7e6
Confirm that fingerprint in the updater before programming each board. This is newer than the separate October 3 experimental download. Screen-equipped boards need their board-specific display firmware. The desktop browser installer offers the separate September stable BLE sniffer; use the sensor updater for this all-in-one image. The owner console also provides the matching image bundle, corresponding source and license downloads.
Check the board and start deliberately
The bundled development firmware is qualified for ESP32-C5 revision 1.0, package 0, 8 MiB flash, using the native Espressif USB connection. The updater refuses other ESP32 families/revisions, secure boot and configured flash encryption. It does not write eFuses or accept arbitrary uploaded firmware.
- Stop the board's active operation and connect its USB data cable to the sensor.
- Sign in as owner and open Device → ESP32 firmware.
- Select the intended board and confirm its MAC address and the proposed image.
- Select Back up and update ESP32. Keep USB connected and the sensor powered.
- Read the job result and confirm the expected idle firmware before using it.
The job continues if the browser page closes. It reads the complete 8 MiB flash twice and requires matching hashes before any programming. Both originals stay in private persistent Data storage. Each programmed region is read back and compared with the bundled firmware digest, then the board is restarted and checked. There is no automatic update or automatic retry.
If bootloader entry fails
Some older firmware cannot enter the serial bootloader automatically. Follow the displayed instructions: hold BOOT, press and release RESET, release BOOT, then retry explicitly. A pre-write failure keeps the board in download mode for the next attempt. A failure after programming starts retains the backup and attempts an idle restart; inspect the recorded write/restart status.
Save or restore the original
Download original backup exports the verified complete flash image. Keep it private because it can contain configuration. Restore saved backup creates a new verified backup of the current flash, restores the selected original and checks all 8 MiB. Backups are bound to their board identity. An interrupted write without a confirmed idle restart requires explicit restoration before another upgrade is accepted.
The lab C5 completed a physical serial upgrade with matching full backups, verified readback of all programmed regions and an idle restart. Physical restoration of the saved original remains unqualified; simulated restore/failure tests do not establish that hardware result. Keep physical access during beta use.
Firmware and sources
Programming uses bundled, pinned tools offline. The console provides the firmware details, original backup and corresponding source/license downloads. Firmware installation and device-access authorization are separate operations. Installing firmware grants no additional permissions and starts no test.
The stable C5 browser installer remains available for the separate stable BLE firmware. Do not confuse its artifact with the development image selected by the sensor updater.