4 - Firmware Upgrades & Updates
GPStation™ User Manual
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4
FIRMWARE UPGRADES & UPDATES
The GPStation stores its program firmware in non-volatile memory, which allows the user to perform firmware upgrades
and updates without having to return the GPStation to the factory. New firmware can be downloaded to the GPStation
through a serial port, and the unit will immediately be ready for operation at a higher level of performance.
The first step in upgrading your receiver is to contact NovAtel GPS Customer Service via any of the methods described in
the Customer Service section at the beginning of this manual. A Customer Service Representative will assist you in
selecting the best upgrade option that suits your specific GPS needs.
When you call, be sure to have available your GPStation model number, serial number, and program revision level. This
information is printed on the original shipping box as well as on the back side of the GPStation itself. You can also verify
the information by issuing the VERSION command at the port prompt.
After establishing which new model/revision level would best suit your needs, and having described the terms and
conditions, Customer Service will issue to you an authorization code (auth-code). The auth-code is required to unlock
the new features according to your authorized upgrade/update model type.
There are two procedures to choose from, depending on the type of upgrade/update you require:
1. If you are upgrading to a higher performance model at the same firmware revision level (e.g. upgrading from a
GPSTN Rev. 3.42, to a GPSTNM Rev. 3.42), you can use the $AUTH special command.
2. If
you
are
updating to a higher firmware revision level of the same model (e.g. updating a GPSTN Rev. 3.42 to a
higher revision level of the same model), you will need to download new program firmware to the GPStation using
the Loader utility program. As the Loader and update programs are generally provided in a compressed file format,
you will also be given a file decompression password. The Loader and update files can be found on NovAtel’s BBS
or FTP site, or can be sent to you on floppy disk or by e-mail.
Customer Service will provide you with all the information which you require to update or upgrade your receiver.
UPGRADING USING THE $AUTH COMMAND
The $AUTH command is a special input command which authorizes the enabling or unlocking of the various model
features. Use this command when upgrading to a higher performance GPStation model available within the same
revision level as your current model (e.g., upgrading from a GPSTN Rev. 3.42, to a GPSTNM Rev. 3.42). This
command will only function in conjunction with an auth-code assigned by GPS Customer Service.
The upgrade can be performed directly from WinSat’s Command Line Screen, or from any other communications
program. The procedure is as follows:
1) Power-up the GPStation and establish communications over a serial port (see Section 3, Operation)
2) Issue the VERSION command to verify the current firmware model number, revision level, and serial number.
3) Issue the $AUTH command, followed by the auth-code and model type. The syntax is as follows:
Syntax:
$auth auth-code