Allwinner+a133+firmware+work -
The sunxi-fel tool is your lifeline. Build it from source:
git clone https://github.com/linux-sunxi/sunxi-tools
cd sunxi-tools
make
sudo make install
Test connection: sunxi-fel ver. A response like AWUSBAXI_003 confirms the A133 is in FEL mode.
Firmware work extends beyond bootloaders into the Linux kernel's firmware subsystem. The A133 relies on binary blobs for certain co-processors.
The Allwinner A133 is a powerful, cost-effective application processor designed for tablets, automotive infotainment, smart displays, and industrial control panels. As a 64-bit, quad-core Cortex-A53 chip, it balances performance and power efficiency. However, working with its firmware—from bootloaders to Android or Linux images—can be challenging. This post is a deep dive into the A133 firmware ecosystem, covering build environments, boot flow, partitioning, and common customization tasks. allwinner+a133+firmware+work
An A133 firmware release typically contains:
| File | Description |
|------|-------------|
| boot0_sdcard.fex | First-stage bootloader for SD card |
| boot0_nand.fex | First-stage for NAND/eMMC |
| u-boot.fex | U-Boot binary |
| boot_package.fex | Packed boot resources (DTB, logo, etc.) |
| system.fex | Android system image |
| vendor.fex | Vendor-specific binaries and libs |
| config.fex | Board configuration (sys_config) |
Note: Allwinner uses
.fexformat – a text-based configuration that compiles to binary.binviafex2bin. The sunxi-fel tool is your lifeline
Replace logo.bmp in boot_package/ and rebuild:
cd lichee/boot-resource/
cp my_logo.bmp logo.bmp
cd .. && ./build.sh
Based on actual engineering support tickets for the A133:
Issue: "Board boots from SD but not eMMC" Test connection: sunxi-fel ver
Issue: "Thermal throttling at idle"
Issue: "USB Gadget (ADB) not recognized"