Upgrading Firmware for the CETAC ASXPRESS PLUS Rapid Sample Introduction System Installation Guide 610094 Revision 3 1
COPYRIGHT 2010, 2011, 2015 Teledyne Technologies Inc. 610094 Revision 3, April, 2015 Teledyne CETAC Technologies Customer Service & Support 14306 Industrial Road Omaha, Nebraska 68144, USA Phone (800) 369-2822 (USA only) Phone (402) 733-2829 Fax (402) 733-1932 E-mail custserv@cetac.com REVISIONS Teledyne CETAC Technologies strives to provide the scientific community with an unparalleled combination of effective technology and continuing value. Modular upgrades for existing instruments will continue to be a prime consideration as designs progress. Teledyne CETAC Technologies reserves the right to revise this document and/or improve products described herein at any time without notice or obligation. Warranty registration entitles the named owner exclusively to manual change pages/new editions as they are published. SAFETY Instruments, accessories, components or other associated materials may not be returned to Teledyne CETAC Technologies if contaminated with biohazard or radioactive materials, infectious agents, or any other materials and/or conditions that could constitute a health or injury hazard to CETAC employees. Call Customer Service and Support if there is any question or doubt relative to decontamination requirements. CAUTION and WARNING statements, as applied in this document, shall be interpreted consistent with the following context: CAUTION applies only to potential property damage conditions; WARNING applies to potential personal injury conditions, in combination with or exclusive of potential property damage. All user-serviceable components are specifically identified in this document as such; the balance shall be assumed to require the expertise of a factory service technician/engineer for adjustment, repair, replacement, modification, etc. Others not so qualified and performing these actions shall do so at their own risk. Furthermore, never operate the instrument without first reading and understanding the Operator s Manual and ensuring that the instrument is operated safely and properly. Under all conditions the user must observe safe laboratory procedures during the operation of this product. TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Rabbit is a registered trademark of Rabbit Semiconductor. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. 2
1 Introduction The ASXPRESS PLUS Rapid Sample Introduction System contains firmware which interprets autosampler commands and directs the operation of the valve/pump module. You may need to upgrade the firmware for compatibility with certain autosamplers or as part of a service procedure. To upgrade the firmware, you will need to operate some switches inside the ASXPRESS PLUS electronics module. You will need the following equipment: An RS-232C serial cable with a female DB-9 connector (no null modem is required). Do not use a USB-to-serial converter. A PC with an available serial port. A small Phillips-head screwdriver. The firmware and upgrade utility (rfu.exe), provided on a CD or sent to you by Teledyne CETAC Technologies (via email, a Web site, etc.). Refer to the ASXPRESS PLUS Rapid Sample Introduction System Operator s Manual for safety information. 2 Accessing the Board Inside the ASXPRESS PLUS Electronics Module 1. Turn off the power switch on the back of the ASXPRESS PLUS electronics module. 2. Unplug the electronics module from the power supply. 3. Disconnect all of the various serial and other cables that normally attach to its back. 3
4. Open the access panel on the back of the electronics module. Removing the DIP switch access cover 5. With the power off, set the DIP switches to the Program position. DIP switches in Program position 6. Re-connect the power to the electronics module and turn it on. 7. Connect a serial cable from the computer to the serial port on the back of the electronics module labeled GUI COM. 4
Do not use a USB-to-serial converter. A converter cannot be used for programming the firmware. 3 Running the Field Update Utility The firmware is loaded into the electronics module by a small utility application called the Rabbit Field Utility. (The name comes from the Rabbitbranded single-board computer in the electronics module.) 1. Find the firmware directory on the CD. 2. Run the Rabbit Field Utility application, RFU.exe. 3. On the Setup menu, click Communications. 5
4. Select the COM port on the computer that is connected to the electronics module, then click OK. 5. On the Setup menu, click File Locations. 6. In the Choose File Locations window, fill in the fields with Cold Loader as coldload.bin and Pilot BIOS as pilot.bin, then click OK. 7. On the File menu, click Load Flash Image. 6
8. In the Choose Flash Image window, select the firmware file. 9. Click OK. A progress bar will appear. 10. When the upgrade is complete, the Rabbit Field Utility can be closed. 4 Returning the Electronics Module to Its Normal Configuration 1. Turn off the power switch and disconnect the power cord from the ASXPRESS PLUS electronics module. 2. Return the DIP switches to the Run position. DIP switches in Run position 3. Replace the cover. 8. Reconnect the power cord and turn on the power switch. NOTE: DIP switch #5 is connected to the battery. This switch should be left ON. If the switch is turned off then back on, the low battery message will be displayed the first time you run the Xpress Configuration tool. See the Operator s Manual for more information. 7
5 Verifying the Firmware Upgrade 1. Connect a USB or serial cable to the GUI COM port on the back of the electronics module. 2. Start the C-Term software. C-Term is installed as part of the Xpress Config software installation and should be found on the Start menu alongside the Xpress Config software. 3. On the Tools menu, click Serial Port Setup. 4. Select the COM port that the ASXPRESS PLUS electronics module is connected to, then click OK. 5. Type @VER. The system should respond with the new firmware version. 6. The firmware upgrade is now complete. For more help, contact Teledyne CETAC Technologies Service & Support at the phone number listed on page 2. 8