Firmware

Download Firmware Files

This page describes how to upgrade the device firmware.

Firmware versioning & naming

The device firmware versioning is inspired by the semantic versioning system.

Each firmware is assigned three two digit numbers: MAJOR, MINOR, PATCH:

  • MAJOR: Incompatible changes (e.g. requires major changes to the Configuration File)

  • MINOR: New backwards-compatible functionality (e.g. new fields in the Configuration File)

  • PATCH: Backwards-compatible bug fixes (e.g. no changes to the Configuration File)

The firmware files available for download are zipped with naming as follows:

firmware-[MAJOR].[MINOR].[PATCH].zip

Example:

firmware-01.02.03.zip

Firmware Update

The device supports in-the-field firmware updates.

Note

The firmware update process is power safe (tolerates power failures). However, it is recommended to ensure that the process completes

Update process

The firmware update process begins when the device is powered and has been prepared with a new Firmware File:

  1. Power is applied to device

  2. The green LED comes on (can take a few seconds)

  3. If the firmware is valid, the green LED blinks 5 times, else the red LED blinks 5 times

  4. The green LED remains solid while the firmware is updated (~30 sec)

  5. If the update is successful, the green LED blinks 5 times, else the red LED blinks 5 times

  6. The updated firmware is started and the device is ready for logging

  7. If any external modules need to be updated, then these updates are applied now (see Update of external modules)

Note

The green LED comes on later than usual when a firmware update is initiated

Note

The device automatically removes any Firmware Files when the update has completed. Firmware Files should never be manually deleted during the update process.

Update of external modules

External modules are updated while the device is (partly) operational. Updating external modules can take from a few minutes and up to 1 hour. If power is lost during update of external modules, the update resumes next time the device powers on.

Configuration update

If a device is updated to a firmware version with a different MAJOR or MINOR number, then the Configuration File also needs to be updated (i.e. with an updated name and structure matching the new firmware). The Configuration File is named as described in the Configuration section. A default Configuration File and corresponding Rule Schema are contained in the firmware-package (zip).

To modify an existing Configuration File, it can be useful to load the new Rule Schema in an editor together with the old Configuration File. After making the necessary updates, save the modified Configuration File with a name matching the new version.

Note

The firmware can be updated without providing a new compatible Configuration File. In this case, the device creates a default Configuration File on the SD-card

Update from SD-card

The firmware can be updated by placing a Firmware File on the SD-card and powering the device:

  1. Download the firmware zip (Firmware File + Configuration File + Rule Schema)

  2. Place the firmware.bin file on the SD-card (root directory)

  3. If MAJOR/MINOR is different, update the Configuration File and place it on the SD-card

  4. Power on the device and wait for the update process to complete

Note

An incompatible firmware image is deleted and does not break the device

Example: Current firmware: 01.01.01, new firmware: 01.01.02

  1. Download firmware-01.01.02.zip and unzip it

  2. Copy firmware.bin to the SD-card

  3. The MAJOR and MINOR versions are unchanged (no need to update the Configuration File)

  4. Power on the device and wait for the update process to complete

Example: Current firmware: 01.01.01, new firmware: 01.02.01

  1. Download firmware-01.02.01.zip and unzip it

  2. Copy firmware.bin to the SD-card

  3. Update the Configuration File (or use the default created by the firmware update)

  4. Power on the device and wait for the update process to complete