495
Programmable Hardware Manual (PHM)
© Tibbo Technology Inc.
Updating Probe Firmware
The Monitor/Loader
The application firmware of Bus Probes is updated with the aid of a resident
firmware called the Monitor/Loader (M/L).
The M/L is launched every time a Bus Probe is powered up or reboots. When
happens next depends on whether the MD button is pressed at the moment the M/L
starts running:
·
If the
is not pressed
, the M/L verifies the sanity of and launches the
application firmware.
·
If the MD button is pressed
, the M/L enters the firmware update mode. This
mode is for updating the application firmware of Bus Probes. The firmware is
updated via the RS485 port of Bus Probes, using the XModem communications
protocol.
Prerequisites
To update a Bus Probe's firmware, you must have the firmware file you will be
sending into that Bus Probe. BP firmware is published here:
http://tibbo.com/support/downloads/bus-probe-firmware.html
. A single firmware file
covers all BP models.
Perhaps the most convenient way of updating the application firmware of Bus
Probes is by using a TPS2(G2) system running one of the two
If you don't have a TPS(G2) device you can perform a firmware upgrade from your
PC.
To perform an Xmodem serial upgrade from a PC:
·
You must have a USB-to-RS485 cable. We successfully tested DigiFusion "FTDI-
based" USB-to-RS485 cable.
·
You must have a DC power source providing clean power in the 5~12V range.
·
You will need a "terminal" software supporting XModem file transfers. Any
"terminal" software capable of sending files using XModem protocol will do. For
example, you can employ Tibbo's own
IO Ninja
software. You can download it
here:
http://ioninja.com/downloads.html
Update procedure
·
Connect the USB-to-RS485 cable to your PC.
·
Interconnect the RS485+ and RS485- terminals of your Bus Probe with
corresponding terminals on the USB-to-RS485 cable.
·
Connect the power source to +V and GND terminals of the Bus Probe. Keep the
supply voltage in the 5~12V range.
·
Turn off the power.
·
Run
IO Ninja
software.