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.

The DesignPadG4_Release_v4.5.264.zip contains the following files:

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.

Follow these steps to install Design Pad G4:

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)

• Added a command line interface to Design Pad that allows external programs to make calls and perform operations such as download schemas, query hardware information, retrieve data logger information, and much more. (SWDPGIV-351)

• Added a new feature to allow the FairNET master rank to be manually adjusted. Also, added the capability for the programmer to adjust the number of Masters and Slaves in the network. (SWDPGIV-428)

• Added a new feature where the Design Pad programmer can set a parameter to allow the PROFIBUS network address to be configured in Schema Viewer. Added the capability for Schema Viewer to set the network address if permissions allow that right. (SWDPGIV-429)

• 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)

• Improved the FairNET network response time and tuned network parameters. This fix resolves the issue of occasional dropped or missed packets and the subsequent call of a brief network reception error. (SWFACGII-75)

• Enhanced the Ethernet port handling in the software which improved some reconnect issues on systems where multiple protocols were used. (SWCHA-610)

• The simulation capability as been improved to now include saving FLASH variables across simulation runs in a manner similar to how the actual device will save variable across power cycles. (SWDPGIV-419)

• The diagnostic reporting capability was enhanced to provide device state information and/or crash dump data immediately proceeding critical device events or failures. This new capability will improve our ability to diagnose and rapidly fix issues if they occur. (SWCHA-613)

• 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)

• Various issues with reprogramming modules in nodes which contain a NIM-2 module and the program not properly being transferred to swapped in module were discovered. Known issues have been resolved. Also, note, the addition of backplane terminators may resolve some of these issues. See Chameleon Installation Guide for more information. (SWCHA-590)

• 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)

• Fixed various issues with software mutex locks that could result in device reboot. (SWFACGII-76, SWFACGII-74, SWCHA-635, SWCHA-579, NIMIIL-302, SWFACGII-78, SWCHA-615)

• In cases where the Snapshot Data Recorder operator was used in the program, and the trigger pin was removed, a crash in the device may occur when the schema is executed. This has been resolved and the device will no longer crash. (SWCHA-634)

• 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)

• Strip Chart recorder on the NIM-2 was always being reset regardless if the Receive and Reset or just Receive command was set. Fixed issue so Receive only command does not reset the buffer. (NIMIIL-229)

• FANDA Multicast rate is now the compute loop rate, previously it was the compute loop + approximately 10ms. (NIMIIL-232)

• Improved the clarity of messages the internal diagnostic messaging log in the NIM-2. (NIMIIL-258)

• Increased the maximum size of the circular diagnostic log buffer. (NIMIIL-259)

• Improved the descriptiveness of diagnostic messages associated with the Thread Monitor. (NIMIIL-273)

• Previous NIM-2 diagnostic logs identified any ASM-1 modules in the node as unrecognized type. The ASM-1 module has been added as a recognized type in the log. (NIMIIL-292)

• In certain situations the NIM-2 module was not displaying an error code when it detected a bad schema. This has been resolved and the error code is now shown on the Status LED and query hardware log. (NIMIIL-314)

• Improved the NIM-2 fault tolerance to error conditions involving invalid node positions. (SWCHA-502)

• Improved the NIM-2 internal diagnostic log to now keep two log files (one from previous boot and one from current boot). Both logs are returned when Design Pad/Schema Viewer retrieves the logs. (NIMIIL-169)

• The NIM-2, when located in a SLAVE position in a node, was receiving characters over the IR port but not processing them. If the NIM-2 should need to transition to a MASTER position (i.e. the old MASTER removed from the node) the NIM-2 may process these previously received characters. The NIM-2 now ignores all IR traffic when in a slave position. (SWCHA-540)

• Some lights (such as emergency flashing siren lights) emit high levels of IR-content when activated. When the NIM-2 was exposed to such content the IR receive buffer would flood and lead to a reboot. Additional software filtering was added to the channel and the issue has been resolved. (SWCHA-592)

• Improved the invalid schema program detection algorithm to include additional hot-swap recovery scenarios. (SWCHA-593, NIMIIL-260)

• Previously, if a NIM-2 in a node master position experienced an internal fault that required a reboot, it would send the reboot message to all members of the node. This behavior has been changed so only the NIM-2 reboots. (SWCHA-594)

• 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)

• Previous EtherNET/IP communication library required an Assembly connection before any Objects could be updated. This has been improved to not require an Assembly for Objects to function. (SWCHA-268)

• EtherNET/IP Object Attribute permissions as defined in the XML definition file were not being honored. This issue has been resolved and the defined permissions are now enforced. (SWCHA-587)

• Increased EtherNET/IP maximum connection counts as follows: Maximum Sockets increase from 30 to 96, Maximum Sessions increased from 20 to 45, Maximum Servers Per Client increased from 34 to 40. (SWCHA-588)

• v4.5.230 introduced an issue where EtherNET/IP Object receive values may alternate between the correct value and 0. This was fixed. (SWCHA-591)

• 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)

• If an EtherNET/IP Operator is installed in a program, and its Enable pin is not connected, Design Pad may crash on schema simulation. (NIMIIL-220)

• Issue was resolved that was preventing retrieval of data recorder information from the Ethernet interface. (NIMIIL-230)

• Fixed issue with Modbus/TCP operators in subschema's where the structure type was not properly being linked. (NIMIIL-235)

• Currently NIM-2s in a slave position do not have a full communication configuration and diagnostic interface to Design Pad over Ethernet (only NIM-2s in a master position have this capability). Design Pad and Schema Viewer were providing the user with options for the full communication capability to slave NIM-2 modules. This is now properly restricted to the supported set. (NIMIIL-285)

• A new feature was added to EtherNET/IP Object operators configured in Server Mode to show the (R)ead/(W)rite attributes of the associated signal. (SWDPGIV-425)

• In certain scenarios, when hardware interface files are reused and renamed in a workspace, attempting to communicate with one of the reused hardware interface file devices would result in communication with one of the others. This issue was resolved. (SWDPGIV-426)

• There was a crash potential when removing the structure XML definition file from a program that still contained items that used the removed definition. This has been resolved and the program will no longer crash. Additionally, these undefined items (variables, etc.) will now be unavailable in the compiled schema until a new definition is linked. (SWDPGIV-427)

• Design Pad and Schema viewer allow the user to customize the number of recent files to show in the Recent File and Workspace lists. If that number was set to zero the program would crash and require the parameter to be reset in the registry. This issue has been resolved and the setting can now be zero. (SWDPGIV-432)

• The EtherNET/IP Object dynamic operator pins may not show the correct signal types as defined in the associated XML definition file. For example, Boolean types were appearing as Floating Point signals. This issue was resolved and the proper pin types now appear. (SWDPGIV-434)

• Running HMIs with a particular functionality caused a memory access violation and may cause the program to crash. The violation was corrected. (SWDPGIV-455)

• The window that shows the list of stations and associated master rank in the FairNET network properties was too small, and in certain conditions, did not show the last station in the list. This was resolved. (SWDPGIV-456)

• Fixed potential race condition when updating FAC-2100 to new firmware where Design Pad/Schema Viewer would reset the board before the update was complete. Update delayed Design Pad/Schema Viewer and added additional safeties to firmware. (SWFACGII-71)