---------------------------------------------------- -- Firmware Changes between Ver1.71 and Ver1.73 -- ---------------------------------------------------- The Version 1.73 image is an "intermediate" release of the Dalf Firmware and has two relatively minor changes from the earlier version 1.71 release: One of these is a bugfix which potentially could affect users of the API Interface (not TE). The bug occurs if there is a communication protocol error (ie; the bug involves error handling for a protocol violation). The second change provides a new feature that allows the board to be placed in boot mode programmatically (an alternative to the use of the PGM switch). ================================================================================ Issue: RS232 COMM Bug Description: Under certain conditions the communications interface can "lock up" requiring a board reset to restore communication. The error handler for bad RS232 data (protocol error) fails to re-enable communication interrupts. Impact: The primary impact is likely to be on those using the API Interface in a noisy communication environment. ================================================================================ Issue: Programmatic Boot Mode Request (new feature) Description: The change allows the Dalf Board to be programmatically placed in boot mode after a reset. With this change, Dalf Boards that are installed in enclosures may be upgraded without opening up the enclosure to access the PGM switch. The implementation uses the last byte of the internal EEPROM (at address 0x03FF) as an additional flag to tell the Dalf firmware whether or not to perform a normal power up or to enter boot mode. With this change, either the PGM switch or the last byte of the EEPROM can be used to request boot mode operation (*). Impact: None (*) Note: For those of you who are upgrading to Version 1.73 from an earlier version using the P1618QP boot loader application, you will initially use the PGM switch to place the Dalf Board in boot loader mode as usual. Flashing the Version 1.73 code image will not affect the contents of your internal EEPROM, so depending on the existing value at 0x03FF, the first time power up after flashing may require an additional reset in order to turn off the EEPROM flag (write 0x00 to 0x03FF) and allow normal power up. ================================================================================ The development files on the Version 1.73 CD are compatible with these versions of the Microchip Tool Suite: Microchip tools +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Tool Ver Description | | -------- ----- ---------------------------------------- | | MPLAB IDE 8.00 Integrated Development Environment | | MCC18 3.10 C Compiler for the PIC18F device family | | MPASM 5.10 Assembler | | MPLINK 4.10 Linker | | MPLIB 4.10 Librarian | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Regards, http://www.embeddedelectronics.net/