blues · rdlauer · Jul 3, 2026 · Jul 2, 2026 · Jul 3, 2026 · Jul 3, 2026
diff --git a/.github/workflows/hil-circuitpython.yml b/.github/workflows/hil-circuitpython.yml
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ jobs:
       CIRCUITPYTHON_VERSION: ${{ matrix.CIRCUITPYTHON_VERSION}}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout Code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+        uses: actions/checkout@v7
 
       - name: Set Env Vars
         run: |

diff --git a/.github/workflows/hil-micropython.yml b/.github/workflows/hil-micropython.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ jobs:
       MPY_BOARD: ${{matrix.MPY_BOARD}}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout Code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+        uses: actions/checkout@v7
 
       - name: Set Environment Variables
         run: |

diff --git a/.github/workflows/python-ci.yml b/.github/workflows/python-ci.yml
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@ jobs:
           --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
           --header 'X-Session-Token: ${{ secrets.NOTEHUB_SESSION_TOKEN }}' \
           --data '{"req":"note.add","file":"build_results.qi","body":{"result":"building"}}'
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v7
       - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
       - name: Install pipenv

diff --git a/.github/workflows/python-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/python-publish.yml
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ jobs:
   deploy:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v7
       with:
         fetch-depth: 0  # setuptools-scm needs full git history
     - name: Set up Python
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v6
       with:
         python-version: '3.x'
     - name: Install dependencies

diff --git a/.github/workflows/update-notecard-schema.yml b/.github/workflows/update-notecard-schema.yml
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ jobs:
   update-notecard-api:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v7
 
       - name: Set up Python 3.12
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
           python-version: 3.12
 

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ library with:
 - [RaspberryPi](examples/notecard-basics/rpi_example.py)
 - [CircuitPython](examples/notecard-basics/cpy_example.py)
 - [MicroPython](examples/notecard-basics/mpy_example.py)
+- [Notecard Outboard Firmware Update](examples/outboard-dfu/circuit-python/code.py)
 
 ## Contributing
 

diff --git a/examples/outboard-dfu/README.md b/examples/outboard-dfu/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# Notecard Outboard Firmware Update Example
+
+This example demonstrates [Notecard Outboard Firmware Update][odfu], which lets
+you update a host MCU's firmware over-the-air from Notehub with no host code
+required to perform the download. The Notecard receives the new firmware image
+and reprograms the host over the DFU signals on a Notecarrier F.
+
+The [`circuit-python/code.py`](circuit-python/code.py) sample:
+
+1. Configures the Notecard to enable Outboard Firmware Update for the host
+   (`card.dfu`, `card.aux`, and `dfu.status`).
+2. Blinks the built-in LED with a recognizable pattern. This is the "payload"
+   you update over-the-air.
+
+This example targets the [Blues Swan][swan] on a
+[Notecarrier F][notecarrier-f]. Cygnet does not support CircuitPython.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- A [Blues Swan][swan] running CircuitPython
+- A [Notecarrier F][notecarrier-f] with a [Notecard][notecard]
+- A [Notehub](https://notehub.io) account and project
+- The `notecard` package copied into the `lib/notecard` directory of your
+  device (copy the contents of this repo's `notecard/` directory), as described
+  in the repo [README](../../README.md)
+
+## Running the example
+
+1. Set the `ProductUID` on your Notecard (via the [in-browser terminal][repl]
+   or the [Notecard CLI][cli]) so it reports to your Notehub project, or set
+   `productUID` in `code.py`.
+2. Copy `circuit-python/code.py` to your Swan (CircuitPython auto-runs `code.py`
+   on boot). The LED will blink and the Notecard will report firmware version
+   `1.0.0` to Notehub.
+
+## Demonstrating an over-the-air update
+
+1. In `code.py`, change `BLINK_DELAY` (for example to `0.1` for a fast blink)
+   and bump `FIRMWARE_VERSION` (for example to `2.0.0`).
+2. Build a firmware image and upload it to Notehub, then apply the DFU action
+   to the host. See the [Outboard Firmware Update guide][odfu] for the full
+   build-and-upload walkthrough.
+3. Once the update is applied, the LED blink speed changes and Notehub reports
+   the new firmware version — confirming the over-the-air update succeeded.
+
+[odfu]: https://dev.blues.io/notehub/host-firmware-updates/notecard-outboard-firmware-update/
+[swan]: https://shop.blues.com/collections/feather-mcu/products/swan
+[notecard]: https://shop.blues.io/collections/notecard
+[notecarrier-f]: https://shop.blues.io/collections/notecarrier/products/notecarrier-f
+[repl]: https://dev.blues.io/terminal/
+[cli]: https://dev.blues.io/tools-and-sdks/notecard-cli/
diff --git a/examples/outboard-dfu/circuit-python/code.py b/examples/outboard-dfu/circuit-python/code.py
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+"""note-python CircuitPython Outboard Firmware Update example.
+
+This file contains a complete working sample for demonstrating Notecard
+Outboard Firmware Update from CircuitPython. It configures the Notecard to
+enable Outboard Firmware Update for the host, then blinks the built-in LED with
+a recognizable pattern that serves as the "payload" you update over-the-air.
+
+To demonstrate an update: change BLINK_DELAY (and bump FIRMWARE_VERSION) below,
+build a new firmware image, upload it to Notehub, and apply the DFU action to
+the host. The blink speed (and reported version) will change once the update
+is applied.
+
+This example targets the Blues Swan on a Notecarrier F. Cygnet does not support
+CircuitPython.
+"""
+import time
+import board
+import digitalio
+import notecard
+from notecard import card as card_helper
+from notecard import dfu as dfu_helper
+from notecard import hub as hub_helper
+
+# The unique Product Identifier for your device. Claim one in a Notehub project.
+productUID = "com.your-company.your-project"
+
+# The firmware version reported to Notehub via dfu.status. Bump this (and change
+# BLINK_DELAY) when you build a new image to update to.
+FIRMWARE_VERSION = "1.0.0"
+
+# Seconds the LED stays on/off. Change this to make the update visually obvious.
+BLINK_DELAY = 0.5
+
+
+def configure_outboard_dfu(card):
+    """Put the Notecard online and enable Outboard Firmware Update for the host.
+
+    Outboard Firmware Update requires the Notecard to be in "continuous" or
+    "periodic" mode. On a Notecarrier F the DFU signals are routed over the
+    Notecard's shared AUX pins, so card.dfu uses mode "aux" and card.aux is set
+    to "off" to free those pins for DFU.
+    """
+    hub_helper.set(card, product=productUID, mode="continuous",
+                   sn="circuitpython-notecard")
+
+    # Enable Outboard Firmware Update and tell the Notecard the host MCU type.
+    card_helper.dfu(card, name="stm32", on=True, mode="aux")
+
+    # Free the AUX pins so they can be used for Outboard Firmware Update.
+    card_helper.aux(card, mode="off")
+
+    # Enable host DFU and report the running firmware version to Notehub.
+    dfu_helper.status(card, on=True, version=FIRMWARE_VERSION)
+
+
+def main():
+    """Enable Outboard DFU, then blink the built-in LED as the update payload."""
+    i2c = board.I2C()
+    card = notecard.OpenI2C(i2c, 0, 0, debug=True)
+
+    configure_outboard_dfu(card)
+
+    led = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.LED)
+    led.direction = digitalio.Direction.OUTPUT
+
+    print("Running firmware version {}. Hit CTRL-C to stop.".format(FIRMWARE_VERSION))
+    while True:
+        led.value = True
+        time.sleep(BLINK_DELAY)
+        led.value = False
+        time.sleep(BLINK_DELAY)
+
+
+main()