Technical Note TN133 Issue:2 L1255-4149 Firmware And FPGA Configuration Upgrade IMPORTANT NOTE: When using USB to Serial converters and upgrading the Firmware there is a danger of early L1255s becoming unresponsive. It is not advised to upgrade L1255s in this way when upgrading in preparation for a forthcoming broadcast. Please follow the instructions carefully and contact link if you are unsure of how to carry out the upgrade.
Checking Firmware Version There are two ways of checking the firmware version on the L1255-4149. If the L1255-4149 is connected to a receiver it is possible to view the version by looking under status in the CCU menu on the receiver front panel. Alternatively it is possible to view the firmware by connecting into the L1255-4149 using a serial terminal program such as Hyperterminal or TeraTerm. Connect a 9-way null modem cable between the OCP connector on the L1255-4149 and a COM port of a PC. Set you serial terminal program to connect the COM port at 9600Baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. On power-up of the L1255-4149 type the characters L,R,L,[esc] (lowercase) into the terminal program to enter the serial interface. Note: When using a USB to serial converter it is necessary not to have no flow control when first connecting to the L1255. Rear Panel of the L1255-4149 On typing LRL[esc] (lowercase) you will be presented with the following in the terminal window:- Output of terminal on entering the serial interface In this case the firmware is at version 14 and the FPGA configuration present in Bank 3.
Upgrading Firmware In order to upgrade the firmware firstly connect into the serial terminal (see checking firmware version section). On connection press h to bring up the list of commands. List of commands Press s to download the firmware and then y to confirm. The following will be displayed:- Set the COM port parameters as stated in the terminal window. For TeraTerm go to Setup> Serial Port. Note: When using a USB to serial converter adjust the line delay to 100ms/line. This will be advised on the terminal interface for L1255s purchased after the 1 st May 2010.
Go to file and send selecting the upgrade file kernel_x.xx_serd.hex When the file is sending the serial terminal will display the progress.
Once the firmware has loaded it will give an instruction to power down. Cycle the power and as before type in the keys L,R,L, [esc] to connect to the serial console. The firmware version number matches that of the upgrade file. Upgrading the FPGA Configuration The FPGA upgrade is a similar procedure to the firmware upgrade. Once again press h to view all options then press 'e' to erase all the fpga proms. Press 'y' to confirm. Now press 'h' again followed by 'd' to download FPGA code. Press 'y' to confirm. With XON/OFF flow control still set and a delay of 100ms/line send the file al1255410490_vx_xr.mot. All FPGA upgrade files are named al1255410490_vx_xr.mot. Note: When using a USB to serial converter adjust the line delay to 100ms/line. This will be advised on the terminal interface for L1255s purchased after the 1 st May 2010. On completion the serial terminal will display the following:-
Power cycle the L1255-4149. It is now completely upgraded and ready for use.
Upgrading the Sony Processor Configuration The Sony processor firmware can be upgraded in a similar fashion to the other firmware but with some important differences. Connect to the L1255-4149 to bring up the following window. Press h to see a list of available commands. Note option a Download Sony Processor Firmware. Press a. The following results will be shown
Once this window has visible go to set up>serial port. Set the Transmit delay to 10msec/char and click ok. Now select file>send file
Make absolutely sure that the Binary option is selected. The file will have the name format CL132420vX_X_serial_dload.BIN Once the file has downloaded wait until the Programming complete message is received. This will take a few seconds. Now repower the L1255-4149.