Software Release Notes - 4.5 Patch 3 (v4.5.265)

Release Date

July 13, 2012

Introduction

This software release note describes Release 4.5 Patch 3 of the Design Pad G4 Software Suite including Design Pad G4, Schema Viewer G4, associated tools, and device firmware. This patch includes a limited number of bug fixes and a new image to downgrade a NIM2 from 4.5.264 and above to 4.5.230. See below for details.

DOWNLOAD LINKS

Design Pad G4

Design Pad G4 Release Package

This file contains the Fairmount Automation v4.5.265 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 v4.5.265 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 v4.5.265 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 4.5 patch 2 or 4.5 patch 3.  This especially impacts the NIM2 firmware when upgrading from older releases. 
4. 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(Patch 2) or 4.5.265(Patch 3) 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.
      1. After you receive the license file, paste 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' subdirectory.
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.
      1. After you receive the license file, paste it into your \Windows or \Program Files\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 next. 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.

Start Design Pad or Schema Viewer v4.5.265 or higher.
Select 'Use Ethernet' from the Communications Menu.

To Update a Single NIM-2 from Design Pad G4 or Schema Viewer G4 v4.5.265:

a. Open the Workspace and HWI associated with the NIM-2 to update.
b. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
c. When prompted, select the NIM2L.4.5.265.$cc file
d. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download

To Update Multiple NIM-2s from Design Pad G4 or Schema Viewer G4 v4.5.265:

a. Open the Workspace associated with the NIM-2 to update.
b. Right-click on the word 'Workspace' in the Workspace window and select Update Firmware (All Ethernet Hardware) from the Communications sub-menu.
c. Press the 'Browse' button and select the NIM2L.4.5.265.$cc file
d. Select the NIM-2s to update in the 'Select Ethernet Hardware' window.
e. Press the 'Upload' button to start the update process.

Non-NIM-2 Modules:

a. Remove any NIM-2 active boards from the node
b. Start Design Pad or Schema Viewer
c. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
d. Align the IR wand to the right-most module
e. Select the Chameleon.4.5.265.$cc file when requested
f. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download
g. Restore any NIM-2 active boards back into the node

FAC-2100 Installation

a. Start Design Pad or Schema Viewer
b. Attach the serial cable from the computer to the COM1 port on the controller
c. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
d. Select the FAC_2100.4.5.265.$cc file when requested
e. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download

Smart Valve Installation

1. Power should not be removed during the firmware update process or the device may need to be returned to the factory.
2. As always, customers should ensure the updated software meets their requirements in a test environment prior to deploying in a production environment.

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 v4.5.265 or higher.
3. Select 'Use Ethernet' from the Communications Menu.

To Update a Single Smart Valves:

      a. Open the Workspace and HWI associated with the Smart Valve to update.
      b. Choose 'Firmware Update' from the Communications Menu
      c. Press the 'Browse' button and select the Smartvalve.4.5.265.$cc file
      d. Keep 'Preserve network settings after reboot' checked.
      e. Press the Upload button to start the update process.

To Update Multiple Smart Valves:

      a. Open the Workspace associated with the Smart Valves to update.
      b. Right-click on the word 'Workspace' in the Workspace window and select Update Firmware (All Ethernet Hardware) from the Communications sub-menu.
      c. Press the 'Browse' button and select the Smartvalve.4.5.265.$cc file
      d. Select the Smart Valves to update in the 'Select Ethernet Hardware' window.
      e. Keep 'Preserve network settings after reboot' checked.
      f. 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.4.5.265.$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.

NEW FEATURES, ENHANCEMENTS, AND CHANGES

New Features

• 4.5.265 includes a bin file to downgrade a NIM2 in the field from 4.5.264 and above to 4.5.230. (NIM2.4.5.230_downgrader.bin) (SWDPGIV-469)

Enhancements

• None

Changes

Chameleon - General

• Resolved an issue where certain fluorescent lights and other IR light sources could cause the software thread monitor to detect a false positive failure of the IR communications thread and initiate a reboot of the module. (SWCHA-660 and SWCHA-648)
• Resolved issue where software thread monitor on node master could reboot entire node instead of master module. (SWCHA-650)
• Corrected issue on AIN1 which would not allow schema to report open thermocouple. (SWCHA-569)

NIM-2

• Corrected issue where applying a constant true to a data recorder operator reset input could cause the software thread monitor to reboot the module. (NIMIIL-317, SWCHA-655)
• Corrected issue that caused garbled message to be written to logs when an invalid daughterboard id was encountered. (NIMIIL-318)

Design Pad and Schema Viewer

• Corrected inconsistencies on rear panel display during simulation of dynamic hardware. (SWDPGIV-415)
• Corrected lists returned by Ethernet mass query and update functions which could include external and non-Ethernet devices.(SWDPGIV-468)
• Corrected some operator bitmaps in property dialogs. (SWDPGIV-470)