4.6.23 Software Release Notes

Document Number: PDG-RN-2014-002

Internal Release Date

October 8th, 2014

External Release Date

December 19th, 2014

NEW FEATURES AND CHANGES

New Features

• Support for the FT-5000 based NIM6 Rev D .  (SWCHA-704, SWCHA-720)

Changes

Chameleon - General

• Corrected description of io capabilities on DAM3 module page.  (SWDPGIV-536)
• Fix potential issue with FANDA buffers. (SWFANDA-26)
• Fix issue with MODBUS read/write of multiple coils which can cause module to stop responding(SWCHA-719)
• ETHERNET/IP interoperability enhancements. (SWCHA-726)
• Added ETHERNET/IP object support for structures.  (SWCHA-703)
• Corrected issues with ETHERNET/IP objects using read/write attributes.  (SWCHA-274)

Design Pad and Schema Viewer

• Correct display issues with ETHERNET/IP object operators.  (SWDPGIV-535, SWDPGIV-534)
• Do not send control code down to module it it already has the same control code version.  (SWDPGIV-529)
• Support for REV D NIM6.  (SWDPGIV-531)
• Support two methods of IR communication for future products.  (SWDPGIV-523)

Smart Valve

• Corrected issue where a netmask greater than 24 bits is interpreted incorrectly. (SWSV-274)

NIM-2

• Corrected issue where a netmask greater than 24 bits is interpreted incorrectly. (SWCHA-722)

AIN-1

• Modified firmware to reduce crosstalk between channels under certain conditions. (SWCHA-713, SWCHA-718)

FAC-2100

• Corrected issue with fade on alphanumeric causing crash.  (SWFACGII-85)

DOWNLOAD LINKS

Design Pad G4

Design Pad G4 Release Package

This file contains the Fairmount Automation v4.6.23 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

Schema Viewer G4

Schema Viewer G4 Release Package

This file contains the Fairmount Automation v4.6.23 software release. It includes software for the following products:

• Schema Viewer G4
• Firmware for:
• All Chameleon Modules (SEE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS SECTION BELOW)
• FAC-2100
• Smart Valve

Fairmount Device Firmware

It is NOT necessary to download these file separately as they are included in the Design Pad and/or Schema Viewer v4.6.10 installation. They can be found in \Program Files\Fairmount Automation\<PROGRAM NAME> folder (where <PROGRAM NAME> is 'Design Pad G4' or 'Schema Viewer G4').

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

1. As always, customers should ensure the updated software meets their requirements in a test environment prior to deploying in a production environment.
2. Power should not be removed during the firmware update process or the device may need to be returned to the factory.
3. If you are upgrading from a release prior to 4.5.264, you must review the release notes for 4.5.264_Patch 2.  There are several important considerations when upgrading from pre-4.5.264 releases to release 4.6 that are included in that document..
   
   IMPORTANT :  This especially impacts the NIM2 firmware when upgrading from older releases as the NIM-2 operating system changes and 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(Patch 2) 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.

INSTALLATION

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 'Design-Pad-Installer' 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. After you receive the license file, copy it into your "\Windows" or "\Program Files\Fairmount Automation\Design Pad G4" folder.

Installing Schema Viewer 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\Schema Viewer G4 folder to a custom name. Run the FADP.exe file in those folders to execute the previous version.

Follow these steps to install Schema Viewer 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 'Schema-Viewer-Installer' sub-directory.
4. Run setup.exe and follow the prompts.
5. Schema Viewer G4 will not function without a valid license.
1. Any existing Schema Viewer 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. After you receive the license file, copy it into your "\Windows" or "\Program Files\Fairmount Automation\Design Pad G4" folder.

Chameleon Installation

IMPORTANT:  When updating nodes that contain NIM-2 modules, the NIM-2s should be updated first and then the non-NIM-2 modules. This will ensure that the NIM-2s maintain the needed network settings to perform the update over Ethernet.

Updating NIM-2 Modules:

Ensure the NIM-2(s) are configured (IP address loaded, etc.) to be on the same network as the computer that is performing the update.

1. Start Design Pad or Schema Viewer v4.6.23 or higher.
2. Select 'Use Ethernet' from the Communications Menu.

To Update a Single NIM-2 from Design Pad G4 or Schema Viewer G4 v4.6.23:

1. 1. Open the Workspace and HWI associated with the NIM-2 to update.
   2. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
   3. When prompted, select the NIM2L.4.6.23.$cc file
   4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download

To Update Multiple NIM-2s from Design Pad G4 or Schema Viewer G4 v4.6.23:

1. 1. Open the Workspace associated with the NIM-2 to update.
   2. Right-click on the word 'Workspace' in the Workspace window and select Update Firmware (All Ethernet Hardware) from the Communications sub-menu.
   3. Press the 'Browse' button and select the NIM2L.4.6.23.$cc file
   4. Select the NIM-2s to update in the 'Select Ethernet Hardware' window.
   5. Press the 'Upload' button to start the update process.

Updating Non-NIM-2 Modules:

1. Start Design Pad or Schema Viewer
2. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
3. Align the IR wand to the right-most module
4. Select the Chameleon.4.6.23.$cc file when requested
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download 

FAC-2100 Installation

1. Start Design Pad or Schema Viewer
2. Attach the serial cable from the computer to the COM1 port on the controller
3. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
4. Select the FAC_2100.4.6.23.$cc file when requested
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download

Smart Valve Installation

Due to the time needed to perform an IR update, it is recommended that the firmware update be done whenever possible using the Ethernet interface (a few minutes) rather than the serial IR interface (40+ minutes).

Updating Smart Valves using Ethernet:

1. Ensure the Smart Valve(s) are configured (IP address loaded, etc.) to be on the same network as the computer that is performing the update.
2. Start Design Pad or Schema Viewer 4.6.23 or higher.
3. Select 'Use Ethernet' from the Communications Menu.

To Update a Single Smart Valve:

1. 1.  Open the Workspace and HWI associated with the Smart Valve to update.
   2. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
   3. Press the 'Browse' button and select the Smartvalve.4.6.23.$cc file
   4. Keep 'Preserve network settings after reboot' checked.
   5. Press the Upload button to start the update process.

To Update Multiple Smart Valves:

1. 1. Open the Workspace associated with the Smart Valves to update.
   2. Right-click on the word 'Workspace' in the Workspace window and select Update Firmware (All Ethernet Hardware) from the Communications sub-menu.
   3. Press the 'Browse' button and select the Smartvalve.4.6.23.$cc file
   4. Select the Smart Valves to update in the 'Select Ethernet Hardware' window.
   5. Keep 'Preserve network settings after reboot' checked.
   6. Press the 'Upload' button to start the update process.

During the firmware update process, any existing Smart Valve program will be erased. If desired, reprogram valve by opening the desired program and selecting Program Hardware (reset schemas) from the Communications Menu.

Updating the Smart Valves using IR:

1. Start Design Pad or Schema Viewer
2. Open the Workspace and HWI associated with the Smart Valve to update.
3. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
4. Remove the IR blocking plug (if installed) and align the IR wand to the actuator
5. Select the Smartvalve.4.6.23.$cc file when requested
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download

During the firmware update process, any existing Smart Valve program will be erased. If desired, reprogram valve by opening the desired program and selecting Program Hardware (reset schemas) from the Communications Menu.