General: How to Update the PmmC for DIABLO-16
Details
| Number | 4D-AN-00036 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Supported Processors | DIABLO-16 |
| Supported Environments | Designer, ViSi, ViSi-Genie, Serial |
Description
This application note provides step-by-step instructions on how to power up the DIABLO16 display module and how to update the firmware.
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The target Diablo16 display modules
Visit www.4dsystems.com.au/products to see the latest display module products that use the Diablo16 processor.
Also, below are programmers that can be use to update the firmware.
For non-gen4 displays (uLCD-xxx)
For gen4 displays (gen4-uLCD-xxx)
The Workshop 4 IDE should be installed according to the installation document.
Install the Drivers for the Programming Modules
Either the µUSB-PA5 programming adaptor or the 4D USB programming cable can be used to download a program to, update the firmware or PmmC on, or test a Diablo 16 display module. Before using any of these programming modules, the drivers need to be installed first.
Drivers for the µUSB-PA5 Programming Adaptor
Information about and drivers for the µUSB-PA5-II programming adaptor can be found on its product page.
Drivers for the 4D USB Programming Cable
Information about and drivers for the 4D USB programming cable can be found on its product page.
Drivers for the 4D Universal Programming Adaptor (4D-UPA)
Information about and drivers for the 4D Universal Programming Adaptor can be found on its product page.
Warning
Using a non-4D programming interface could damage the processor and void the warranty.
Install Workshop4
Workshop4 is a comprehensive software IDE for Microsoft Windows that provides an integrated software development platform for all of the 4D family of processors and modules. The IDE combines the Editor, Compiler, Linker and Downloader to develop complete 4DGL application code. All user application code is developed within the Workshop4 IDE.
Updated installation files and installation guide for Workshop 4 can be found on its product page.
How to Update the Firmware
Follow the instructions below to update the firmware or PmmC (Personality module micro Code) of the display module. In summary, the instructions are as follows:
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Create a new project in Workshop
a. Launch Workshop 4
b. Create a new Project
c. Select an Environment
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Connect the display module to the PC
a. Connect using the uUSB-PA5 programming adaptor
b. Connect using the 4D USB programming cable
c. Check if the display module is detected by the PC
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Open the PmmC loader
a. Auto update mode
b. Manual update mode
c. Force update
Create a New Project in Workshop
Launch Workshop 4
There is a shortcut for Workshop 4 on the desktop. Launch Workshop 4 by double-clicking on the icon.
Create a New Project
Workshop 4 opens and displays the Recent page.
To create a new project, there are two options.
Click on the top left-most icon, New.
Or Click on the icon beside Create a new Project.
These options update the main window with the selection of the screen.
Select the appropriate screen and preferred orientation.
The screen used in this example is a Gen4-uLCD-43DCT-CLB (landscape orientation).
Select an Environment
Select any of the available environments. In this tutorial, ViSi-Genie is chosen.
A new project is now created. The user can now update the firmware on the display module and can start designing an application as well. Workshop 4 displays an empty screen, called Form0.A form is like a page on the screen. The form can contain widgets or objects, like trackbars, sliders, displays or keyboards. Below is an empty form
To learn how to create a basic application in ViSi-Genie, read ViSi-Genie Getting Started - First Project for Diablo16.
Connect the Display Module
Connect the display module to the PC using a 4D USB Programming Cable , a µUSB-PA5-II programming adaptor or a 4D-Universal Programming A
Using the µUSB-PA5 Programming Adaptor
One end of the 5-way cable is connected to the 5 pins of the gen4-IB. The Interface Board has the pins +5V, TX, RX, GND, and RESET.
Check the orientation
Using the 4D USB Programming Cable
Check the orientation
Using 4D-Universal Programming Adaptor (4D-UPA)
Check the orientation
Check if the Display Module is Detected by the PC
Go to the Comms menu to check if the module is detected.
Above the Comms section, the violet light mentions no module is currently connected.
With the display module connected to the 4D USB programming cable (or µUSB-PA5 or 4D-UPA), plug the other end of the cable to the USB port. Click on the drop-down list and select the COM port allocated to the cable. The product pages for the programming cable , µUSB-PA5, and 4D-UPA have instructions on how to determine the allocated COM port.
The light turns yellow while the connection is being established:
Finally, the light goes blue when the connection is established.
Note
The model of the target display, its current PmmC, and driver are printed in red font. This means that either or both of the PmmC and the driver are out dated. In this case, the PmmC on the target display is version 1.2. The driver is dated 16/06/09 (June 09, 2016).
The light turns red when no module is attached to the selected port:
Note
If the connected target display cannot be detected, doublecheck all connections, ensure that the drivers are correctly installed, and verify the correct COM port allocation for the programming module. Check continuity of the 5-way cable and try replacing the USB-to-miniUSB or USB-to-Micro USB cable (if using a uUSB-PA5 or 4D-UPA) as well. Some USB-to-miniUSB and USB-to-Micro USB cables transfer power only and not data.
Open the PmmC Loader
Workshop uses the PmmC loader to download PmmCs and drivers onto the display module. To open it, go to the Tools menu and click on the PmmC Loader icon.
The PmmC Loader window appears.
Auto Update Mode
By default, the mode is set to automatic.
Select the appropriate Com Port by clicking the drop-down menu arrow.
Click on the Auto Update button at the bottom part of the window.
The information box displays the message below.
Download is now in progress.
PmmC is now updated.
Click on the Close button to exit.
Manual Update Mode
Use the manual update mode to manually select the desired PmmC and driver files to be downloaded onto the display module.
Force Update
In the automatic mode, no action is taken if the PmmC loader detects that the PmmC and driver are up to date.
However, it is possible to force the PmmC loader to load the most current PmmC and driver files onto the display module. To accomplish this, enable the "Force update to current PmmC" option by clicking on the tick box beside it.
Click on the Auto Update button at the bottom part of the window.
Download is now in progress.
The PmmC and driver are now updated.
Click on the Close button to exit.
How to Open the Sample Projects
Open a Sample Project
Workshop 4 opens and displays the Recent page.
To open a sample project, click on the Samples tab.
Select Diablo Designer.
A standard Open window appears. Choose the desired project. Here Scope2.4dg is chosen.
The sample project now opens.
How to Change the Screen Module
Now, check the type of the screen module by selecting the Project menu.
If using a different display module, change the target display module by clicking on the display button.
The Change Display window appears.
Select the appropriate screen on the drop-down list and define the orientation.
and confirm by clicking on
Program Destination
Choose the destination of the project. Select the Project menu and click on Flash as the destination.
Compile and Download
After making sure that the device is detected, go to the Home menu and click on the Comp'nLoad button.
Workshop now downloads the program to the flash memory of the display module.
Finally, the message box displays the code size and confirms that the download to the flash memory has been successful.
The demo now starts and runs on the screen. Note that a µSD card is not needed for this demo project.
Application Notes
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