diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/Makefile b/utils/rum-ba/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a7da2ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+# binary file name
+TARGET=sdr-samba
+
+# CROSS_COMPILE=
+QUIET=@
+
+# N = build release version
+# y = optimize but include debugger info
+# Y = build debug version
+DEBUG=N
+
+C_SOURCES=\
+	src/main.c \
+	src/osmosdr.c \
+	src/sam3u.c \
+	src/serial.c \
+	src/utils.c
+
+# general compiler flags
+CFLAGS=-Wall
+LDFLAGS=-Wl,-Map=$(FULLTARGET).map
+LIBS=-lrt
+
+##############################################################################
+
+SUBDIRS=$(sort $(dir $(C_SOURCES)))
+
+DEPDIR=deps
+OBJDIR=objs
+BINDIR=bin
+DEPDIRS=$(addprefix $(DEPDIR)/,$(SUBDIRS))
+OBJDIRS=$(addprefix $(OBJDIR)/,$(SUBDIRS))
+
+CC=$(CROSS_COMPILE)gcc
+LD=$(CROSS_COMPILE)gcc
+
+COBJS=$(C_SOURCES:%.c=%.o)
+DEPS=$(C_SOURCES:%.c=%.dep)
+FULLDEPS=$(addprefix $(DEPDIR)/,$(DEPS))
+FULLCOBJS=$(addprefix $(OBJDIR)/,$(COBJS))
+FULLTARGET=$(addprefix $(BINDIR)/,$(TARGET))
+
+ifeq ($(DEBUG),Y)
+	# debug version
+	CFLAGS+=-O0 -g3
+	LDFLAGS+=-g3
+else ifeq ($(DEBUG),y)
+	# optimized version with debugger info
+	CFLAGS+=-O2 -g3 -Werror -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections
+	LDFLAGS+=-g3 -Wl,--gc-sections
+else
+	# release version
+	CFLAGS+=-O2 -s -Werror -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections
+	LDFLAGS+=-s -Wl,--gc-sections
+endif
+
+.PHONY: all build clean distclean
+
+all: build
+
+build: $(FULLTARGET)
+
+-include $(FULLDEPS)
+
+$(FULLTARGET): $(DEPDIRS) $(OBJDIRS) $(BINDIR) $(FULLCOBJS)
+	@echo LD \ $(TARGET)
+	$(QUIET)$(LD) $(LDFLAGS) -o $(FULLTARGET) -Wl,--start-group $(FULLCOBJS) $(LIBS) -Wl,--end-group
+	$(QUIET)ln -sf $(FULLTARGET) $(TARGET)
+
+$(FULLCOBJS):
+	@echo C\ \ \ $(patsubst $(OBJDIR)/%,%,$(patsubst %.o,%.c, $@))
+	$(QUIET)$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CFLAGS_$(subst /,_,$(patsubst %.o,%,$@))) -MD -MP -MF $(patsubst %.o,$(DEPDIR)/%.dep,$(patsubst $(OBJDIR)/%,%,$@)) -c $(patsubst $(OBJDIR)/%,%,$(patsubst %.o,%.c, $@)) -o $@
+
+$(DEPDIRS):
+	$(QUIET)mkdir -p $@
+	
+$(OBJDIRS):
+	$(QUIET)mkdir -p $@
+	
+$(BINDIR):
+	$(QUIET)mkdir -p $@
+
+clean:
+	$(QUIET)echo CLEAN
+	$(QUIET)rm -Rf $(DEPDIR) $(OBJDIR) $(BINDIR) $(TARGET) $(TARGET).map *~ *.s *.ss
+
+distclean: clean
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/main.c b/utils/rum-ba/src/main.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e68443
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include "serial.h"
+#include "osmosdr.h"
+#include "utils.h"
+
+static int printSyntax()
+{
+	fprintf(stderr, "Error: Invalid command line!\n\n"
+		"syntax: sdr-samba /dev/ttyACM0 command\n"
+		"valid commands are:\n"
+		"  - detect: detect OsmoSDR and print unique ID\n"
+		"  - blink: blink LEDs on board\n"
+		"  - ramload image.bin: load image.bin into SRAM and start it\n"
+		"  - flash image.bin: write image.bin to FLASH\n");
+
+	return EXIT_FAILURE;
+}
+
+int main(int argc, char* argv[])
+{
+	int fd;
+	int res = -1;
+	void* bin;
+	size_t binSize;
+
+	if(argc < 3)
+		return printSyntax();
+
+	if(strcmp(argv[2], "detect") == 0) {
+		if(argc != 3)
+			return printSyntax();
+		if((fd = serialOpen(argv[1])) < 0)
+			return EXIT_FAILURE;
+		res = 0;
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRDetect(fd);
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRPrintUID(fd, 0);
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRPrintUID(fd, 1);
+		serialClose(fd);
+	} else if(strcmp(argv[2], "blink") == 0) {
+		if(argc != 3)
+			return printSyntax();
+		if((fd = serialOpen(argv[1])) < 0)
+			return EXIT_FAILURE;
+		res = 0;
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRDetect(fd);
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRBlink(fd);
+		serialClose(fd);
+	} else if(strcmp(argv[2], "ramload") == 0) {
+		if(argc != 4)
+			return printSyntax();
+		if((bin = loadFile(argv[3], &binSize)) == NULL)
+			return EXIT_FAILURE;
+		if((fd = serialOpen(argv[1])) < 0)
+			return EXIT_FAILURE;
+		res = 0;
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRDetect(fd);
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRRamLoad(fd, bin, binSize);
+		serialClose(fd);
+	} else if(strcmp(argv[2], "flash") == 0) {
+		if(argc != 4)
+			return printSyntax();
+		if((bin = loadFile(argv[3], &binSize)) == NULL)
+			return EXIT_FAILURE;
+		if((fd = serialOpen(argv[1])) < 0)
+			return EXIT_FAILURE;
+		res = 0;
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRDetect(fd);
+		if(res >= 0)
+			res = osmoSDRFlash(fd, bin, binSize);
+		serialClose(fd);
+	} else {
+		return printSyntax();
+	}
+
+	return (res < 0) ? EXIT_FAILURE : EXIT_SUCCESS;
+}
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/osmosdr.c b/utils/rum-ba/src/osmosdr.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b792138
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/osmosdr.c
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include "osmosdr.h"
+#include "sam3u.h"
+
+int osmoSDRDetect(int fd)
+{
+	uint32_t chipID;
+
+	if(sam3uDetect(fd, &chipID) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	if((chipID & 0xffffffe0) == 0x28000960) {
+		printf("Chip ID: 0x%08x -- ok\n", chipID);
+	} else {
+		printf("Chip ID: 0x%08x -- ERROR\n", chipID);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int osmoSDRPrintUID(int fd, int bank)
+{
+	uint8_t uniqueID[16];
+	int i;
+
+	if(sam3uReadUniqueID(fd, bank, uniqueID) < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "could not read unique ID\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	printf("UID%d   : ", bank);
+	for(i = 0; i < 16; i++)
+		printf("%02x", uniqueID[i]);
+	printf("\n");
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int osmoSDRBlink(int fd)
+{
+	int i;
+
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, 0x400e0e00 + 0x44, 1 << 19) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, 0x400e0e00 + 0x60, 1 << 19) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, 0x400e0e00 + 0x54, 1 << 19) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, 0x400e0e00 + 0x10, 1 << 19) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, 0x400e0e00 + 0x00, 1 << 19) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	for(i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
+		printf("on."); fflush(stdout);
+		if(sam3uWrite32(fd, 0x400e0e00 + 0x34, 1 << 19) < 0)
+			return -1;
+		usleep(250 * 1000);
+		printf("off."); fflush(stdout);
+		if(sam3uWrite32(fd, 0x400e0e00 + 0x30, 1 << 19) < 0)
+			return -1;
+		usleep(250 * 1000);
+	}
+
+	printf(" -- ok\n");
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int osmoSDRRamLoad(int fd, void* bin, size_t binSize)
+{
+	size_t ofs;
+	uint32_t tmp;
+
+	printf("Uploading %zu bytes @ 0x20001000", binSize);
+
+	for(ofs = 0; ofs < binSize; ofs += 4) {
+		if(sam3uWrite32(fd, 0x20001000 + ofs, ((uint32_t*)bin)[ofs / 4]) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	}
+
+	for(ofs = 0; ofs < binSize; ofs += 4) {
+		if(sam3uRead32(fd, 0x20001000 + ofs, &tmp) < 0)
+			return -1;
+		if(tmp != ((uint32_t*)bin)[ofs / 4]) {
+			printf(" -- RAM verify failed\n");
+			return -1;
+		}
+	}
+	printf(" -- ok\n");
+
+	printf("Starting @ 0x%08x\n", ((uint32_t*)bin)[1]);
+
+	if(sam3uRun(fd, ((uint32_t*)bin)[1]) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int osmoSDRFlash(int fd, void* bin, size_t binSize)
+{
+	return sam3uFlash(fd, 0, bin, binSize);
+}
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/osmosdr.h b/utils/rum-ba/src/osmosdr.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ed3a51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/osmosdr.h
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#ifndef INCLUDE_OSMOSDR_H
+#define INCLUDE_OSMOSDR_H
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+int osmoSDRDetect(int fd);
+int osmoSDRPrintUID(int fd, int bank);
+int osmoSDRBlink(int fd);
+int osmoSDRRamLoad(int fd, void* bin, size_t binSize);
+int osmoSDRFlash(int fd, void* bin, size_t binSize);
+
+#endif // INCLUDE_OSMOSDR_H
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/sam3u.c b/utils/rum-ba/src/sam3u.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab6a2c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/sam3u.c
@@ -0,0 +1,308 @@
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include "sam3u.h"
+#include "serial.h"
+
+int sam3uRead32(int fd, uint32_t address, uint32_t* value)
+{
+	char str[32];
+	sprintf(str, "w%08X,4#", address);
+	if(serialPutS(fd, str) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r0x", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialGetS(fd, str, 8, 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	str[8] = '\0';
+	errno = 0;
+	*value = strtoll(str, NULL, 16);
+	if(errno != 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "number conversion failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+		return -1;
+	}
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r>", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int sam3uRead16(int fd, uint32_t address, uint16_t* value)
+{
+	char str[32];
+	sprintf(str, "h%08X,2#", address);
+	if(serialPutS(fd, str) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r0x", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialGetS(fd, str, 4, 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	str[4] = '\0';
+	errno = 0;
+	*value = strtol(str, NULL, 16);
+	if(errno != 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "number conversion failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+		return -1;
+	}
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r>", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int sam3uRead8(int fd, uint32_t address, uint8_t* value)
+{
+	char str[32];
+	sprintf(str, "o%08X,1#", address);
+	if(serialPutS(fd, str) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r0x", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialGetS(fd, str, 2, 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	str[2] = '\0';
+	errno = 0;
+	*value = strtol(str, NULL, 16);
+	if(errno != 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "number conversion failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+		return -1;
+	}
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r>", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int sam3uWrite32(int fd, uint32_t address, uint32_t value)
+{
+	char str[32];
+	sprintf(str, "W%08X,%08X#", address, value);
+	if(serialPutS(fd, str) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r>", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int sam3uWrite16(int fd, uint32_t address, uint16_t value)
+{
+	char str[32];
+	sprintf(str, "H%08X,%04X#", address, value);
+	if(serialPutS(fd, str) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r>", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int sam3uWrite8(int fd, uint32_t address, uint8_t value)
+{
+	char str[32];
+	sprintf(str, "O%08X,%02X#", address, value);
+	if(serialPutS(fd, str) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r>", 100) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int sam3uRun(int fd, uint32_t address)
+{
+	char str[32];
+	sprintf(str, "G%08X#", address);
+	if(serialPutS(fd, str) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int sam3uDetect(int fd, uint32_t* chipID)
+{
+	char c;
+
+	while(serialGetC(fd, &c, 100) >= 0) ;
+
+	if(serialPutS(fd, "T#") < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	if(serialExpect(fd, "\n\r\n\r>", 100) < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "did not receive expected answer\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	return sam3uRead32(fd, 0x400e0740, chipID);
+}
+
+int sam3uReadUniqueID(int fd, int bank, uint8_t* uniqueID)
+{
+	uint32_t regBase;
+	uint32_t flashBase;
+	uint32_t fsr;
+	int i;
+
+	switch(bank) {
+		case 0:
+			regBase = 0x400e0800;
+			flashBase = 0x80000;
+			break;
+		case 1:
+			regBase = 0x400e0a00;
+			flashBase = 0x100000;
+			break;
+		default:
+			fprintf(stderr, "illegal flash bank");
+			return -1;
+	}
+
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, regBase + 0x04, 0x5a00000e) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	do {
+		if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x08, &fsr) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	} while((fsr & 1) != 0);
+
+	for(i = 0; i < 16; i++) {
+		if(sam3uRead8(fd, flashBase + i, uniqueID + i) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	}
+
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, regBase + 0x04, 0x5a00000f) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	do {
+		if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x08, &fsr) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	} while((fsr & 1) == 0);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int sam3uFlash(int fd, int bank, void* bin, size_t binSize)
+{
+	uint32_t regBase;
+	uint32_t flashBase;
+	uint32_t fsr;
+	uint32_t flID;
+	uint32_t flSize;
+	uint32_t flPageSize;
+	uint32_t flNbPlane;
+	uint8_t buf[8192];
+	uint32_t ofs;
+	uint32_t todo;
+	uint32_t len;
+	uint32_t idx;
+
+	switch(bank) {
+		case 0:
+			regBase = 0x400e0800;
+			flashBase = 0x80000;
+			break;
+		case 1:
+			regBase = 0x400e0a00;
+			flashBase = 0x100000;
+			break;
+		default:
+			fprintf(stderr, "illegal flash bank");
+			return -1;
+	}
+
+	printf("reading flash descriptor");
+
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, regBase + 0x04, 0x5a000000) < 0)
+		goto error;
+
+	do {
+		if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x08, &fsr) < 0)
+			goto error;
+	} while((fsr & 1) == 0);
+
+
+	if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x0c, &flID) < 0)
+		goto error;
+	if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x0c, &flSize) < 0)
+		goto error;
+	if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x0c, &flPageSize) < 0)
+		goto error;
+	if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x0c, &flNbPlane) < 0)
+		goto error;
+
+	printf(" -- ok\n");
+	printf("Flash ID:         0x%08x\n", flID);
+	printf("Flash size:       %d Bytes\n", flSize);
+	printf("Page size:        %d Bytes\n", flPageSize);
+	printf("Number of planes: %d\n", flNbPlane);
+
+#if 1
+	printf("erasing flash"); fflush(stdout);
+
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, regBase + 0x04, 0x5a000005) < 0)
+		goto error;
+
+	do {
+		if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x08, &fsr) < 0)
+			goto error;
+	} while((fsr & 1) == 0);
+
+	printf(" -- ok\n");
+#endif
+
+	ofs = 0;
+	for(todo = binSize; todo > 0; todo -= len) {
+		printf("flashing @ 0x%08x", ofs); fflush(stdout);
+		len = todo;
+		if(len > flPageSize)
+			len = flPageSize;
+		memset(buf, 0xff, sizeof(buf));
+		memcpy(buf, ((uint8_t*)bin) + ofs, len);
+		for(idx = 0; idx < flPageSize / 4; idx++) {
+			if(sam3uWrite32(fd, flashBase + ofs + (idx * 4), ((uint32_t*)buf)[idx]) < 0)
+				goto error;
+		}
+
+		if(sam3uWrite32(fd, regBase + 0x04, 0x5a000000 | ((ofs / flPageSize) << 8) | 0x03) < 0)
+			goto error;
+
+		do {
+			if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x08, &fsr) < 0)
+				goto error;
+		} while((fsr & 1) == 0);
+
+		printf(" -- ok\n");
+
+		ofs += flPageSize;
+	}
+
+	ofs = 0;
+	for(todo = binSize; todo > 0; todo -= len) {
+		printf("verifying @ 0x%08x", ofs); fflush(stdout);
+		len = todo;
+		if(len > flPageSize)
+			len = flPageSize;
+
+		for(idx = 0; idx < flPageSize / 4; idx++) {
+			if(sam3uRead32(fd, flashBase + ofs + (idx * 4), ((uint32_t*)buf) + idx) < 0)
+				goto error;
+		}
+
+		if(memcmp(buf, ((uint8_t*)bin) + ofs, len) == 0)
+			printf(" -- ok\n");
+		else printf(" -- ERROR\n");
+
+		ofs += flPageSize;
+	}
+
+	printf("disabling SAM-BA"); fflush(stdout);
+	if(sam3uWrite32(fd, regBase + 0x04, 0x5a000000 | (1 << 8) | 0x0b) < 0)
+		goto error;
+
+	do {
+		if(sam3uRead32(fd, regBase + 0x08, &fsr) < 0)
+			goto error;
+	} while((fsr & 1) == 0);
+
+	printf(" -- ok\n");
+
+	return 0;
+
+error:
+	printf(" -- ERROR\n");
+	return -1;
+}
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/sam3u.h b/utils/rum-ba/src/sam3u.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..190cd40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/sam3u.h
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#ifndef INCLUDE_SAM3U_H
+#define INCLUDE_SAM3U_H
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+int sam3uRead32(int fd, uint32_t address, uint32_t* value);
+int sam3uRead16(int fd, uint32_t address, uint16_t* value);
+int sam3uRead8(int fd, uint32_t address, uint8_t* value);
+
+int sam3uWrite32(int fd, uint32_t address, uint32_t value);
+int sam3uWrite16(int fd, uint32_t address, uint16_t value);
+int sam3uWrite8(int fd, uint32_t address, uint8_t value);
+
+int sam3uRun(int fd, uint32_t address);
+int sam3uDetect(int fd, uint32_t* chipID);
+int sam3uReadUniqueID(int fd, int bank, uint8_t* uniqueID);
+int sam3uFlash(int fd, int bank, void* bin, size_t binSize);
+
+#endif // INCLUDE_SAM3U_H
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/serial.c b/utils/rum-ba/src/serial.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..545a35a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/serial.c
@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <fcntl.h>
+#include <termios.h>
+#include <poll.h>
+#include "serial.h"
+#include "utils.h"
+
+int serialOpen(const char* device)
+{
+	int fd = -1;
+	struct termios tios;
+
+	if((fd = open(device, O_RDWR | O_NOCTTY | O_NDELAY)) < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "could not open %s: %s\n", device, strerror(errno));
+		goto failed;
+	}
+	bzero(&tios, sizeof(tios));
+	tios.c_cflag = B115200 | CS8 | CLOCAL | CREAD;
+	tios.c_iflag = IGNPAR;
+	tios.c_oflag = 0;
+	tios.c_lflag = ICANON;
+	tios.c_cc[VMIN] = 1;
+	cfmakeraw(&tios);
+	if(tcflush(fd, TCIOFLUSH) < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "tcflush() failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+		goto failed;
+	}
+	if(tcsetattr(fd, TCSAFLUSH, &tios) < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "tcsetattr() failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+		goto failed;
+	}
+	if(tcflush(fd, TCIOFLUSH) < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "tcflush() failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+		goto failed;
+	}
+
+	return fd;
+
+failed:
+	if(fd >= 0)
+		close(fd);
+	return -1;
+}
+
+void serialClose(int fd)
+{
+	if(fd >= 0)
+		close(fd);
+}
+
+int serialPutC(int fd, char c)
+{
+	if(write(fd, &c, sizeof(char)) != sizeof(char)) {
+		if(errno == EAGAIN) {
+			struct pollfd pollfd;
+			int res;
+			pollfd.fd = fd;
+			pollfd.events = POLLOUT;
+			pollfd.revents = 0;
+			do {
+				res = poll(&pollfd, 1, 250);
+			} while((res < 0) && (errno == EINTR));
+			if(res > 0) {
+				if(write(fd, &c, sizeof(char)) != sizeof(char)) {
+					fprintf(stderr, "write failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+					return -1;
+				} else {
+					return 0;
+				}
+			} else if(res == 0) {
+				fprintf(stderr, "write failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+				return -1;
+			} else {
+				fprintf(stderr, "poll failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+				return -1;
+			}
+		} else {
+			fprintf(stderr, "write failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			return -1;
+		}
+	} else {
+		return 0;
+	}
+}
+
+int serialPutS(int fd, const char* str)
+{
+	while(*str != '\0') {
+		if(serialPutC(fd, *str++) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int serialGetC(int fd, char* c, int timeout)
+{
+	struct pollfd pollfd;
+	int res;
+
+	pollfd.fd = fd;
+	pollfd.events = POLLIN;
+	pollfd.revents = 0;
+
+	do {
+		res = poll(&pollfd, 1, timeout);
+	} while((res < 0) && (errno == EINTR));
+
+	if(res > 0) {
+		if(read(fd, c, sizeof(char)) != sizeof(char)) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "read failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			return -1;
+		} else {
+			return 0;
+		}
+	} else if(res == 0) {
+		// timeout
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	fprintf(stderr, "poll failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+	return -1;
+}
+
+int serialGetS(int fd, char* str, int len, int timeout)
+{
+	int todo = len;
+	uint64_t endTime = getTickCount() + timeout;
+
+	while(todo > 0) {
+		uint64_t now = getTickCount();
+
+		if(now < endTime) {
+			char c;
+			if(serialGetC(fd, &c, endTime - now) < 0)
+				return -1;
+			//printf("[%02x]", c);
+			*str++ = c;
+			todo--;
+		} else {
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return (todo > 0) ? -1 : 0;
+}
+
+int serialExpect(int fd, const char* str, int timeout)
+{
+	int todo = strlen(str);
+	uint64_t endTime = getTickCount() + timeout;
+
+	while(todo > 0) {
+		uint64_t now = getTickCount();
+
+		if(now < endTime) {
+			char c;
+			if(serialGetC(fd, &c, endTime - now) < 0)
+				return -1;
+			//printf("[%02x]", c);
+			if(c == *str++) {
+				todo--;
+				continue;
+			} else {
+				return -1;
+			}
+		} else {
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return (todo > 0) ? -1 : 0;
+}
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/serial.h b/utils/rum-ba/src/serial.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f70c4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/serial.h
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#ifndef INCLUDE_SERIAL_H
+#define INCLUDE_SERIAL_H
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+int serialOpen(const char* device);
+void serialClose(int fd);
+int  serialPutC(int fd, char c);
+int serialPutS(int fd, const char* str);
+int serialGetC(int fd, char* c, int timeout);
+int serialGetS(int fd, char* str, int len, int timeout);
+int serialExpect(int fd, const char* str, int timeout);
+
+#endif // INCLUDE_SERIAL_H
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/utils.c b/utils/rum-ba/src/utils.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4d1e54c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/utils.c
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <time.h>
+#include <sys/stat.h>
+#include "utils.h"
+
+uint64_t getTickCount()
+{
+    struct timespec t;
+
+    if(clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &t) != 0)
+    	return 0;
+    return (((uint64_t)t.tv_sec) * 1000) + (((uint64_t)t.tv_nsec) / 1000000);
+}
+
+void* loadFile(const char* filename, size_t* size)
+{
+	void* result = NULL;
+	struct stat statbuf;
+	FILE* f = NULL;
+
+	if(stat(filename, &statbuf) < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "could not stat() file %s: %s\n", filename, strerror(errno));
+		goto failed;
+	}
+
+	if((result = calloc(1, statbuf.st_size)) == NULL) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "failed to allocate %zu bytes of memory\n", (size_t)statbuf.st_size);
+		goto failed;
+	}
+	if((f = fopen(filename, "rb")) == NULL) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "failed to open %s: %s\n", filename, strerror(errno));
+		goto failed;
+	}
+	if(fread(result, 1, statbuf.st_size, f) != statbuf.st_size) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "could not read all bytes: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+		goto failed;
+	}
+
+	fclose(f);
+	*size = (size_t)statbuf.st_size;
+	return result;
+
+failed:
+	if(f != NULL)
+		fclose(f);
+	return NULL;
+}
diff --git a/utils/rum-ba/src/utils.h b/utils/rum-ba/src/utils.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a990dd6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/rum-ba/src/utils.h
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#ifndef INCLUDE_UTILS_H
+#define INCLUDE_UTILS_H
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+uint64_t getTickCount();
+void* loadFile(const char* filename, size_t* size);
+
+#endif // INCLUDE_UTILS_H