Studio Technologies 5121 - Manual (Page 15)

Model 5121 User Guide Issue 3, October 2014
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 15
Model 5121
Line/IFB Output Module
Figure 5. Detail of front panel showing the level meter LEDs
that display the firmware (embedded software) version. In this
example, the firmware version is 1.2.
Minor Version Number
Major Version Number ( No LED lit indicates .0)
 
O O O O O O  O  O O O O O
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7
modulator and current limiter. The noise is
an artifact of the design topology and sim-
ply can’t be overcome. How does Studio
Technologies know this? Because our first
“breadboard” designs used this method and
achieved the same poor results! Only after
the problem came to light did work on an
improved circuit begin. The result was well
worth the effort.
Firmware Version Display
After the Model 5121’s power-up sequence
is completed, the unit’s LEDs are used to
automatically display the firmware (em-
bedded software) version number. This is
useful when working with factory personnel
on application support and troubleshooting
situations. The seven LEDs associated with
the channel 1 audio level meter are used
to display the major version number with
a range of 1 through 7. The seven LEDs
associated with the channel 2 audio level
meter are used to display the minor ver-
sion number which ranges from 0 to 7. (No
lit channel 2 LEDs indicates minor version
number 0.) The firmware version number
will display for approximately one second
after the power-up sequence has completed
but before normal operation will begin. Refer
to Figure 5 for a detailed view of the LEDs
and the corresponding firmware version
numbering scheme.
Note that while it’s easy to determine which
firmware version is loaded into the Model
5121 a trip back to the factory is required
to update it. The 8-bit microcontroller that
provides the unit’s logic “horsepower” also
includes internal FLASH memory. This non-
volatile memory is used to store the operat-
ing firmware. Re-programming this memory
requires using a specialized programming
unit. While not outrageous in price, it still
costs in the range of US$500. The pro-
grammer uses a ribbon cable and socket to
interface with a 6-pin “header” on one of the
Model 5121’s printed circuit boards. As you
would guess, once connected reprogram-
ming takes only a matter of seconds. But
unfortunately the programmer is not some-
thing that would be found in a typical “field
shop” or repair facility.