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Android Build and Flashing

Install Source Dependencies​

The original manual uses Ubuntu 14.04 64-bit. Update the package list before installing dependencies:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install git-core gnupg openjdk-7-jdk flex bison gperf libsdl-dev libwxgtk2.8-dev build-essential zip curl libncurses5-dev zlib1g-dev genromfs u-boot-tools libxml2-utils texinfo mercurial subversion whois
sudo apt-get install lsb-core libc6-dev-i386 g++-multilib lib32z1-dev lib32ncurses5-dev

The cross-compiler is already integrated in the source package:

Sourcetree/prebuilts/gcc/Linux-x86/arm/arm-eabi-4.8

If the system GCC is too new, switch to GCC 4.8:

sudo apt-get install gcc-4.8 g++-4.8 g++-4.8-multilib

cd /usr/bin
sudo mv gcc gcc.bk
sudo ln -s gcc-4.8 gcc
sudo mv g++ g++.bk
sudo ln -s g++-4.8 g++

Install Android Source Package​

The source package name depends on the actual release. The original manual uses x3128_marshmallow.tar.bz2 as an example:

cp yourcdromdir/source/x3128_marshmallow.tar.bz2 ~/
cd
tar xvf x3128_marshmallow.tar.bz2
cd x3128_marshmallow
git checkout .

Build Commands​

Build as a normal user. Do not use root.

./mk.sh -u    # Build U-Boot
./mk.sh -k    # Build Android kernel
./mk.sh -s    # Build Android file system
./mk.sh -U    # Generate unified update image
./mk.sh -h    # Show help

The output is usually generated under out/release. Common files include:

  • RK3128MiniLoaderAll_V2.31.bin: loader / U-Boot related image. The actual name may vary by release.
  • kernel.img: kernel image.
  • resource.img: resource image, including boot logo and device tree information.
  • boot.img: Android boot image.
  • system.img: Android system partition image.
  • recovery.img: recovery image.
  • misc.img: partition used for boot-mode switching and recovery parameters.
  • update-Android.img: unified update firmware.

Flash update.img on Windows​

After installing the Rockchip driver, open AndroidTool, choose the upgrade firmware tab, and load update-Android.img. Hold the Recovery key, connect USB OTG and 12V DC power, and click Upgrade after a LOADER device is detected.

AndroidTool firmware selection

For batch flashing, use FactoryTool. Select the firmware, enable Upgrade, click Start, and connect devices one by one.

FactoryTool batch flashing

Flashing with upgrade_tool on Linux​

Example tool path:

RKTools/Linux/Linux_Upgrade_Tool_v1.2

Copy update-Android.img to the same directory as upgrade_tool, then run:

sudo ./upgrade_tool

Common commands:

CD                    Select device
SD                    Switch to rockusb upgrade mode
UF update-Android.img Upgrade full firmware
UL loader.bin         Upgrade loader
DI -k kernel.img      Flash kernel.img
DI -s system.img      Flash system.img
DI resource resource.img
DI -r recovery.img
EF                    Erase flash

You can also run from out/release:

sudo upgrade_tool di -k kernel.img
sudo upgrade_tool di -s system.img
sudo upgrade_tool di resource resource.img
sudo upgrade_tool di -r recovery.img
sudo upgrade_tool ul RK3128MiniLoaderAll_V2.31.bin
sudo upgrade_tool uf update-Android.img

Rkflashkit​

Rkflashkit provides both GUI and command-line modes for flashing, backup, erase, and reboot operations:

sudo apt-get install build-essential fakeroot
git clone https://github.com/Linuxerwang/rkflashkit
cd rkflashkit
./waf debian
sudo apt-get install python-gtk2
sudo dpkg -i rkflashkit_0.1.4_all.deb
sudo rkflashkit

Command-line example:

sudo rkflashkit flash @boot boot.img @kernel.img kernel.img reboot