[Elecraft] Fwd: K3 Failed DSP Firmware Download

[Craig - AE6RR]

Dick,

Would it be possible to check each record or block of data for validity
(checksum, CRC, etc.) and acknowledge (ACK) or request a resend (NAK) from
the PC before writing it to flash?  If a data block is corrupted a resend
could be quested multiple times before giving up, declaring an error and
"bricking" the radio.

Another option would be to validate the serial connection with some test
data before starting the actual download.

As a bare minimum, I would suggest a warning box that would popup when a
download is started.  

Something like:

"Do not attempt this with a microHAM USB interface or any other
non-compatible interface - Click OK to proceed".

I do highly commend Elecraft for including a "bootstrap loader" in the
firmware which allows the user to correct the problem without having to send
the radio back to the factory which is the case with many other upgradeable
products.

73,
- Craig, AE6RR

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 1:08 PM
To: n4rp at aiko.com
Cc: Elecraft; don at w3fpr.com
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: K3 Failed DSP Firmware Download

The PIC18F8722 microcontroller used has 128KB of flash program memory and a
bit less than 4KB of RAM. Its a Harvard architecture machine, not the Von
Neumann model. Your "simple" suggestion is infeasible. There is no place on
chip to buffer the firmware in its entirety. 

Dick, K6KR

On Feb 6, 2011, at 14:53, Ross Primrose N4RP <n4rp at aiko.com> wrote:

> On 2/6/11 3:36 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> I do not know how any additional degree of "robustness" in K3 Utility
>> could correct for that condition.
>> 
> 
> Simple... Don't write ANYTHING to the K3 EEPROM (I assume) until the K3 
> has received the ENTIRE firmware file w/o errors. Blocks with errors can 
> always be resent....
> 
> 73, Ross N4RP
> 
> -- 
> FCC Section 97.313(a) "At all times, an amateur station must use the
minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired
communications."
> 
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