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How to Update Your AV-20-S (Software 1.8 Upgrade)

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Tech Tip Tuesday: How to Update Your AV-20 (Software 1.8 Upgrade)

 

Keeping your AV-20 running smoothly is easy when you know the steps! In this Tech Tip Tuesday, we walk you through updating your AV-20 unit, regardless if it is the AV-20-S or AV-20-E, to the latest Software Version 1.8. This video is designed to be simple and straightforward, so even if you’re new to firmware updates, you can follow along confidently. 

Please note that you will want to separate time out to complete this process, as it can take 15-30 minutes, depending on your internet connection and whether or not you have your update harness ready. Follow the following instructions carefully, below:

Before getting started, make sure you have the following:

  1. Your AV-20 unit
  2. Sabrent USB to RS-232 Serial Adapter (SBT-USC6K)
  3. CostAero AV-20 Updating Cable
  4. The latest AV-20 updated software is installed onto your desktop/laptop [can be found in Service Bulletins] 

Part 1: Disabling XPDR CRTL (AV-20-E ONLY)

If you have the tailBeaconX enabled OR if you have the AV-20-S, you can skip this part.

  1. Disable the transponder control page on the AV-20. Using the right button, press the button to scroll through the pages until you arrive to the SETUP menu.
  2. Once in the SETUP menu page, press the left and right button simultaneously. This will immediately make the text highlighted in pink, to make a selection in the SETUP menu.
  3. Press the bottom left button 1X to move to PAGE ENABLE. Press the right button 1X to select.
  4. Press the left button 2X to reach XPRD CTRL (transponder control) and then press the right button 1X to disable the page.
  5. To exit, press the left and right button simultaneously. This will close the page enable screen and it will go back to your display screen.

Part 2: Downloading and Installing the Sabrent Drivers

If you are using the USB to RS-232 Serial Adapter (SBT-USC6K), you will need to download the Windows driver from their website.

  1. Navigate to: https://sabrent.com/products/sbt-usc6k and click the “Downloads” tab and select the blue “Download” button under the prolific driver for Windows, located at the bottom right of the page.
  2. Moving onto the installation of Sabrent drivers. First, locate where your file was downloaded to your device (i.e., downloads folder, desktop).
  3. Once located, double-click on the folder named: Prolific Drivers – Windows Drivers.
    • You will see a “Windows” folder open up. Double-click this folder to open.
    • Two folders will open up. You can click either one, as they both contain the same installation executable.
    • Once you have entered the folder, you double-click on the file that contains LogoDriver Setup.
      • NOTE: You may get a pop-up that says: “This application may depend on other compressed files in this folder. For the application to run properly, it is recommended that you first extract all files.” Click “Run” to proceed with the setup.
    • You will get another window pop-up that asks if you want to make changes to your device, select “Yes.”
    • The installer will then be displayed. Press “Next” to continue.
    • Then select “Finish” once the installation is complete.
How to Install and Run the AV Update Tool
  1. Navigate to: https://support.uavionix.com/
  2. You can either type in “AV-20-S” in the search bar OR you can click “General Aviation.” Then, select the product AV-20-S.
  3. Under “Software Updates” you will click on “AV-20-S Service Bulletins” and then click on the Bulletin title “AV-20-S Service Bulletin Software Upgrade to 1.8.0.”
    • Note at the bottom there are four red links—the first is the video tutorial for the update, the second is the software, the third is a PDF with instructions on how to upgrade, and lastly, is the AV Update Tool.
    • The AV tool works for both the AV-30 and AV-20.
  4. You will want to download both the software and the AV update tool.
  5. After downloading the update tool, locate where it was downloaded onto your computer or you can look in your recent “downloads” folder in your browser.
  6. Windows will then ask again if you would like to make changes to your device, select “Yes,” to proceed.
  7. You will then be able to see the AV tool.

Part 3: Updating Your AV-20

If you are building your own harness or need a diagram for reference, take a look at the AV-20-S Installation Manual (p.13) or the AV-20-E Installation Manual (p. 12). The update wiring diagram is the same for both devices. Make sure that in the end, you connect the remaining USBN to your computer.

For more specific instructions, please download and read: AV-20-S Service Bulletin Upgrade to 1.8.0 UAV-1007937-002  [ Revision B – 9/15/25 ]

Once your AV-20 is connected to your Windows computer, follow the instructions below:

  1. First, click the drop-down menu next to Step 1: Select Serial Port in the AV-Update Tool.
    • Select the serial COM port you see listed.
    • NOTE: If you do not see any COM ports listed, the Sabrent drivers may need to be reinstalled. The COM port listed is not an actual device, you will only see this to show that the driver was installed correctly.
    • Next, click “Connect.” You should now see a green square at the top right of the program window (above Bootloader Heartbeat).
      • If you don’t see the green square, try selecting a different COM port AND/OR double check the connections between your AV-20 and your computer.
  2. Now, under “Step 2: Select Update File,” select the update file specific to your AV-20 model. Make sure that the file name has AV20S or AV20E.
    • Installing the wrong file will cause the unit to show an error every time you power up the unit.
  3. After selecting the correct file, go down to “Step 3: Program Unit” and click “Write Firmware.” Allow several minutes for this process to be completed. Once complete, it will say “Update Complete” at the bottom of the tool screen.
    • On the right-hand-side you will see a column that reads: “Activity Log.” When the firmware update has completed, it will note “Update Complete” in that Activity Log.
  4. At this point, you are safe to disconnect the AV-20 from your computer.

Part 4: Post-Update Common Issues & Fixes

If your AV-20 displays the error message “Calibration Err Do not fly,” verify that you are using the correct BIN file for your device. The AV-20-S and AV-20-E use different BIN files for this update (see the most recent Service Bulletin for the correct BIN file).

Part 5: Post-Update Checks and Configuration

If you have successfully completed the newest software update (1.8.0), you will note that the AOA on the display screen has a red X over it. It will remain this way until you reach 25 knots of air speed.

  1. Using the right button, navigate through the pages until you reach the SETUP menu.
  2. Press both the bottom left and right button simultaneously to enter the menu.
    • NOTE: Remember that every time you re-enter the SETUP menu, you will need to simultaneously press the left and right button to re-enter and scroll through the SETUP menu.
  3. Press the left button to scroll down the SETUP menu until you reach MISC OPTIONS and press the right button 1X to enter that menu.
    • The options in the Miscellaneous menu are:
      • BLUE BG (changing to blue background instead of black)
      • TEMP IN C (changing to Fahrenheit)
      • 24H TIME
      • TAS IN KT
      • G POPUP
      • AOA POP UP
      • AI POPUP
      • SLIP TRIM
      • ROLL TRIM
      • PITCH TRIM
      • OAT TRIM
      • HARD CAL
      • PITOT ZERO
      • SYSTEM INFO
    • Press the left button to scroll down the menu and then press the right button on the “AOA POP UP” to disable (right side will say DIS)
    • Press the left and right button simultaneously to go back to the SETUP page.
  4. Use the left button to scroll through the SETUP menu and press the right button 1X to select SLIP TRIM. Here you can adjust the SLIP TRIM by using the left top and bottom buttons to adjust the white ball in between the two blue lines, until the ball is in the middle of the lines. Once you have completed this step, press the right button 1X to select OK. This will take you back to the SETUP menu.
  5. In the SETUP menu, use the left button to scroll through and select ROLL TRIM, by pressing the right button 1X. Here you can adjust using the left top and bottom button and then pressing the right button 1X to select OK. This will take you back to the SETUP menu.
  6. In the SETUP menu, use the bottom left button to scroll through and select PITCH TRIM, by pressing the right button 1X. Here you can adjust using the left top and bottom button. You want these values (trim and pitch [deg]) to match up as closely as possible. Once you have matched them up, press the right button 1X to select OK. This will take you back to the SETUP menu.
  7. In the SETUP menu, use the bottom left button to scroll through and select HARD CAL, by  pressing the right button 1X. Press the right button 1X to select “GO.” Wait for it to finish and it will automatically go back to the SETUP menu.
  8. In the SETUP menu, use the bottom left to scroll through and select PITOT ZERO, by pressing the right button 1X. Press the right button 2X to select “GO.” Once it has completed, the screen will read “Success.” Press the right button 1X to select OK. This will take you back to the SETUP menu.
  9. In the SETUP menu, use right button to select SYSTEM INFO to make sure the software version is correct. Under “SW VERSION” it should now say: 1.8.0.

Resources & Links: AV-20-E Service Bulletin (Software Upgrade 1.8): https://uavionix.com/service-bulletin... 

AV-20-S Service Bulletin (Software Upgrade 1.8): https://uavionix.com/service-bulletin... 

CostAero AV-20 Updating Cable: https://costaero.com/product/av-20s-u... 

Sabrent USB to RS-232 Serial Adapter (SBT-USC6K): https://sabrent.com/products/sbt-usc6k 

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