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Setting Up & Flashing the OS

Setting up a Linux-based device requires choosing the right operating system, configuring cloud connectivity, and flashing the necessary firmware. While some devices support quick developer images, others require a more professional, OTA-upgradable image, which may involve a more detailed installation process.

This guide provides a high-level overview of the setup process, with links to device-specific pages for detailed instructions.

Flashing Tachyon?
If you are setting up a Tachyon device, refer to the Tachyon Setup Guide.

1. Choosing Your Installation Path​

There are two primary ways to install an OS on a Particle-supported Linux device:

Option 1: Quick Developer Image​

  • Designed for single developers getting started quickly.
  • Pre-configured with Particle services and default settings.
  • No A/B partitioning or advanced OTA support.

Option 2: OTA-Upgradable Image​

  • Ideal for production deployments.
  • Supports A/B partitioning for seamless OS updates.
  • Requires additional installation steps to set up OTA support.

Check Supported Devices to determine which installation path is available for your hardware.

2. Selecting & Installing the OS​

Each device supports a specific set of OS images. These fall into two categories:

  • Hosted by Particle, with pre-configured cloud connectivity.
  • Includes built-in support for OTA updates.
  • Optimized for AI workloads and containerized applications.

To install a Particle-supported OS, use the CLI:

particle flash --rb3-gen2 IMAGE.ZIP

Third-Party OS Images • Provided by Qualcomm, NVIDIA, Raspberry Pi, and others. • Requires manual setup for cloud services and OTA updates. • May require additional drivers or tools.

Refer to Qualcomm Linux, NVIDIA Jetson, or your device’s documentation for details.

  1. Installing Required Tools

Depending on the device, additional software tools may be required. Some common ones include:

Tool Purpose Applies To Particle CLI Unified setup and flashing All devices Balena Etcher Flashing .img files Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson QFIL Qualcomm device flashing Qualcomm-based devices fastboot Android/Linux firmware flashing Some Qualcomm/NXP boards

Refer to your device’s setup page for the exact tools required.

  1. Flashing the OS

Once the correct OS image is selected, the flashing process may require third-party utilities or Particle CLI tools. This varies by device: • For first-party Particle-supported devices, the process is streamlined:

particle flash --rb3-gen2 IMAGE.ZIP

• For third-party OS images, follow the manufacturer’s flashing process. For example: • Raspberry Pi: Use Balena Etcher. • Qualcomm RB3 Gen2: Use QFIL or fastboot. • NVIDIA Jetson: Use SDK Manager or flash.sh.

Check your device’s page for step-by-step flashing instructions.

  1. Future CLI Enhancements

Particle is working on integrating third-party flashing tools into our CLI to provide a unified experience. Over time, this will simplify setup by eliminating the need for multiple utilities.

Next Steps • Check Your Device’s Setup Guide • Learn More About OTA Updates • Explore Edge AI Demos