The Bookeen Notéa is a e-ink tablet based on the B300 chip. It is sold by Bookeen, a french e-book company. The tablet is manufactured by Bigme. It shares the case, screen and other components with the PineNote.

Identification

Bookeen Notea
Manufacturer	Bookeen
Dimensions	190mm x 230mm x 8mm
Release Date	June 2023 (last version)
Website	Product Page
Specifications
SoC	B300 @ 1.8Ghz
DRAM	2GiB LPDDR4 @ 720MHz
NAND	32GB
Power	DC 5V @ 2A, 4000mAh 3.7V Li-Ion battery
Features
LCD	157.25x209.66 (10.3" 4:3)
Touchscreen	Capacitive + Wacom EMR
Audio	internal stereo speakers, internal microphone
Network	WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
USB	USB2.0 OTG Type C
Other	Accelerometer, Bluetooth BLE & BT 4.2
Headers	UART

On the back of the device, the following is printed:

CYBN10F

The PCB has the following silkscreened on it:

XRZ_E126-MAIN-V1.1
2020-12-07

In android, under Settings->About Tablet, you will find:

Android version
8.1.0

Processor type
QuadCore-B300

Firmware version
B300-o-mr1-v1.0rc2

Kernel version
4.9.5 (gcc version 5.3.1 20160412 (Linaro GCC 5.3-2016.05) )
chichengzao@ubuntu #10
Thu Jun 15 10:53:49 CST 2023

Build number
OPM1.171019.026.20230928-094810 test-keys

sunxi-fel version output:

Warning: no 'soc_sram_info' data for your SoC (id=1755)
AWUSBFEX soc=00001755(unknown) 00000001 ver=0001 44 08 scratchpad=00007e00 00000000 00000000

Sunxi support

Current status

No support of the B300 SoC.

U-Boot

The U-Boot is not distributed. Bookeen does not have the sources and Bigme does not provide them.

Linux Kernel

The Linux Kernel is not distributed. Bookeen does not have the sources and Bigme does not provide them.

Adding a serial port (voids warranty)

Notea UART pads

You can attach a serial port to the Allwinner B300 by soldering the UART pads on the PCB, see UART howto.

Device disassembly

Gently unclip the black plastic case around the screen with plastic tools. Unclip the USB port last. Be careful with the button, it is not firmly attached.

Remove the aluminium covers on the PCB.

Locating the UART

Notea soldered UART

The UART pads are labelled G, R, T, V for GND, RX, TX and VCC. Use 3.3V and do not connect VCC.

Serial output

[115]HELLO! BOOT0 is starting!
[118]boot0 commit : 000a620ce443178c1a35bdeb5deeb23d3180f34f

[135]rsb_send_initseq: rsb clk 400Khz -> 3Mhz
[140]PMU: AXP858
[141][pmu]: name dcdc4, min_vol 500mv, max_vol 1540, cfg_reg 0x00000016, cfg_mask 0x0000007f            step0_val 10, split1_val 1220, step1_val 20, ctrl_reg_addr 0x00000015, ctrl_bit_ofs 4
[159][pmu]: name dcdc2, min_vol 500mv, max_vol 1540, cfg_reg 0x00000014, cfg_mask 0x0000007f            step0_val 10, split1_val 1220, step1_val 20, ctrl_reg_addr 0x00000010, ctrl_bit_ofs 1
[177]set pll start
[187]rtc[0] value = 0x00000000
[190]rtc[1] value = 0x00000000
[193]rtc[2] value = 0x00000000
[196]rtc[3] value = 0x0000a102
[199]rtc[4] value = 0x00000000
[202]rtc[5] value = 0x00000000
[205]key pressed value=0x00000016
[209]key pressed value=0x00000016
[252]time out
[253]DRAM BOOT DRIVE INFO: V1.14
[256]chip id check OK
[259][pmu]: name dcdc5, min_vol 800mv, max_vol 1840, cfg_reg 0x00000017, cfg_mask 0x0000007f            step0_val 10, split1_val 1120, step1_val 20, ctrl_reg_addr 0x00000010, ctrl_bit_ofs 4
[276]DRAM_VCC set to 1100 mv
[279]DRAM CLK =720 MHZ
[281]DRAM Type =8 (3:DDR3,4:DDR4,7:LPDDR3,8:LPDDR4)
[320]Training result is = 00000007
[325]Actual DRAM SIZE =2048 M
[328]DRAM SIZE =2048 M,para1 = 0000310a,para2 = 08000000
[341]DRAM simple test OK.
[344]dram size =2048
[348]card no is 2
[350]sdcard 2 line count 8
[352][mmc]: mmc driver ver 2018-04-08 14:50
[356][mmc]: mmc 2 bias 00000004
[365][mmc]: ***Try MMC card 2***
[381][mmc]: MMC 5.1
[383][mmc]: HSDDR52/DDR50 8 bit
[386][mmc]: 50000000 Hz
[388][mmc]: 29856 MB
[390][mmc]: ***SD/MMC 2 init OK!!!***
[490]Loading boot-pkg Succeed(index=0).
[494]Entry_name        = scp
[504]Entry_name        = optee
[510]Entry_name        = u-boot
[526]Entry_name        = soc-cfg
[530]Entry_name        = dtb
[534]Entry_name        = logo
[537]Entry_name        = shutdowncharge
[541]Entry_name        = androidcharge
[545]Ready to disable icache.
[548]0xffffffff 0xffffffff
[551]0xff1affff 0xffffffff
[553]0xff0f17ff 0xffffffff
[556]0x1616ffff 0xffff2414
[559]0x141dffff 0xffffffff
[561]0x1717ffff 0xffffffff
[564]Jump to secend Boot.
MESSAGE: [0x0] TEE-CORE: arisc version: []


U-Boot 2014.07 (May 25 2023 - 20:27:00) Allwinner Technology

uboot commit : 0c4b5570dc773d5d2b76265612b726d7d2b3f8a3

secure enable bit: 0
normal mode: with secure monitor
[0.595]pmbus:   ready
[0.595]PMU: AXP858
[0.595]PMU: AXP858 found
[0.595]pmu_type = 49
[0.596]BMU: AW1867
[0.598]pmu_on_ctl:9
[0.601]Charge current:1050 ma
[0.602]Input current:1050 ma
set pc_bias(1) bias:1800
[0.608]PMU: cpux 1008 Mhz,AXI=504 Mhz
[0.611]PLL6=600 Mhz,AHB1=200 Mhz, APB1=100Mhz MBus=400Mhz
DRAM:  2 GiB
Relocation Offset is: 75ddf000
[0.655]initr_malloc
gic: sec monitor mode
[0.739]initr_multi_core
PowerBus = 2( 2:vBus 3:acBus other: not exist), bat_vol=4012, safe_vol=3600
boot up: bat_vol=4012, safe_vol=3600, charger=2
[0.739]power on cpu1
[cpu1]PowerBus = 2( 2:vBus 3:acBus other: not exist)
[cpu1]Battery Voltage=4012, safe_vol=3600, Ratio=83
[0.743]poweron cause 0
[cpu1]STATE_NORMAL_BOOT
[cpu1]drv_disp_init
[0.749]power on cpu2
workmode = 0,storage type = 2
[cpu1]init_clocks: finish init_clocks.
[0.753]MMC:      2
SUNXI SD/MMC: 2
[cpu1]EINK: lcd_x=276, lcd_y=1421, dclk=35
[cpu1]pwm_request:pwm number = 1
[cpu1]request pwm success, spwm0:pwm16:0x7020c00.
[0.771]bits=5,data_len=16,width=1872,height=1404
[0.775]lsl=11,lbl=8,ldl=234,lel=23
[0.778]fsl=1,fbl=4,fdl=1404,fel=12
[0.781]gdck_sta=10,lgonl=215
Normal
[0.786]Item0 (Map) magic is bad
[0.787]the secure storage item0 copy0 is bad
[0.792]Item0 (Map) magic is bad
[0.794]the secure storage map is empty
[0.798]no item name key_burned_flag in the map
[0.802]sunxi storage read fail
[0.805]sunxi secure storage has no flag
[0.808]usb burn from boot
delay time 0
[cpu1]reading vcom.bin
[0.815]usb prepare ok
[cpu1]5 bytes read in 4 ms ([cpu1]1000 Bytes/s)
[cpu1]drv_disp_init finish
[0.824][cpu1]fetch script data boot_disp.output_full fail
[0.828][cpu1]
BMP file is to large,scn_w=276,scn_h=1421,bmp_w=380,bmp_h=328
[1.117]overtime
[1.117]do_burn_from_boot usb : no usb exist
[1.122]no item name device_unlock in the map
[1.122]sunxi storage read fail
[1.122]no item name fastboot_status_flag in the map
[1.122]sunxi storage read fail
sunxi secure storage has no flag
--------fastboot partitions--------
-total partitions:16-
-name-        -start-       -size-
UDISK       : c1000000      87bfbc00
bootloader  : 1000000       2000000
env         : 3000000       1000000
boot        : 4000000       2000000
system      : 6000000       60000000
vendor      : 66000000      f000000
misc        : 75000000      1000000
recovery    : 76000000      2000000
cache       : 78000000      40000000
metadata    : b8000000      1000000
private     : b9000000      1000000
frp         : ba000000      80000
empty       : ba080000      f80000
dto         : bb000000      1000000
media_data  : bc000000      1000000
device      : bd000000      4000000
-----------------------------------
time out
key not det ota mode
[4.238]Item0 (Map) magic is bad
[4.238]the secure storage item0 copy0 is bad
[4.239]Item0 (Map) magic is bad
[4.239]the secure storage map is empty
[4.239]no item name snum in the map
[4.239]sunxi storage read fail
reading sn.bin
** Unable to read file sn.bin **
load file(sn.bin) error
reading wavefile\bootlogo.bmp
2629366 bytes read in 20 ms (125.4 MiB/s)
bmp_buffer_change2Gray: sync cache
waveform_path === default.bin
reading default.bin
8084496 bytes read in 51 ms (151.2 MiB/s)
read waveform file from  default.bin   succeed
[4.342]wavefile info: 320_R388_AF7311_ED103TC2C5_VB3300-KCD_TC.awf 2021.10.28.9:23:44:
[4.342]eink_enable: init waveform ok
[4.949]usb_net_init
[4.949]run_main_loop
Hit any key to stop autoboot:  0
[5.063]Kernel load addr 0x40008000 size 15964 KiB
[5.063]Kernel command line: selinux=1 androidboot.selinux=enforce buildvariant=user
[5.063]RAM disk load addr 0x42000000 size 1158 KiB
android.hardware = sun8iw15p1
[5.105]
Starting kernel ...

[    0.000000] Booting Linux on physical CPU 0x0
[    0.000000] Linux version 4.9.56 (chichengzao@ubuntu) (gcc version 5.3.1 20160412 (Linaro GCC 5.3-2016.05) ) #10 SMP PREEMPT Thu Jun 15 10:53:49 CST 2023
[    0.000000] CPU: ARMv7 Processor [410fc075] revision 5 (ARMv7), cr=10c5387d
[    0.000000] CPU: div instructions available: patching division code
[    0.000000] CPU: PIPT / VIPT nonaliasing data cache, VIPT aliasing instruction cache
[    0.000000] OF: fdt:Machine model: sun8iw15
[    0.000000] bootconsole [earlycon0] enabled

Pictures

FEL mode

There are two known methods to trigger the FEL mode.

By sending '2' to UART

With UART active on /dev/ttyS1:

Make sure baudrate is correct: stty -F /dev/ttyS1 115200
Spam 2 character on UART: while [ true ]; do echo -n 2 > /dev/ttyS1; sleep 0.005; done
Reboot the tablet

The tablet should reboot in FEL mode:

[100]HELLO! BOOT0 is starting!
[103]boot0 commit : 000a620ce443178c1a35bdeb5deeb23d3180f34f

[109]key press : 2
[111]rsb_send_initseq: rsb clk 400Khz -> 3Mhz
[116]PMU: AXP858
[117][pmu]: name dcdc4, min_vol 500mv, max_vol 1540, cfg_reg 0x00000016, cfg_mask 0x0000007f            step0_val 10, split1_val 1220, step1_val 20, ctrl_reg_addr 0x00000015, ctrl_bit_ofs 4
[135][pmu]: name dcdc2, min_vol 500mv, max_vol 1540, cfg_reg 0x00000014, cfg_mask 0x0000007f            step0_val 10, split1_val 1220, step1_val 20, ctrl_reg_addr 0x00000010, ctrl_bit_ofs 1
[153]set pll start
[163]rtc[0] value = 0x00000000
[166]rtc[1] value = 0x00000000
[169]rtc[2] value = 0x00000000
[172]rtc[3] value = 0x0000a102
[175]rtc[4] value = 0x00000000
[178]rtc[5] value = 0x00000000
[181]detected user input 2
[184]reset pll

Using `fastboot oem efex`

Connect the tablet to your computer
Install an app on the tablet to open the AOSP Parameters
Go to system settings > about
Tap multiple times the build version until you're in developper mode
Open developper settings
Change USB mode to PTP
Enable the USB debugging
Use adb on your computer (you'll need to trust your computer on the tablet)
adb devices will show you if you're properly connected
Use adb reboot bootloader, the tablet will freeze and reboot to the bootloader so you will only see the *Notéa* logo, fastboot devices will say:
```
Android Fastboot         Android Fastboot
```
Use fastboot oem efex
Force rebooting the tablet, by holding the power button

[240.847]SUNXI_USB_FASTBOOT_SETUP
[240.847]fastboot command = oem efex
[240.847]oem operations
set next system status
drv_disp_exit
sunxi_board_close_source
�[110]HELLO! BOOT0 is starting!
[113]boot0 commit : 000a620ce443178c1a35bdeb5deeb23d3180f34f

[131]rsb_send_initseq: rsb clk 400Khz -> 3Mhz
[135]PMU: AXP858
[137][pmu]: name dcdc4, min_vol 500mv, max_vol 1540, cfg_reg 0x00000016, cfg_mask 0x0000007f         step0_val 10, split1_val 1220, step1_val 20, ctrl_reg_addr 0x00000015, ctrl_bit_ofs 4
[155][pmu]: name dcdc2, min_vol 500mv, max_vol 1540, cfg_reg 0x00000014, cfg_mask 0x0000007f         step0_val 10, split1_val 1220, step1_val 20, ctrl_reg_addr 0x00000010, ctrl_bit_ofs 1
[173]set pll start
[183]rtc[0] value = 0x00000000
[186]rtc[1] value = 0x00000000
[189]rtc[2] value = 0x5aa5a55a
[192]rtc[3] value = 0x0000b00f
[195]rtc[4] value = 0x00000000
[198]rtc[5] value = 0x00000000
[201]eraly jump fel
[203]reset pll

adb shell is 'not root, the user is curiously named virgo_perf1.

Bookeen Notea

Contents

Identification

Sunxi support

Current status

U-Boot

Linux Kernel

Adding a serial port (voids warranty)

Device disassembly

Locating the UART

Serial output

Pictures

FEL mode

By sending '2' to UART

Using `fastboot oem efex`

See also

Navigation menu

Search

Bookeen Notea

Identification

Sunxi support

Current status

U-Boot

Linux Kernel

Adding a serial port (voids warranty)

Device disassembly

Locating the UART

Serial output

Pictures

FEL mode

By sending '2' to UART

Using fastboot oem efex

See also

Navigation menu

Search

Using `fastboot oem efex`