Automatic Firmware Update Wizard

Main article: NanoBoard 3000 - Firmware Updates

The Automatic Firmware Update wizard.

The Automatic Firmware Update wizard is used to perform all changes to the operating firmware (Primary boot image) currently installed in a connected 3000-series NanoBoard.
 

Wizard Access

The wizard can be accessed manually, at any time, or can be set to appear automatically when a newer version of firmware becomes available, and is detected at a specified location.

• Manual Access – in the Devices view (View»Devices View), right-click on the icon associated with the 3000-series NanoBoard whose firmware you wish to update and choose the Update NanoBoard Firmware command from the context menu that appears.
   
  
  Wizard appearance when accessed manually.
• Automated Access – the Automatic Firmware Update feature is enabled by default, provided you have allowed connections with Altium. With a 3000-series NanoBoard connected and powered on, the software will check for firmware updates upon accessing the Devices view for the first time, and enabling the Live option. Thereafter, it will check for updates every 24 hours.
   
  Essentially, the software compares the version of firmware currently installed in your NanoBoard 3000 against an index of currently released versions of the firmware. If a later version is available, the wizard will pop-up automatically – offering the ability to update your firmware at that time.
   
  
  Wizard appearance when accessed automatically.

Firmware Update Process (Starting from Normal Operating Mode)

With the NanoBoard 3000 in Normal Operating mode (Primary boot image of the firmware loaded into the Host FPGA), the update process is the same, irrespective of how the wizard is accessed.

1. The wizard first guides you through the process of putting the NanoBoard 3000 into Update mode – requiring the 'Golden' boot image of the firmware to be loaded into the Host FPGA. It is this special version of firmware that enables the normal operating firmware to be upgraded, quickly and efficiently over the USB link. This involves powering the board off, inserting a jumper onto the 'PLATFORM UPGRADE ENABLE' header (J24), and powering the board back on. The wizard displays clear instruction and graphical indication of the area of the NanoBoard accordingly.
    
   
   Follow the wizard's instructions to place the NanoBoard in Update mode - loading the Golden boot image of the firmware into the
   Host FPGA (NanoTalk Controller).
2. The wizard will, by default, select the latest version of firmware it can find, ready for update. It will search for this using the defined index location(s) on the FPGA - NanoBoard Firmware Updates page of the Preferences dialog (provided checking for updates is enabled and you are connected to Altium's on-demand services). Alternatively, click the Select button to access a dialog from which to browse for the required firmware file from a hard disk or network location (the dialog points to the \System folder of the installation by default).
    
   
   Run with the version of firmware initially detected by the wizard, or manually search for a file on your hard disk or network locale - you are always in full control over which version
   of firmware is installed to your board\!
3. Once you have selected the required firmware update file, click Next – the wizard proceeds to its next page, preparing the firmware for update.
    
   
   The wizard prepares to update the firmware.
4. The wizard then enters the programming phase, which essentially consists of erasing the target SPI Flash memory into which the firmware is to be programmed, downloading the selected firmware file to that memory, then verifying the integrity of the download against the original file.
    
   
   The wizard proceeds to erase, then download the new firmware to the SPI Flash memory. Upon download, the file in memory will be validated against the original file.
5. The wizard then guides you through the process of putting the NanoBoard 3000 back into Normal Operating mode – requiring the 'Primary' boot image of the firmware to be loaded into the Host FPGA. This is the normal operating firmware that has just been downloaded into the SPI Flash memory during the programming phase. This involves powering the board off, removing the jumper from the 'PLATFORM UPGRADE ENABLE' header (J24), and powering the board back on. The wizard displays clear instruction and graphical indication of the area of the NanoBoard accordingly.
    
   
   Follow the wizard's instructions to place the NanoBoard back into Normal Operating mode - loading the Primary boot image of the
   firmware into the Host FPGA (NanoTalk Controller).
6. Once the NanoBoard is powered back on, the final page of the wizard will load, confirming that the NanoBoard has been programmed with the selected firmware.
    
   
   Confirmation of a successful firmware update\!

Firmware Update Process (Starting from Update Mode)

With the NanoBoard 3000 in Update mode (jumper placed onto the 'PLATFORM UPGRADE ENABLE' header (J24)), automatic and manual firmware updates are still possible – just faster! As the board is already in Update mode, the Automatic Firmware Update wizard does not require you to perform the initial steps otherwise involved in progressing to this point. These steps are therefore skipped and the wizard will appear as shown below:

Initial page for the Automatic Firmware Update wizard when the connected 3000-series NanoBoard
is already in Update mode (Golden boot image of firmware loaded into Host Controller).

From this point, simply click the Next button. The update process is then identical to that described in the previous section (steps 2-6).