Saturday, December 15, 2018

AMC1280USB Firmware v3.5 release


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FIRMWARE UPDATE!


After some issues with the firmware release v3.0 I had to do some major rework on the serial communications for the AMC1280USB new firmware. This rework also included changes in the motion software side. The new v3.5 firmware changes, now prevent non motion data packets to enter the AMC entirely and it uses a combination of counting and checks for presence of LF/CR bytes in the end to prevent wrong ID detection.

The data packet string now is 20 bytes long and includes additional spare motion data slots for up to 8axis ( applicable to newer Servomotor controllers variations only ).
The ID is byte values 0xFF + 0xFF
Each Axis is 16bit wide.
LF+CR is required in the end (0x0A + 0x0D)

ID AXIS1 AXIS2 AXIS3 AXIS4 AXIS5 AXIS6 AXIS7 AXIS8 LF/CR



There was already verification from many beta testers verifying the stability of the new firmware, but as always, if there is anything that was missed, let me know to fix asap.


Download the 7z file that contains the latest AMC1280USB_v3.5_rev1a Firmware:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x9p75y4c5atasit/AABwZh7HS8ry7aB3X30CKXKsa?dl=0

*UPDATE 2/16/2019* Newer release is the v3.5_rev1b:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/94kemfrqtvjou10/enc_6dof_AMC1280USB_v3.5_rev1b.hex?dl=0


In the 7z file there are also updates for the following motion software:
Ian's BFF 6DOF
Simtools
Hexpod driver

The software updates are also separate available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/s6w0exs3n87m4nj/Sim%20Software%20Updates.zip?dl=0


Here are some instructions for the software fixes:


1. Ian's BFF 6DOF:

Copy the "BFF_6DOF_Background_v102.exe" into the BFF motion driver folder
and remove the existing "BFF_6DOF_Background_v100.exe"

Make sure to enter these settings in the ".bff" profile file you use:

Port=COM7   (or any other COM port number your AMC has, MUST be COM1 to COM9)
Baud=250000
Mode=BIN2TH




2. Simtools:
Simply drag and drop the "AMC1280USB_InterfacePlugin.dll" into the Simtools PluginUpdater
Start Simtools, you should see 8axis available now for the AMC1280USB interface plugin.






3. Hexpod Driver:
Copy and paste over the "6DOF.exe" into the Hexpod driver directory.
Drag and drop the "AMCHexpod_InterfacePlugin.dll" into the Simtools PluginUpdater.
Start Simtools, you should see the Axis7 and Axis8 to also appear in the interface page.







Thanos
San Diego, California  2018