Software Release Notes - 4.5 Patch 2 (v4.5.264)

Introduction

These software release notes describe Release 4.5 Patch 2 of the Design Pad G4 Software Suite including Design Pad G4, Schema Viewer G4, associated tools, and device firmware. This patch includes numerous new features, enhancements, and bug fixes. See below for details.

DOWNLOAD LINK

DesignPadG4_Release_v4.5.264.zip (24.77 MB)

Release Date

April 24, 2012

Download Contents

This file contains a general v4.5.264 software release. It includes software for the following products:

• Design Pad G4
• Schema Viewer G4
• FANDA Tools (SDK, Browser, OPC Server)
• FairNET OPC Server
• Firmware for:
  • All Chameleon Modules (SEE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS SECTION BELOW)
  • FAC-2100
  • Smart Valve

INSTALLATION

Release Package

Release 4.5 Patch 2 of the software and associated tools are contained in the following files delivered in the ZIP file.

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Special Considerations

1. If your schema uses the EtherNet/IP Object operator, after installing this update it is recommended that you delete that operator from your programs and then re-add it.
2. IMPORTANT NOTE: Because this patch changes the NIM-2 operating system there are additional actions that must be performed when compared to a standard firmware update. As such, the process to update the first firmware upgrade from a version prior to 4.5.264 on the NIM2 can take up to 10 minutes. The status LED can be steady or flashing green, amber and/or RED during that time. The board must not be removed from the node or power cycled during that time. Failure to follow this guideline will likely result in a nonfunctional board. This additional time for the firmware update is only needed for NIM-2 modules.
3. IMPORTANT NOTE: The NIM2 firmware in this release cannot be downgraded in the field to versions prior to v4.5.264. If after upgrading the user wants to return to a version prior to v4.5.264, the NIM2 must be returned to the factory. In general, please contact Fairmount Automation technical support if there is a desire to downgrade a product firmware to a version previous to that it shipped with. Also, it is recommended that you contact Fairmount Automation technical support if upgrading a NIM-2 from a version prior to v4.5.x.
4. The NIM-2 firmware files NIM2.4.5.xxx.$cc and NIM2_Release-kernel.4.5.xxx.bin are obsolete and replaced by NIM2L.4.5.xxx.$cc.
5. Power should not be removed during the firmware update process or the device may need to be returned to the factory.
6. As always, customers should ensure the updated software meets their requirements in a test environment prior to deploying in a production environment.

Installing Design Pad G4

This patch will overwrite any previous installation. If you need to keep those older versions you may manually rename the existing \Program Files\Fairmount Automation\Design Pad G4 folder to a custom name. Run the FADP.exe file in those folders to execute the previous version.

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1. Transfer the G4 Software ZIP file to the local computer.
2. UnZIP the file into a temporary folder on the local computer.
3. Navigate to the temporary folder and open the 'DesignPadG4Installer' subdirectory.
4. Run setup.exe and follow the prompts.
5. Design Pad G4 will not function without a valid license.
   1. Any existing Design Pad G4 or G3 license will work with this patch update.
   2. If you do not have an existing license then, after installation is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to send the license request to Fairmount Automation.
      1. After you receive the license file, paste it into your \Windows or \Program Files\Fairmount Automation\Design Pad G4 folder.

Upgrading Existing Installations

See the Chameleon, FAC-2100, and Smart Valve Firmware Current Release pages for information on using the firmware files contained in this release to update those particular targets.

NEW FEATURES, ENHANCEMENTS, AND CHANGES

New Features

• The NIM-2 operating system was changed to improve stability and provide a sustainable path for future enhancements. Among other things, this change resolved an issue of occasional device reboots under certain conditions. (NIMIIL Project, SWGEN-16)

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• The ability to have a limited custom Binary message definition has been added to the Ethernet channel. See the Design Pad Programming Manual for more information. (NIMIIL-288, NIMIIL-275)

Enhancements

• The Chameleon backplane position algorithm has been improved to force a particular module to remain in its initial discovered position in the node and not shift. The previous implementation opened the possibility for the module to incorrectly shift positions when certain error conditions were encountered. This change will improve the stability of a running node when faults are introduced to the system. (SWCHA-612)

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• Improved the FLASH write time in the algorithm that runs in response to a power loss. (SWFACGII-68)

Changes

Chameleon - General

• In certain scenarios it is possible for the Backplane Signaling Operator to not properly transition the associated line. This was resolved. (SWCHA-576)

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• When a PROFIBUS master was configured for Word-width I/O modules the interpreted size of the message from a SLAVE was incorrectly limited to half the proper number of words (for example: 32 Words was limited to 32 Bytes). This issue was resolved. (SWCHA-611)

Chameleon and FAC2100

• It was found that when the embedded software encountered a specific recoverable microprocessor hardware fault that it may hang waiting for the normal condition to occur (and reboot). This situation has been improved to detect the fault, recover, and report the error to the user. (SWCHA-629)

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• The numeric displays on the FAC-2100 are programmed to re-initialize all internal drivers once per second to recover from extreme EMI events. There was a parameter on some drivers in the re-initialization sequence that was not being written. This has been resolved. (SWFACGII-73)

NIM-2

• Erasing a schema that includes a configured SNMP receiver operator may cause the device to crash. This issue has been resolved. (NIMIIL-227)

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• There existed the rare possibility for memory corruption in the SNMP networking stack. These were removed. (SWCHA-632)

NIM-2 and Smart Valve

• If an EtherNET/IP Operator is installed in a program, and its Enable pin is not connected, the target device may crash on schema execution. (NIMIIL-298)

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• In some cases when an explicit EtherNET/IP connection is made some undefined data may be returned. This issue was resolved. (SWCHA-607)

Design Pad and Schema Viewer

• There is a feature in Design Pad that allows the user to password protect their schemas. When this feature was accessed from the right-click menu in the workspace menu it incorrectly resulted in a partial lock of the hardware interface file. This erroneous menu item has been removed and now the only method to password protect a schema is from the Schema menu on the toolbar. (SWDPGIV-431)

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