Q Drive 1+1/1+1 Map/SERVOnet Firmware Upgrading

Introduction

The Q Drive 1+1, Q Drive 1+1 Map and Q Drive SERVOnet all have a new type of memory chip for the firmware written by Quin Systems: a FLASH ROM. This is similar to an EEPROM in that it remembers its contents without requiring electrical power, but is different in that it can be re-programmed via software, instead of using an EEPROM programmer. The FLASH ROM is a surface mount component on the circuit board and cannot be removed. It is no longer necessary to disassemble the controller to change/upgrade the firmware supplied by Quin Systems. Instead the upgrade is performed through serial port A using a standard serial cable and a special program (written for Microsoft Windows) run on the PC. [The IRT control card in the Q Drive also uses FLASH memory and can be upgraded via a similar procedure]

Required components/tools

Instructions

  1. Install Q Drive Firmware programming software on PC hard disk, or run from floppy disk.

  1. Connect the serial cable between the PC and serial port A on the Q Drive. Ensure the Q Drive is switched off
  2. Press the GO! Button on the Q Drive Firmware program. When asked for the S record file, choose the ROMxxx.S19 file you require.
  3. When the software prompts you to turn the Q Drive on, do so.
  4. The Q Drive Firmware programming software will automatically establish communications with the PTS unit, erase the FLASH ROM and reprogram the FLASH ROM with the new file you have specified. Read the text messages to understand the progress as all this happens:
  5. Program Started

    Confirmation message

    Checking S record file...

    Checking the file for errors

    Selected S record file A:\ROM660.S19

    Everything is OK with the file

    Opened serial port 1

    Serial port which is being used

    Contacting Q Drive unit...

    Progress message

    *** SWITCH Q DRIVE ON NOW ***

    Instruction to USER

    Unlocking unit...

    Has made contact with Q Drive

    Flash Boot Version 1.2 15 Oct 97

    BOOT code info from the Q Drive

    Communications established

    Confirmation message

    Erasing...

    FLASH ROM is being erased

    Erase successful

    Confirmation message

    Programming...

    FLASH ROM is being programmed

    Programming successful

    Confirmation message

    Auto Program Complete

    Everything finished OK!

  6. Programming takes quite a while: as a rough indication a Q Drive SERVOnet unit will take approximately 5 minutes, and Q Drive 1+1 will take about 15 minutes and a Q Drive 1+1 Map will take about 25 minutes.
  7. When finished the software will indicate the success of this process. The Q Drive is then ready for use. Switch off the Q Drive. Exit the firmware programmer on the PC. Disconnect the serial cable from the Q Drive

Handling Errors

There are a number of possible errors that can occur during the programming of the FLASH ROM in the Q Drive. Most errors are self explanatory, such as no spare serial port on the PC, or a corrupted ROM image file. Study the error message, and retry as appropriate. Contact Quin Systems if necessary for more help.

NOTE: EVEN IF THE REPROGRAMMING OF A Q DRIVE FAILS IT CAN STILL BE REPROGRAMMED AGAIN! YOU CANNOT PERMANENTLY DAMAGE IT.

Advanced Options

The Q Drive firmware programming software can be used to upgrade many Q Drives, just select 'Reset Communications' from the Actions menu once a Q Drive has been upgraded, and then repeat the process for the next unit.

Verification of the FLASH ROM can also be performed, choose the verify option and press the GO! button.