CIRCUITWERKES: Sicon-8 Firmware Updates

Upgrade Proceedure:

READ THE ENTIRE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING. These proceedures can change, so even if you have done upgrades before, please read this section again to make sure nothing is different.

Start by extracting the Sicontroller setup file and firmware file from the zip archive that you downloaded. These should be placed in a folder that you can find, possibly on the desktop or "my documents".

Before starting, you will need to save and/or export all current configuration data from your Sicon-8 because your unit will lose the custom programming during the upgrade process. You will also need to download and/or save any event schedules that you have previously uploaded to your Sicon-8.

After downloading / saving your current configuration data we also highly suggest using the export function (found in the "Site" drop down menu) of the Sicontroller software to make a safe backup copy of your configuration data. We suggest that you copy the exported file to a flash drive or e-mail it to yourself for safe-keeping. If you use an event schedule, this should be exported seperately for uploading later.

Install the new Sicontroller software. Next, use the new Sicontroller software's "Upgrade Firmware" function, found in the "Site" menu to update your Sicon-8's firmware to the latest version. You will need to select the com port that Windows is currently using to communicate with your Sicon-8 and set the hardware access code of your Sicon-8. To verify that this is all set correctly, click the button to "Download FW version" and verify that the software finds your unit's data. If it fails, you will get an error message that asks if you want to enter the "recovery mode". You should answer 'no' unless you have a Sicon-8 that was "Bricked" during a previous upgrade attempt. Once you have found the current firmware version, click the "Load SFF file" button. The software will let you browse for the file and then check it for errors. Once this has been done, a new button will appear that lets you flash the new firmware to the Sicon-8.

IMPORTANT: After upgrading, you must reset your Sicon-8 to factory defaults otherwise your Sicon-8 may read invalid data and malfunction. When you reset your Sicon-8, your configuration data on the hardware will be destroyed. To reset the data, power down the Sicon-8 and hold the remote/local button upon powering back up until you see the two LEDs (control and unlocked) on the front panel start to blink. They should blink for at least 15 seconds. If shorter than 15 seconds, the unit is not reset. Next, you will need to re-upload your settings. To avoid setting your unit up from scratch, be sure to save your configuration data in the software, before starting the upgrade process. We also advise that you use the export function of the software to make a backup copy of your site data. You may need to recalibrate your meters after a reset.

After Resetting your Sicon-8 to Defaults:

Resetting the Sicon-8 will either erase or disable most user-defined programming that was in the Sicon-8. All hardware access codes are reset to null except the super-admin password that is reset to 6736# for dial-up & 12345678 for data. Your Sicontroller software will not connect to the hardware until you, temporarily, change your super administrator access code, in the software's configuration menu to 12345678. Once connected, you can reprogram your own access code and re-upload it, then all codes to the Sicon-8 hardware. Stored words or sounds are not erased when the Sicon-8 is reset. They are overwritten only when re-recorded and therefore, cannot be restored to factory defaults. They can only be re-recorded or re-uploaded, if desired.

Uploading Your Configuration Data After a Reset:

Items that will need to be restored or reprogrammed after the upgrade are:

1. Access Codes (both telephone and serial will require reprogramming)
2. Configuration data
3. Meter calibrations may have to be redone
4. Event Schedules must be re-uploaded.

5. The internal clock should maintain its time, but should be checked.

Note: Event schedules, if any are used, must be re-uploaded after the upgrade. Events are saved/exported using the event scheduler and are not part of the normal configuration saves. The event scheduler is used to reboot the Web server periodically. We have found that refreshing the Web server once or twice a day helps it stay connected to some networks. We strognly suggest that you continue to reboot the Web server, periodically, using the event scheduler. A sample schedule be can be downloaded (RIGHT CLICK ONLY) at:

http://www.broadcastboxes.com/software/Sicontroller/Sample_Web_server_reset_Event_Scheduler_File.txt

That completes the upgrade proceedures, but please read the rest of the page before upgrading your Sicon-8, especialy if the firmware is older than v1.5x.

GENERAL NOTES:

Upgrading is optional. If your Sicon-8 is working as you like it, you are not required to upgrade it. There are some cases where bugs were discovered. If your Sicon-8 has a known bug, then you should consider upgrading even if it appears to be working fine right now.

The main firmware has to be upgraded in conjunction with your Web Server and the Sicontroller software.

Any Sicon-8 made in 2006 and later can be upgraded to the current version, however, the path to achieve the upgrade depends upon which version of fimrware is currently installed and which version of the Web server, if any, is also installed. To save you from having to read all of the conditions, here are a couple of guidelines to help you decide how to upgrade:

1. If your Sicon-8 has a Web server and the Web server's firmware is 1.4 or earlier, you should contact us about swapping hardware instead of upgrading only the main firmware.

2. If your main firmware is version 1.37 or earlier, you will benefit from our chip swap program because the on-chip flash updater has been improved by making it much more crash-proof.

Except for the most recent units, most users fit into one of the first two catagories. We encourage those who wish to upgrade to contact us to setup a hardware swap for your unit. If your main firmware is v1.38, or newer, and you wish to upgrade, then click here.

There are some limited upgrades that can be made without hardware swapping. For instance, main FW v1.34 can, generally, be upgraded safely to v1.36. If you want to upgrade without exchanging hardware, then please read the entire rest of this page before proceeding.

IMPORTANT: Effective immediately, we recommend that users of firmware older than v1.38 stop upgrading via the firmware flash option using the Sicontroller software, especially if you use a USB-Serial adaptor cable. If your upgrade is interrupted, or if there is a data error, a good chance exists that the chip will stop working and it will have to be reprogrammed at the factory to restore operations. The risk is low, but the consequence could be high in the form of a non-functional Sicon-8 until new firmware is installed. Since most Sicon-8s are used in a critical capacity, you should only upgrade if you can afford to be without the Sicon-8 for a few days in the event of an upgrade failure. As of firmware version 1.38, this vulnerability has been corrected. Those that would like to upgrade to the new firmware with the improved flash utility, can request a free upgrade by either calling or e-mailing us. Upgrading requires opening the top of the case and swapping socketed parts and returning the old parts to us.

Please read the entire contents of the page before attempting any upgrades. Failure to do so can cause your Sicon-8 to stop operating or may cause parts of your Sicon-8, like the Web server, to stop functioning correctly.

Main firmware, Web servers and software are, generally, upgraded together. Mixing versions can result in malfunctions under some conditions and should not be done. This is especially true for main firmware and software. Always use the software version that is approved for your firmware.

Upgrading the main firmware can cause older Web servers to stop working.

Web Servers cannot be field upgraded via a flash file. They can be upgraded by trading in older versions for newer ones. The hardware is the same, but the newer ones have different programming to match the latest main firnware. This requires a hardware swap. We suggest contacting us for a chip swap.

Critical note for firmware version 1.22/1.23 users: If your Sicon-8 originally shipped with firmware version 1.22 or 1.23, it requires a chip swap, which is a free upgrade. Field upgrading of v1.22 or 1.23 firmware via the Sicontroller software may result in an unrecoverable lockup and should not be attempted unless you can be without your Sicon-8 while a new chip is mailed to you. Check your firmware via the "about" menu of the Sicontroller software's "help" section, or by dialing DTMF 96 while connected via telephone. If your Sicon-8 reports version 1.22 or 1.23, and you want to try the upgrade, you should first remove the top cover of your Sicon-8 and look at the hand written number on top of the 40 pin main CPU chip. If that number is 1.22 or 1.23, then the upgrade must be done via chip swap. If your firmware number is not 1.22 or 1.23, or if you have previously upgraded your firmware sucessfully, then it should be safe to try the upgrade. If you require a chip-swap, you can request a new chip and then return your old one to us after installing the new one.

Caveats:

We recommend against trying to perform any firmware upgrade via any Serial-to-Ethernet converters. We suggest that you perform the upgrade only when you can achieve a direct serial connection to the Sicon-8.

For proper functioning, your Sicon-8 will be reset to factory defaults after the upgrade. Before doing starting the upgrade, we suggest using your existing software to export your site files so that your operating parameters can be saved and easily re-uploaded after the upgrade.

Does the unit need an upgrade?

The Sicontroller software includes the ability to update the Sicon-8's firmware when new features are added or when bugs are discovered. Before upgrading, you should verify that your firmware is older than the upgrade. You can check your firmware revision via DTMF command 96 which will cause the Sicon-8 to speak its version number. From the software, you can click on the "Help" menu and then the "About" button to read the current firmware revision number.

As stated above, before starting a firmware update, It is always advisable to first download the current parameters from your Sicon-8 and store them as an export file from the Sicontroller software in case something happens during the update process that requires a reset of your Sicon-8 hardware.