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

- A Q Drive (1+1/1+1 Map/SERVOnet) for upgrading. This will require power for the control cards (6.7V DC) or AC mains power. Ensure however that any machinery the Q Drive is connected to will be safe when the Q Drive is switched on but not operating.

- A Serial cable for PC to PTS Systems communications. This is the cable used for PTS Toolkit.

- A PC running Windows 3.1, '95 or NT. Any PC that works with PTS Toolkit will be sufficient.

- Q Drive Firmware programming software. This is supplied on a single floppy disk.

- A FLASH ROM file which will contain the PTS firmware for the Q Drive. This file will have the name ROMxxx.S19 where xxx is the ROM number.

Instructions

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

- Start PC and enter Microsoft Windows

- Insert Q Drive Firmware programming disk in drive A.

- Windows 3.x: choose File, Run from Program Manager. Type A:\FLASHPRG.EXE in the text box and press return. Windows '95 & NT: Choose Run from the Start button. Type A:\FLASHPRG.EXE in the text box and press return

- [To install the software on the hard disk copy the entire contents of the floppy disk into a new directory, create an icon to reference the program if required, and run FLASHPRG.EXE when required]

- Use the default settings of this program: Start communications and automatic programming cycle.

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:

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!

5. 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.

6. 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.