AMETEK Lx AC source User Manual
Requirements, Instructions
Instructions
Down Load firmware for Lx/Ls AC source
Requirements
This document provides basic instructions for updating firmware on Lx or Ls series AC power
sources. The following items are required to download new firmware:
• A copy of the new firmware in HEX format. The file may be downloaded from the CI
website or may have been distributed through email. If the file is archived to a zip, it must
be unzipped to it’s original HEX format (.hex extension) before it can be used.
• The FlashLoaderComm utility program. It can be downloaded from the California
Instruments website (
r GUI/Software. You need to be a registered
user to do so.
• A Windows 98/NT/2000/XP PC with serial port.
• A RS232
serial cable, CI P/N 250709. This cable is provided in the Lx/Ls Series ship kit.
If lost, a regular straight-thru 9 pin Male to 9 pin Female cable can be used.
Instructions
Copy both FlashLoaderComm.exe and CIC674rn.nn.exe to a temporary folder on your PC. If the
FlashLoaderComm.exe was downloaded from the CI web site, it will have to be installed. This is a
self extracting installation. Just double click on the exe file to perform the installation and follow
the user prompts.
CIC674rn.nn.exe is the hex file that contains the firmware update. The n.nn will be the revision
number of the firmware. The hex file may be distributed as a WinZip archive with a .zip extension.
In that case, unzip the .zip file to it’s native .hex format before attempting to upgrade the Lx/Ls
unit.
Please record the revision of the previous firmware before the update for reference. The firmware
revision is displayed during power up sequence.
1. Connect a straight-through (not a null modem) RS232 cable (9 pin to 9 pin) between the
power source and the com port of the PC.
2. Power up the AC source while holding down the ENTER key on the keyboard. RELEASE
the ENTER key as soon as the first text appears on the LCD display. Do not hold the
ENTER key too long as the unit will revert back to normal operation mode if you do. This will
put the source controller into the Flash down load mode. Wait until the last screen appears
that shows the RS232 setup parameters that are used in the boot loader mode.
3. Open up the Flash Loader utility program “FlashLoaderComm.exe”. This utility is available
in the Gui and Drivers download section.
4. Select the COM port. Leave “Baud rate” and “Cmd Delay” without change.
5. Select “Init Port” followed by “FlashUpdate”.
6. Select Browse and locate the file CIC674rn.nn.exe. This file is supplied with this instruction
and should be included in the same directory as FlashLoaderComm.exe file.
7. Select “DownLoad”. This will start the firmware update procedure. The front panel display for
the AC source will display the message “Erasing flash” followed by “Flash erase complete”
and “Programming Flash”. The down load will be completed in about 6 to 7 minutes.
1
The GPIB interface cannot be used for this purpose, as the Flash boot loader is a small resident
program that does not support GPIB communications.
California Instruments
Firmware Update Instructions
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