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Tech Notes

Instructions on Using the WINDOWS M5UPDATE for
Updating the Software in the M5 Class Modem

Overview:

The M5 Class modems include the PSM-4900, PSM-4900H, PSM-4900L, ASM4800, M5000, M5000HL, SMR5000, SMR5000HL and several other private label model numbers of satellite modems, all manufactured by Datum Systems, Inc. These Modems all use the same base software. However, the model number, serial numbers, calibration and current configuration are all stored in non-volatile memory and are not affected by a software update.

Note: The Text and Pictures below use the software version of 0.90 as an example. The actual version will be the latest available, for example 0.90.

Application Specific Software:

The latest software release will come in one of several variations for specific applications. The application is determined by the last 3 digits in the software version code. The code version follows a format of "Mxxxxyyy" where "xxxx" defines the software revision and "yyy" defines the application version. The known variations to date is for specific application versions are: 

  • yyy=000 M5 modem with 70 MHz transmit and receive IF. 
  • yyy=001 M5 modem with 140 MHz transmit and receive IF.
  • yyy=002 M5 70 MHz IF modem with Sigtek burst transmit firmware.
  • yyy=003 M5 140 MHz IF modem with Sigtek burst transmit firmware.
     
  • yyy=020 M5 "Hybrid" modem (70 MHz transmit, L-Band Receive).
  • yyy=021 M5 "Hybrid" modem with 140 MHz transmit IF.
  • yyy=022 M5 "Hybrid" modem 70 MHz transmit, with Sigtek burst transmit firmware.
  • yyy=023 M5 "Hybrid" modem 140 MHz transmit, with Sigtek burst transmit firmware.
     
  • yyy=040 M5 L-Band modem (L-Band Transmit and Receive).
  • yyy=041 M5 L-Band modem (L-Band Transmit and Receive) with Sigtek burst transmit firmware.
  • yyy=042, 043 Not used

The modem's current code version can be read from the from panel in the Unit Status column. The modem will refuse to load a code version not suited for it. The base code set is the "000" set.

NOTE: The IF frequency that a unit operates at is determined by hardware only. DO NOT ATTEMPT to load Hybrid or L-Band software into a standard modem. It will not change the modem into another type. For safety the unit is set to not accept incompatible software, so it will reject an attempt to load the incorrect version.

The base software is held in "Flash" memory and can be updated using an IBM "PC" type computer with a special loader program (supplied) designed to talk to the modem via the computer's serial port connected to the modem's remote control port.

The program which runs on the PC and performs the loading of new software into the modem is called "M5UPDATE.EXE". The new software to be loaded into the modem is called "Mxxxxyyy.BIN" where the xxxx is a code revision and the yyy is the unit specific version of the software.

It is very important that the procedure for uploading the new programming into the modem be followed exactly. In the first version of software supplied with the modems (Revisions 0.11 and 0.12) several parts of the modems loader program itself had to be changed to insure more reliable transfers in following revisions. This procedure is most critical, because an interruption in power during the 10 to 20 seconds that this portion of the load is being performed could possibly result in loss of the modems base information. In that event the only recourse is to send the modem back to Datum Systems for re-installation of software and calibration. Subsequent uploads do not require this step and should be extremely safe.

Before You Start - Requirements

You need the following:

  • A PC type computer with a serial port available, The Windows program M5UPDATE.EXE will work with USB to Serial adaptors so it will work on laptop computers that do not have built in serial ports provided that a USB to serial adapter is used.
  • Either DOS or Windows (WIN3.1, 95, 98, 2000 or XP) operating system installed and running.
  • A good quality serial cable to go between the computer serial port and the remote control port of the modem. On virtually all computers these days this will be a DB9, Male to Female cable. The cable has a 1 to 1 connection between pins, and is NOT a null modem type serial cable. If your computer has a DB25 connector then you will require either an adaptor to DB9 or a DB25 to DB9 cable. The modem connection is to the rear panel "Control" port, J6.
  • The modem itself.

To perform an update follow the steps below exactly.

  1. Connect the PC type computer and the M5 Class modem via a male to female serial cable. Normally this is a 9 pin connector on both ends, one male and the other female. The cable has a 1 to 1 connection between pins, and is NOT a null modem type serial cable. If your computer has a DB25 connector then you will require either an adaptor to DB9 or a DB25 to DB9 cable. The modem connection is to the rear panel "Control" port, J6.
     
  2. Create a folder (directory) on the PC named "M5Update".
     
  3. If you are reading this from the documentation CD then copy the files from the CD directory "M5 Modem Firmware" to the M5Update directory/folder. The minimum files required are: "M5UPDATE.EXE", "M5VB40032.DLL”, “MSCOMM32.OCX”  and “M5UPDATE.HLP”.

     If you are on the web or an email then download or copy the appropriate "BIN" file to the M5Update directory. Then use an Unzip program to extract the files into M5Update directory. Windows XP has a built in compressed file facility that you would copy the files from.

    You may also go to the web site to see if a later firmware version is available where you would downloaded the web file and un-zip using pkunzip or winzip into the M5Update directory/folder.
     
  4. In Windows use the "My Computer" desktop icon to go the "M5Update" directory created above.  Check that the : "M5UPDATE.EXE", "M5VB40032.DLL”, “MSCOMM32.OCX”, “M5UPDATE. and "Mxxxxyyy.BIN" files are present in this directory. "xxxx" represents the software revision of the binary image file. This shows version 0.90 in this case and the bin file is named "M0090000.bin". The binary file for the Hybrid modem is "M0090020.bin" and for the L-Band is "M0090040.bin
  1. In windows double click on the "M5Update.EXE" icon.

Note: There is a HELP file, placing the mouse over an area and right clicking will call up the appropriate help information.


  1. Click on “Automatic Find Modem”.    The program will scan the serial ports, locate which one has the modem attached.    It will then check the existing firmware in the modem and compare it with the version in the M5UPDATE directory.    If it finds a later version, it will display that.


Note: If there is no communications link between the PC and modem the loader program will prompt with:

     "No Modems connected.   Please connect a modem.”     “Verify modem is set for RS232 and baud rate is set for 9600”
         
You should determine the reason for the failure. The program will handle either VT100 or BINARY PACKET modes, so the likely cause is either a bad serial cable connection, or the modem is set to a different baud rate.   Even if the modem was set for updating using the front panel and the UPDATE ROM menu the way the old DOS M5LOADER program required, the windows program will deal with it.   So, in most configurations, the program should detect and update the modem easily.

NOTE:       Unlike the original DOS version, the Windows program automatically selects the correct BIN file so even if there are multiple versions in the directory, it will choose the latest rev of the correct version.
 
 

  1. Click on “Enter to Begin Update” to actually update the modem with the latest version. The process will take 4 to 6 minutes depending on the actions required and will show the progress on the Program window. Do NOT interrupt the process! It seems to take approximately 4 to 6 minutes in Windows 2000 and somewhat longer in Windows XP.

    Note: The M5UPDATE program will disable the most of it’s controls while updating.   This is to avoid the chance of accidentally interrupting the Update.    When the Update is finished, the program will return to normal.
     
    After a few moments the display will change to say "Loading Flash   Please Wait...." The windows box shows the progress as number of bytes loaded into the modem. When finished the modem will restart itself.

    Note: If there is no communications link between the PC and modem the loader program will prompt with:

         "ERROR, SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS FAILED, Try Again (Y/N)?"
             
    Once the program has detected the modem, this is not likely.    However, if it happens, You should determine the reason for the failure. Check the integrity of the cable. If the cable is bad, Press "N" or "n" and the program will quit.. If communications failed during the loading of the boot loader (about 10 seconds at the beginning) then the modem will have to be returned for repair. Virtually all other communications failures can be corrected and the loader program rerun to continue the operation.
     
  2. When successfully completed the program will display “Update completed”.
     
  3. To insure proper settings with the new software the modem should be turned off, wait 10 seconds and then turn power back on.

In case of problems! --- Check the cable. These are the only problem reported so far.

To perform a Manual update follow the steps below exactly.

 Manual Update is usually not required.    It is for special cases where for some reason a downrev firmware version is required, or a Burst Mode is needed.

  1. Click on MANUAL UPDATE.

 

  1. Select the Correct modem type and COM port.
  1. Use the pull down menu to select the version of BIN file that is desired.
  1. If you have ordered the BURST mode BIN file from the factory, you can select the ‘BURST MODE’ button and then select the correct BIN file from the pull down menu.
  1. Click on “START MANUAL UPDATE” and the program will start the update.     There will be a warning  section displayed, to confirm you really want to install a DownRev, or BURST mode.    This is a last chance to verify that this is what you really want to do.     Clicking YES will update the modem.

If you are reading this from the documentation CD then copy the files from the CD directory "M5 Modem Firmware" to the M5Update directory/folder. The minimum files required are: "M5UPDATE.EXE", "M5VB40032.DLL”, “MSCOMM32.OCX”  and “M5UPDATE.HLP”.