4.6.61 - Design Pad, Schema Viewer, Chameleon, FAC-2100, FANDA

Document Number: PDG-RN-2021-003

4.6.61(p12) Software Release Notes

Release Build Date

February 17th, 2021

External Release Date

February 18th, 2021

New Features

• NIM2/Design Pad
  
  • Add TCP support to binary communication channel. (SWCHA-783, SWDPGIV-586)
  • Add user configurable delay to board startup. (SWDPGIV-584)
  • Add configuration option for MTU. (SWDPGIV-585)
  • Add support for additional IP address. (SWDPGIV-784)
  • Add command line set of IP address (SWDPGIV-679)

• Design Pad
  • Improved RTC set function to use time when message is sent. (SWDPGIV-588)
  • Added memory information for compiled schemas to output window. (SWDPGIV-594)
  • Add warning popup when opening files in old format. (SWDPGIV-604)

Changes

• Chameleon
  • Improve error detection on backplane. (SWCHA-797)
  • Add a minimum number of reports to error conditions so the selfdiag operator output will not 'pulse' if they are reported during module probes and have a periodicity that can occasionally drop off. (SWCHA-802)
  • Correct sporadic issue with multi-packet backplane messages. (SWCHA-807)
  • Fix regression in flash variables from patch 11. (SWCHA-809)
•  AIN1
  • Update to support hardware revision D. (SWCHA-803)
  • Update to analog processing to improve accuracy. (SWCHA-779)

• NIM2
  • Update openssl/openssh. (SWGEN-41), (SWCHA-804)
  • Update bootrom, updates to options processing. (SWCHA-751, SWCHA-786)
  • Change snmp to only start when used. (SWCHA-787)
  • Increased Maximum NDL xml size to 32728 bytes. (SWCHA-789)
  • Support for updating firmware over IR.  (SWCHA-791)
  • Correct ETHERNET/IP Regression in 4.6.61.  (SWCHA-808)

• Design Pad
  • Don't warn about downgrading if the cpld is unprogrammed. (SWDPGIV-688)
  • Fix issue with CLI comm port. (SWDPGIV-593)
  • Fix issue with CLI query hw info. (SWDPGIV-595)
  • Fix issue with CLI firmware update to IP address. (SWDPGIV-596)
  • Fix issue with sim data directory that could cause crash.  (SWDPGIV-573)
  • Updated error filter list. (SWDPGIV-579)
  • Limit operator creation with high pin count. (SWDPGIV-592)
  • Fix rare issue with name spaced variables and resolved names. (SWDPGIV-580)
  • Fix issue with popup on simulation with over/under current on temp sensor. (SWDPGIV-581)
  • Allow ability to change dump file type for crash reporting. (SWDPGIV-583)
  • Improve update of NIM2 and Chameleon firmware over IR. (SWDPGIV-681)
  • Correct crash under certain conditions with large structure libraries, simulation, and compilation.  (SWDPGIV-684)
  • Added new check for unlinked network operator under certain conditions.  (SWDPGIV-685)
  • Make ETHERNET/IP input assembly tree consistent with output assembly tree. (SWDPGIV-689)

• FANDA Browser
  • Fix crash when unable to create user specified log file. (SWFANDA-30)

DOWNLOAD LINKS

Design Pad G4

Design Pad G4 Release Package

This file contains the Fairmount Automation v4.6.61 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:
• Chameleon, FAC-2100

Schema Viewer G4

Schema Viewer G4 Release Package

This file contains the Fairmount Automation v4.6.61 software release. It includes software for the following products:

• Schema Viewer G4

Fairmount Device Firmware

It is NOT necessary to download these files separately as they are included in the Design Pad and/or Schema Viewer v4.6.61 installation. They can be found in \Program Files\Fairmount Automation\<PROGRAM NAME> or \Program Files(x86)\Fairmount Automation\<PROGRAM NAME> (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..
4. [NIM2] See 4.6.41 release notes for information on protected ports if upgrading from a release prior to 4.6.41.
   
5. NIM2/Chameleon firmware update.  When initially updating to 4.6.*57*, the NIM2 should be updated first.  This will allow the NIM2 to preserve its IP address during the Chameleon firmware update and then allow the rest of the node to be updated over ethernet.  After the NIM2 is at level 4.6.61, the update order does not matter.  Also note that Design Pad 4.6.61 and above are required to support this feature.

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" or "\Program Files(x86)\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\Schema Viewer G4" or "\Program Files(x86)\Fairmount Automation\Schema Viewer 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 v4.6.61 or higher.
2. Select 'Use Ethernet' from the Communications Menu.

To Update a Single NIM-2 from Design Pad G4 or Schema Viewer G4 v4.6.61:

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.4.6.61.$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 v4.6.61:

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.4.6.61.$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.4.6.61.$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_2100.4.6.61.$cc file when requested
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download