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The Wio Terminal’s eRPC firmware runs on its Realtek RTL8720 wireless core—not on the SAMD51 that runs your Arduino application. Seeed says the newer eRPC structure supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at the same time. To install it, use Seeed’s flashing tool and follow its operating-system-specific instructions; a one-time erase is required for the initial factory firmware, but not for subsequent updates.

What eRPC firmware changes on the Wio Terminal

The Wio Terminal has two microcontrollers with different jobs: the SAMD51 runs your application, while the RTL8720 handles wireless connectivity. Seeed’s Network Overview describes eRPC as the newer wireless firmware structure and says it enables Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at the same time. The page’s instruction is direct: “Please update the Wi-Fi Core before usage!”

The flashing tool communicates with the RTL8720 through the SAMD51; Seeed says direct communication with the RTL8720 is unavailable. Updating this wireless firmware is separate from uploading a sketch to the SAMD51, so do not treat an ordinary application upload as an RTL8720 firmware update.

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Before you flash

  • Use Seeed’s official network overview and follow the instructions for your operating system.
  • Get ambd_flash_tool from the repository linked by Seeed’s guide, and check that guide for current steps and prerequisites. For macOS and Linux, Seeed requires Python 3; the script downloads its dependencies. Windows instructions use the supplied executable.
  • Choose the firmware release appropriate for your region. Seeed’s documentation notes a Japan-specific build; do not assume a regional archive is universal.
  • Read the erase and flash instructions before starting. Use the vendor procedure rather than interrupting or improvising the update.

Flash the RTL8720 firmware

Seeed’s guide says the serial port is detected automatically. The exact commands depend on your operating system:

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Windows ambd_flash_tool.exe erase, then ambd_flash_tool.exe flash ambd_flash_tool.exe flash
macOS or Linux python3 ambd_flash_tool.py erase, then python3 ambd_flash_tool.py flash python3 ambd_flash_tool.py flash

The erase step is for clearing the initial factory RTL8720 firmware on first use. Seeed says later firmware can overwrite the installed firmware, so routine updates do not require repeating that initial erase. Follow the current guide for any prompts or additional steps the tool presents.

Verify the installed version

After flashing, use the version-check sketch in Seeed’s network overview. It calls rpc_system_version() to report the RTL8720 firmware version; open the Arduino Serial Monitor to read the output. This confirms the version the wireless core reports, rather than the SAMD51 application version.

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  • 【Powerful Processor and Reliable Wireless Connectivity】 Wio Terminal is an ATSAMD51-based microcontroller with wireless connectivity supported by Realtek RTL8720DN. It runs at 120MHz (Boost up to 200MHz) and supports both Bluetooth (BLE4/5.0) and Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G), providing a more powerful IOT capability than ESP32.
  • 【Compatible with Raspberry Pi and 300+ Grove Modules】 Wio Terminal is equipped with various peripherals, including two multifunctional Grove ports for Grove Ecosystem and 40 Raspberry Pi compatible GPIO pins for more add-ons. By connecting Wio Terminal to Raspberry Pi, you can start programming and collect environmental data directly, with no need for soldering or breadboards. Over 300 Grove modules are available on Seeed and waiting for you to explore!
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Match Arduino libraries to eRPC

Seeed’s Wi-Fi guide describes its Arduino setup and eRPC examples. Install or update the Seeed SAMD ArduinoCore and the wireless libraries as directed by the current Seeed pages. The overview lists SAMD core version 1.8.1, but that recommendation may no longer match current Board Manager availability; check the current listing rather than relying on an old version number.

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For eRPC Wi-Fi code, use rpcWiFi.h instead of the older AtWifi.h include. Seeed’s examples cover station/client use as well as access-point and web-server modes. The application runs on the SAMD51 and uses the wireless core through the matching eRPC libraries.

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Choose the right firmware release

At the time of the release-page check on October 4, 2026, Seeed’s mutable release page showed version 2.1.3 as latest. Check Seeed’s release page again before downloading because a newer version may now be available. If you download an archive manually, check its intended region and confirm that your application’s libraries match the eRPC firmware structure.

Seeed’s engineering blog, dated November 12, 2020, describes historical firmware variants as Wi-Fi-only AT firmware, BLE-only eRPC firmware, and newer Wi-Fi-plus-BLE eRPC firmware. Treat those labels as history, not as a definitive description of every old release. The post also says users in Japan should choose the Japan build.

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If the update or Wi-Fi example does not work

  • The reported firmware version is unexpected: check the selected release and regional build, then follow Seeed’s flashing procedure and run the version sketch again.
  • An eRPC example does not compile: check that the Seeed SAMD core and wireless libraries are installed as directed, and that eRPC code includes rpcWiFi.h rather than the older AtWifi.h.
  • The tool cannot proceed: confirm you are using the command and prerequisites for your operating system, including Python 3 on macOS or Linux, and consult the current vendor guide before trying again.

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