CPU module upgrade Cortex M7

This KB is ONLY applicable to CortexM7, (Systems code). For products with firmware older than Sfw198c000 refer to this application note. Updating or plans to upload bootloader, firmware, Web pages and may be necessary for the resolution of latent bugs and/or for the implementation of new features.

The modules allow the bootloader and firmware update (File Firmware.upl) in ways.

  • Ethernet connection (From firmware SFW198B000 or SFW210A000), recommended method.
  • USB port (if available) or serial RS232. If the firmware has been canceled (e.g. after insertion of the "Chip erase" jumper) its reloading can only be done from USB or serial COM0.

SAME70N21A processor, product code:
MPS054A**0, MPS054B**0, MPS056A**0, PCB137B**0, PCB137C**0, PCB141B**0

SAME70N21B processor, product code:
MPS054C**0, MPS056B**0, PCB137D**0, PCB141C**0

Update via Ethernet connection

To update via the Ethernet network, follow these steps:

FTP file transfer

Connect the module to be updated to the Ethernet network (via switch or directly to the PC using a network cable).

With an FTP client (eg Filezilla or Windows Explorer) connect to the module. The default login credentials are Login: Admin, Password: Admin and transfer the file Firmware.upl on the module (eg: in the root of disk C :).

FTP connection screenshot with CortexM7 for upgrades

update command

Connect to the module in Telnet (Port 23), (for example using Toolly menu Utilities->Terminal). Access credentials will be requested, (the default ones are Login: Admin, Password: Admin). Once logged in, if the PLC program is running, it must be stopped with the command: PLCCommand -stop

Upgrade with the command: Update X:/mypath/Firmware.upl where is it "X:/mypath/"Is the directory where the file was downloaded"Firmware.upl" (example Update C:/Firmware.upl). As you can see from the screenshot, the system performs a series of compatibility checks on the upl. Check what this procedure indicates and type “Y” to continue updating the system, updating, if necessary, both the bootloader and the firmware.

Once the update is complete, to make it operational you need to restart the system with the command: Reboot. After a few seconds necessary for cancellations and writings, the module will go into run.

Screenshot Toolly upgrade system Cortex M7
WARNING: COMPATIBILITY PROBLEM!

The firmware version is subject to upgrades which are divided into:

Minor upgrade: They maintain full compatibility with previous versions, recognizable by the change in version number (Sfwxxxa000 -> Sfwxxxa100).
Major upgrade: They can create compatibility problems with previous versions, recognizable by the letter change in the version (Sfwxxxa000 -> Sfwxxxb000).

In case of update from ethernet connection on command Update if you are performing a major upgrade a warning message may appear:

--------------------------------------------------
WARNING: COMPATIBILITY PROBLEM!
Take a look to the upgrade procedure on knowledge base at www.elsist.biz.
...
Please avoid to power off device during update.
Do you want to procede (Y,n)?

Switching to a later version is always possible, so you can safely proceed. When switching to a previous version, pay attention to the differences before proceeding.

SFW198A: First version (Obsolete).
SFW198B: Version with bootloader Sfw200a000 (Obsolete) (see Pck043).

Later versions are released in one package and come with 2 part numbers based on the supported microcontroller.

SAME70N21ASAME70N21BDescription
PCK050A SFW198CPCK053A SFW210AXTarget12 architecture.
Once the new file system (FAT) has been implemented, the old file system is no longer recognized. Before performing the upgrade, save all the files present.
PCK051A SFW198DXUnified architecture.
Full compatibility with the XTarget version, you can switch from one to the other without problems.
PCK051B SFW198EPCK054A SFW210BXUnified architecture.
Changed user management, by downgrading to previous versions the defined users will be lost and 3 standard users will be created Guest, User, Admin.
PCK051C SFW198FPCK054B SFW210CXUnified architecture.
Implemented wear leveling on disk C. If the disk is formatted with the wear leveling option, it will no longer be recognized in the event of a downgrade. Before downgrading, save all the files present, then reformat the disk by copying all the files.
Update from SFW198A, first version (Obsolete).

The SFW198A version of the operating system does not manage the FAT file system, so there were 3 predefined folders with a finite number of manageable files and the space for each file was predetermined, so it is certainly not possible to transfer the Firmware.upl file. So the only way to update systems is by using serial or USB port update as stated in this article.

The new operating system will use the FAT file system, so after the upgrade you will have to format the C: and D: disks (if present) with the loss of the data contained. So if you have sensitive data you need to save it before performing the upgrade. After the update you may lose the IP address setting, use the procedure Discovery di Toolly to set the new address.

Update via serial port or USB

Once the USB cable has been connected between the module and the PC, a driver will be installed on the PC which will make an additional COM available.

Once the USB cable has been connected between the module and the PC, a driver will be installed on the PC which will make an additional COM available. If the RS232 connection is used, to connect the module to the PC using the serial port, use the code cable CBL057 ** 00 with the accessory code CBL054 * 000). If the PC does not have a serial port, you can use one of our own USB / Serial converters. If you do not have the cable, you can build it using an RJ45 connector and a DB9 Female connector, following the diagram on the side.

Using Toolly choose from the menu Devices->FirmwareUpdater setting the correct device, the RS232 COM or the added USB COM and the Firmware.upl downloaded and unpacked earlier. to press Send and follow what appears in the window which provides for the deletion of the micro flash using the indicated "Chip erase" jumper. At the end of the deletion, press the button again Send. After loading, restart the module which will be ready.

Serial cable wiring diagram

Final check

If in the release notes, checking between the changes implemented between the previous firmware and the new one, there were some that concern the file system, it is advisable to connect with Toolly and, after logging in, send a command Format C: and / or Format D:. Then Cfgcommit -d to reset everything to default. Now the form is updated, remember to perform web page upgrades.

Upgrade web pages

To upgrade, connect the module to be upgraded to the Ethernet network (via switch or directly to the PC using a network cable). Transfer the page files via FTP to the module, using any FTP client. We recommend using the Windows Explorer command Windows.

To open Risorse del computer (o Computer in Windows 7), in the address bar type: ftp://Username:Password@indirizzo IP, land default credentials are Admin:Admin e the default IP address is 192.168.0.122 (Example ftp://Admin:[email protected]). The list of files / folders present in the system will appear, delete the folder C:/Web with all its contents and replace it with the one present in the upgrade.

This procedure can also be used for loading web pages built by the Customer.

FTP access screenshot from Windows Explorer

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