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Setting up the ANX dev module takes only a few minutes. You’ll install the USB-to-serial driver your OS needs to recognise the board, verify the serial port appears correctly, install the ANX CLI, and then run a quick connection test to confirm everything is working. The steps below cover Windows, macOS, and Linux so you can follow the path that matches your machine.
Do not use a damaged, frayed, or charge-only USB cable to connect the module. A cable that can’t reliably carry data causes intermittent disconnects, failed firmware flashes, and misleading error messages that are difficult to diagnose.
1

Install USB Drivers

The ANX dev module uses a CP210x USB-to-UART bridge. Driver support varies by operating system.
Windows does not ship with the CP210x driver. Install it with winget:
Restart your machine after the installer completes to ensure the driver is fully registered.
2

Connect the Module

Plug one end of the USB-C cable into the ANX dev module and the other end into a USB port on your computer. Observe the LEDs on the board:
  • Power LED (green, solid) — the module is receiving power and the bootloader is running normally
  • Status LED (blue, slow blink) — the module is idle and waiting for a firmware command
If the power LED does not illuminate, try a different USB port or cable before proceeding.
3

Verify the Serial Port

Confirm your OS has enumerated the serial port correctly.
You should see at least one entry:
If you see a Permission denied error when accessing the port later, add your user to the dialout group:
Log out and back in for the group change to take effect.
4

Install ANX CLI

The ANX CLI is the primary tool for flashing firmware, reading serial output, and managing connected devices. Install it using the ANX installer script for your platform, then verify the installation:
A successful install prints the CLI version string, for example:
If the command is not found, ensure the ANX CLI binary directory is on your system PATH and open a new terminal session.
5

Test the Connection

With the module still connected, run the device discovery command:
The CLI scans all available serial ports and prints a table of detected ANX devices:
The output confirms the module’s serial number and currently flashed firmware version. Your dev module is now fully set up and ready for firmware development.

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Troubleshooting

If you run into issues during setup, expand the relevant section below for targeted fixes.
Work through these checks in order:
  1. Try a different USB-C cable — charge-only cables have no data lines and will power the board but never enumerate a serial port.
  2. Try a different USB port on your computer, preferably one connected directly to the motherboard rather than a hub.
  3. On Windows, open Device Manager and look for an Unknown device or Other devices entry. If present, the driver did not install correctly — reinstall using winget install SiliconLabs.CP210xDriver and restart.
  4. Hold the BOOT button on the module while plugging in the USB cable to force the bootloader into DFU mode, then run anx device list again.
Windows assigns COM port numbers dynamically. If the number changes between sessions, pin it to a fixed value:
  1. Open Device Manager and right-click the CP210x USB to UART Bridge entry.
  2. Select Properties → Port Settings → Advanced.
  3. Change the COM Port Number to your preferred value and click OK.
Update any IDE or CLI configuration files to match the new fixed port number.
If the winget install fails or the driver shows an error code in Device Manager:
  1. Download the installer directly from the Silicon Labs CP210x downloads page and run it as Administrator.
  2. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement temporarily if you are on an older Windows 10 build: restart, press F8 during boot, and select Disable Driver Signature Enforcement from the advanced startup options.
  3. After successful installation, re-enable driver signature enforcement and restart normally.