Upgrading the Internal Software
Each of the components of the Super µController has its own microprocessor that can be programmed in the field. The following notes detail the process necessary to install new software into each unit.
Main Controller
The Main Controller is designed around a Rabbit2000 microprocessor board as shown in close-up below:
Important Note: in dry climates, static electricity can be very common. Be very careful to ground yourself prior to handling any components of the system because one static discharge can damage or destroy the delicate electronic components of the system.
Rabbit Field Utility and Program File
First, you must download the necessary upgrade files. First, there is the Rabbit Field Utility. Download this here:
Note that this is a ZIP file. You must have an unzip utility on your computer in order to install these files. You can find the latest version of WinZip here: http://www.winzip.com/.
You can download a free, evaluation version of WinZip here: http://download.com.com/3405-20-960683.html
Next, you will need the file associated with the Super µController: SUPERUC.bin
Once you have downloaded the files, you will need to run WinZip to install them. Create a directory that is easy to remember and place all the files above in it.
Setting up the hardware
Now, to prepare for programming, plug the blue 9-pin female connector of the Rabbit programming cable into an available serial port on your computer.
Next, after turning off the power and unplugging the Super µController main control box, remove the four screws that hold the main cover on the case and carefully remove the top cover. Note that the wires leading to the fan will be connected. Please be careful not to harm these wires.
Locate the System Controller (click for a picture of the inside of the box). On this is the Rabbit2000 board which is easily identified.
Again, beware of static discharge. Touch a grounded metal object prior to touching anything inside the box.
Connect the other end of the Rabbit programming cable to the Rabbit board using the connector labeled "prog" as shown in the picture above.
Refer to the above picture for orientation details. Note that the red strip on the cable designates pin 1, which must face the center of the board. Also be very careful to properly align the connector with the pins as it is easy to mis-align the connector.
Once the cable is connected, reconnect the main power cord and turn the unit on. (Be very careful now because there is live voltage inside the box!)
Using the Rabbit Field Utility
Go to the location where you installed the RFU and Super µController files and double-click on the RFU.EXE. This will launch the Rabbit Field Utility and should bring up a window as shown below:
Next, click on the "setup" menu and select "communications. This will bring up the following window:
Select the options as shown above, selecting the serial port you actually plugged the programming cable into. When you are done selecting the options, click "ok" to accept the changes.
Next, go to the "setup" manu and select "file locations", bringing up the window below:
Assuming that you installed all the files in the directory "C:\rabbit", you would enter the lines as shown above. Alternatively, use the "..." buttons to navigate to the directory and select the three files as shown above. Click "ok" to accept these settings.
Now go to the "file" menu and select "Load Flash Image". This will bring up the following dialog box:
Again, replace "C:\rabbit" with the directory where you placed all the downloaded files. Select the "SUPERUC.bin" file to load.
When you press "ok", the Rabbit Field Utility will attempt to load all the files you specify and program the system controller. If you get any error messages about not being able to locate any of the files, then go back and reselect the files using the "..." button in each of the dialogs.
If things are working properly, the RFU should show a message saying "sending coldloader". However, if it stops there then displays "No Rabbit Processor Detected", then there's a problem.
a) the programming cable is plugged into a different serial port
than the one you selected.
b) the programming cable is incorrectly plugged into the Rabbit card.
c) the power of the control box is off.
d) the Rabbit programming cable is defective
e) the Rabbit board is defective
Most likely, you simply selected the wrong serial port. Try selecting a different serial port in the "communications" window. Also, double check the connection of the programming cable on the Rabbit board. You may also wish to try turning the box off, wait 10 seconds then turn it back on.
Now, try reloading the flash image. If this does not work, then again check the cable. Make sure it is firmly inserted in the computer's serial port and that it is fully installed on the Rabbit card.
Hopefully, all will go well and it will give you a status display indicating the the Rabbit is being reprogrammed. It will take about 30 seconds to load all the new code to the processor.
When done, simply turn the box off, remove the cable and put it back together. When you turn the box back on, the new software will run.
New Features in the software compared to that shipped with Dr. Maeda's system:
Long motor moves handled properly - this fixes a bug in the initial software which prevented moves of greater than 65535 micro-steps. This would not affect the filter wheel operation, but it would prevent dropping the objective or raising the condenser to a position more than about 2000 microns from the origin.
System Reset at powerup - you can now force the controller to reset all parameters to factory defaults by pressing the "set to 0" button several times immediately after powering up. This must be done within about 1/2 second from turning the power on, as the button check is only done during the initialization sequence.
Links:
Cable Details Upgrading the Internal Software Release Notes
Inside the main control unit Configuring a Motor Controller
Troubleshooting Bad Switches More Pictures