PSM-500/500L/500LT SCPC Satellite Modem
Maintenance
PSM-500/500L/500LT - Rev. 0.91
Page 4-11
The M500 Flash Update program gives feedback to the user during the update process. If you
suspect that something is not going correctly with the update process then wait until the current
process is completed and contact Datum Systems via email with details of what is observed. We
have tried very hard to make the program as robust as possible.
There are two types of software/firmware files that may be uploaded to the modem. One is for the
main modem itself and its binary file name begins with “M500U”. The other is update firmware for
the particular FEC card that may be installed and its binary file name begins with “M500F”. The
update program is intended to determine which one of these may be required and which one
should be loaded first.
All user settings and calibration data are maintained when newer software revisions are installed.
⇒
CAUTION: The process of updating software will result in disruption of any traffic
currently through the PSM-500. Upgrade should not be performed on a live traffic unit.
⇒
CAUTION: The process of updating software must not be interrupted once started. In
the rare occasions when a new bootloader is installed in flash, failure to complete this
portion of the loading process may result in complete loss of the modem programming. In
this eventuality the modem must be returned to Datum Systems for software initialization
and calibration..
Complete update of the modem normally requires approximately 4 to 6 minutes. The process
cannot be accomplished on multiple modems simultaneously.
Before performing an update check the web site first to determine if there is a later firmware
revision and if there is any advantage to performing the update. The firmware revision on the web
is compared to that in the modem.
To determine the modem’s current Unit firmware revision go to the front panel and navigate to the
<Unit: Status - Version>
parameter. It will display a number including two decimal points, for
example 0.09.000 where the 0.09 represents the firmware revision “0.09” of modem type “000”.
In this case the 000 type is a 70 MHz modem. Then if on the web site there is found for example
a firmware updated version number 0.12.000 that indicates that the latest revision available for
the 70 MHz M500 modem is 0.12. The file can be downloaded, unzipped and placed in the
C:\Program Files\M500 FLASH Loader directory where the program can find it. It may alternately
be placed in another directory or folder and you will have to browse to locate the binary file.
And finally the procedure:
1. Insure that the modem is connected to the PC via a USB type A to B cable, and the
modem is powered on. The USB drivers for the modem should have already been
installed.
2. Start the update program via “
Start – Programs – M500 FLASH Loader”
menu, and
the M500 Flash Loader program should start and recognize the attached modem. In a
few seconds the modem’s serial number and other information will be shown in the left
panel displaying a window similar to that below.
