Introduction to QDL and Image Flashing

2025-06-21

Before performing the QuecPi Alpha firmware burning, please ensure that the Qualcomm_USB_Driver_v1.0.10065.1 driver has been installed. If not, you can access drivers-install.md to install it.

Use QDL Flash Tool

Ensure ModemManager is Not Running

  • Prerequisite: if you are using Linux distribution systemd, note that some distributions include ModemManager, a tool for configuring mobile broadband. When a device is connected in USB mode, it may be recognized as a Qualcomm modem, and ModemManager will attempt to configure the device. This will interfere with QDL flashing, so disable ModemManager before connecting the device by executing:
sudo systemctl stop ModemManager

Download QDL Tool

Linux x64 download link: https://developer.quectel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/QDL_Linux_x64.zip

Windows x64 download link: https://developer.quectel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/QDL_Win_x64.zip

Flashing the Image

Enable EMG_DOWNLOAD and power on the module to make the module enter the QDL emergency download mode.

Linux x64

  1. Extract the QDL_Linux_x64 compressed file.Open a terminal window in the directory containing firmware programs, rawprogram.xml, patch.xml and the QDL binary files.

  2. Run the QDL executable in the QDL_Linux_x64 directory with the following command:

./qdl --storage ufs prog_firehose_Qcm6490_ddr.elf  rawprogram*.xml patch*.xml

A successful flash is indicated by the message "partition 1 is now bootable" in the terminal window, as shown below:

After flashing, view the device information in the terminal window by executing Isusb. See the example below:

Windows x64

1.Install Microsoft WinUSB.

  • Uninstall other drivers of this device. Make sure no drivers such as Qualcomm USB driver are installed. You should not see this device under the "COM Ports" section in the Device Manager. If you do see it there, make sure to select "Delete the driver software for this device".
  • Right-click on the device (qcm6490-idp) in the Device Manager, then select "Update Driver", choose "Browse my computer for driver software", and on the next page, select "Let me choose from the list of available drivers on my computer", then you will see the prompt as shown in the picture. Select "WinUSB Device", click "Next", and when prompted with a warning, select "Yes" to update.

2.Extract the QDL_Win_x64 compressed file. Put the firmware program, the files such as "rawprogram.xml" and "patch.xml", as well as the QDL executable file together.

3.Open the Cmd window and use the following command to run the QDL executable file in the QDL_Win_x64 directory.

The burn operation was successful as shown in the following picture:

Notes

If flashing fails, follow the following steps and try aiagn:

  1. Power off the device.
  2. Disconnect QuecPi Alpha.
  3. Restart QuecPi Alpha and retry the flashing process.