Sending commands to the board

Connecting to the OBC CLI Through WSL2

This guide explains how to connect to the OBC board CLI through WSL2 or Linux using the Ground Station CLI.

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Quick Reference (Steps Needed Every Time)

If this is your first time setting this up, jump to First-Time Setup first.

1. Activate the Python Virtual Environment

Follow the repository setup instructions and ensure the Python virtual environment is activated.

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2. Connect the OBC Board

Connect the OBC board (Launchpad, Revisions, etc.) to your laptop through USB.

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3. Ensure Firmware is Flashed

Ensure the board is flashed with:

• main, or
• another branch where app_main.c starts the task scheduler and communication FreeRTOS tasks.

This can be flashed using TI UniFlash.

• Flashing guide

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4. Forward the USB Device to WSL2 (WSL2 Only)

Skip this section if you are booting directly into Linux.

Important Notes

• Ensure PuTTY or any other serial monitor is closed.
• Only one process can access a serial port at a time.

Open PowerShell as Administrator

Run:

usbipd list

Look for the XDS110 device and note the BUSID.

Example:

BUSID  DEVICE
5-2    Texas Instruments XDS110

Attach the USB Device to WSL2

Run:

usbipd attach --wsl --busid 5-2

Replace 5-2 with your actual BUSID.

You must repeat this step every time you unplug and reconnect the USB device.

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5. Find the Linux Serial Port

Inside WSL2, run:

cd /dev
ls

Look for either:

• ttyUSB0
• ttyACM0

If multiple exist, try each one.

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6. Launch the Ground Station CLI

Navigate to the root of the orbital repository with the CLI, and run:

python -m gs.backend.gs_cli.ground_station_cli /dev/ttyUSB0

Or:

python -m gs.backend.gs_cli.ground_station_cli /dev/ttyACM0

As of May 11, 2026, the module path is:

gs.backend.gs_cli.ground_station_cli

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7. Troubleshooting

If the CLI does not open:

• Try other /dev/ttyUSB* or /dev/ttyACM* devices.
• Verify the board is outputting logs using PuTTY on Windows.
• Re-attach the USB device with usbipd attach.
• Ask a lead for assistance if nothing works.

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First-Time Setup

Install usbipd

If using WSL2, Windows does not automatically expose USB devices to WSL.

Install usbipd:

• Official installation guide: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/connect-usb#install-usbipd-on-wsl

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Verify usbipd is Running

1. Open Services on Windows.
2. Scroll alphabetically until you find:

USBIP Device Host (or something similar)

3. Ensure the service is running.

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Initial USB Binding

This only needs to be done once per USB device.

Open PowerShell as Administrator.

First, find the BUSID:

usbipd list

Then bind the device:

usbipd bind --busid 5-2

Replace 5-2 with your BUSID.

After binding once, future reconnects only require:

usbipd attach --wsl --busid {YOUR-BUSID}

Now that usbipd is set up, go back and complete the steps.

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Additional Notes

• This workflow replaces using PuTTY for UART logging. It also allows you to send commands to the board and see responses.
• The Ground Station CLI communicates directly over the forwarded USB serial port using UART.
• If you are using native Linux instead of WSL2, no usbipd setup is required.