JANUARY 2010 - TD 220a DEPLOYMENT GUIDE, RDCP600
Page
81
Reliable solutions
5.5
Software update of Main Board
Instructions for uploading RDCP 600 Image and updating the Flash Registry are given in the
subchapters on page 82 and 83. Description around the procedures is given below.
5.5.1
Updating RDCP600 Image and updating it with new Registry
This section covers the task of upgrading an RDCP 600 image (the main software of the unit)
and the instrument database (the Registry).
The Registry is a vital part of the RDCP 600 software. It holds information that the software uses
to obtain information about different software components the system loads and unloads during
an execution. The Registry also holds information about default configurations, instrument
configuration and current deployment configuration. Calibration information for the auxiliary
sensors is also stored in the Registry.
There are actually three copies of the Registry in the system. One is stored together with the
image and is called the ROM version. Another is stored in Flash and is called the Flash version.
Both these are non-volatile. That is, they are not lost when power is switched off.
When the instrument is switched on, the operating system first looks for a Registry copy in the
Flash. If it finds one, this version of the Registry is copied into RAM and becomes the working
Registry. If it does not find a valid Registry in the Flash, it copies the default ROM version
(which is always present) into RAM and makes this one the working Registry.
Modifications to the Registry takes place in the RAM copy as long as the instrument is
operating. Occasionally the RAM version is copied to the Flash version when you have changed
vital settings such as Deployment configuration. You will notice this as a short flashing message
on the screen. You may also force the instrument to copy the current working Registry to Flash
by means of the Flash Registry in the Control Panel.
The Flash version of the Registry is
not
erased when you upload a new image using a MMC
card. In this way we preserve the instrument’s settings even when the software itself is replaced.
Uploading an image from a Compact Flash, however, will erase the Flash version of Registry
and force the instrument to use the ROM version that came with the new image. In this way we
may (by selecting to upload from a MMC or Compact Flash card) decide whether to replace the
non-volatile Registry with a new one or not.
It is usually not necessary to replace the Registry when uploading a new image. However,
sometimes new or modified components are included in the new software that needs information
to be stored in the registry.
An
application has been designed that updates the Flash version without erasing important
settings and user data. The section ‘Instructions for updating the Flash Registry’ describes how
to use this application.
NOTE! Be sure to install the new image according to the procedure outlined in the Instructions
for uploading RDCP600 Image subchapter before
updating the Flash Registry.
