Current Software Release

Document Number: PDG-RN-2017-001

4.6.46 Software Release Notes

Release Build Date

August 4th, 2017

External Release Date

August 10th, 2017

New Features

• Chameleon General
  
  • Add ability to filter errors from being displayed on status LED, errors are always reported through schema. (SWDPGIV-578)
  • Add ability to reporting error if IR disable jumper is not installed. (support depends on hardware revision, see Table 1 below) (SWCHA-769)
• NIM2
  • Add ability to upgrade firmware over Ethernet to node through master or slave nim2. (see note 5) (SWDPGIV-575, SWCHA-772)
  • Add ability to access module variables on Ethernet modules through the network in addition to globals to reduce backplane traffic. (SWCHA-773)
• NIM1/NIM3/NIM4
  • Add support for temperature sensor starting with Rev C boards. (SWCHA-755)

Changes

• Chameleon General
  • Correct issue which could result in high incidence of compute loop time exceeded error with large number of sub-schemas/state machines/function blocks. (SWCHA-771)
  • Improved backplane startup for certain configurations.  (SWCHA-778)
• NIM2
  • Improved backplane initialization for issues encountered in certain configurations. (SWCHA-768)
  • Corrected issue which could result in NIM2 reporting a program ID via query hardware when program was not compatible with firmware. (SWCHA-776)
• NIM1, NIM3, FAC-2100
  
  • Added delay after enabling transmit and prior to transmission on network channel to account for component tolerances. (SWCHA-764, SWFACGII-86)
• AIN1
  • Correct issue which could lead to a value of 0 being returned by an analog input operator on initial compute loop. (SWCHA-775)
• Design Pad
  • Fix issue which could cause Design Pad to crash under certain conditions with structures libraries. (SWDPGIV-569)
  • Fix display issue which could occur when resizing certain columns. (SWDPGIV-577)
  • Changed help text on loop time operator.  (SWDPGIV-574)

DOWNLOAD LINKS

Design Pad G4

Design Pad G4 Release Package

This file contains the Fairmount Automation v4.6.46 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 v4.6.46 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 v4.6.46 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.*46*, 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 4.6.46, the update order does not matter.  Also note that Design Pad 4.6.46 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 v4.6.46 or higher.
2. Select 'Use Ethernet' from the Communications Menu.

To Update a Single NIM-2 from Design Pad G4 or Schema Viewer G4 v4.6.46:

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.4.6.46.$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 v4.6.46:

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.4.6.46.$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.4.6.46.$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_2100.4.6.46.$cc file when requested
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download

IR Detection Table 1.

NOTE: If the IR jumper feature is enabled through Design Pad, and board is a lower hardware revision, the firmware will report an error that it is unable to detect the presence of the jumper. *) Unreleased hardware revision.