A basic feature of the Irinos Tool is to support firmware updates for the Irinos System.
A firmware package is delivered by Messtechnik Sachs GmbH as particular type of file with the extension “SFF”. Firmware Files are issued box type specific. I.e. a firmware package developed for an incremental encoder box can only be used for this type of box.
While setting up the Irinos Tool, a file folder “Firmware” is created in the “source_XEn” directory. Firmware files need to be put here to be found by the Irinos Tool.
After the firmware files have been put there, the Irinos Tool needs to be restarted. During start-up the firmware files are read and evaluated.
If a new firmware package is found for a particular box type, the firmware version is highlighted in red in the Inventory window. Additionally, a hint is shown, indicating that a firmware update for those boxes is available. After selecting the appropriate box by clicking the table row, pressing the ‘Firmware Update’ button will open the firmware download window:
If more than one firmware package for a box type has been found, the Firmware Download window offers a selection table for the different firmware packages. Once the user has selected a package by clicking the appropriate entry, the download can be started by pressing the “Download” button:
If only one firmware package for the box type has been detected, the Firmware Download window automatically selects the package. The download can be started by pressing the “Download” button:
After all packages have been downloaded to the Irinos system, a system reset is required to activate the downloaded firmware. Pressing the “Reset” button sends an appropriate command to the Irinos system.
An internal algorithm ensures that slave boxes are reset first, before the master is resetting. This is necessary as the master always requires slaves to be operational, when returning from reset.