Table of Contents
Advertisement
PSM-500/500L/500LT SCPC Satellite Modem
"null modem" type cables). This is a standard serial extension cable available at
computer outlets.
Any software upgrade requires a "Control Program" hosted on the computer which transmits or
"Loads" the new software to the modem. The Control Program is available with the newer
software revision. Currently the name of the control program is "M500 Update.exe". This Loader
is an IBM PC Visual Basic based program that can be run under Windows 98, 2000 and XP. We
now have a newer self contained M500 Update program capable of running under Windows Vista
available on the web site. This version can also check a special web site on demand for newer
firmware for the connected modem, making the process as painless as possible.
The Installation program must be run first to install the update program in the PC used for
updating modem firmware. The M500Update program is specifically designed to stand alone if it
is located in a directory with its VB DLL and OCX files plus the flash binary format files for the
modem. It does not change the registry or appear in the "Start Programs" menu. The advantage
of this is that it can even be run from the CD that comes with the modem (although that probably
does not have newer flash files), or from a central networked computer location.
4.3.1 Update Software Installation –
There are two M500 software/firmware update programs available. The main one is the
recommended M500 Update program that is very easy to use. The alternate is the
M500FlashLoader program that may be required in special cases only. Both are briefly described
below. More complete installation and usage information is available on the web and with the
programs.
4.3.1.1 M500 Update Program
The M500Update program is designed to be very simple to install and use. It looks at the modem
and the .fbf files in its own directory and determines if an update is available. You only need to
push one button and the program will load the main unit and any FEC files needed by the
modem. The program is normally installed in a folder/directory of your choosing, for example one
named C:\My Documents\M500Tools. It is described above and on the "download" page of our
web site.
Beginning with version 2.0 the M500Update program was renamed to M500 Up_date for
programming reasons. These versions are needed to operate in Windows Vista operating
systems. Newer versions of this update program are even easier to use. As of this writing version
2.10 is available. In this release a computer with web access can determine the Unit and FEC
versions in the USB connected modem and then check the web for availability of later firmware.
On command it can download the new firmware, unpack it and install it into the modem. It can
even check for newer versions of the Update program itself. To use the latest implementation the
user only needs the M500 Up_date.exe program and the USB driver to get new firmware and
update modems.
4.3.1.2 M500 Flash Loader Program
This is an older, but more flexible program that operates in a slightly different manner than the
normal M500 Update program: It is not recommended unless specifically required.
The M500 Flash Loader program can be "installed" and will appear in the Start Programs menu.
The Flash Binary Format files do not have to be in the same directory as the program.
It does not analyze the modem to determine if an update is needed based on those .fbf files.
It allows installing down rev software if required.
The installation program handles this location by default. The recommended method for installing
the Update Software program is as follows:
PSM-500/500L/500LT - Rev. 0.91
Maintenance
Page 4-9
Advertisement
Table of Contents
