[Elecraft] Fwd: K3 Failed DSP Firmware Download

[Dick Dievendorff]

We do check each block with a checksum. We do have a per block ACK. I can't tell if a Microham device us inline...



Dick

On Feb 6, 2011, at 15:43, "Craig - AE6RR" <ae6rr at pacbell.net> wrote:

> 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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