Following you will find software/firmware upgrades for various VertexRSI electronic products. Each file is contained in a self-extracting archive. Please download the file, run in a directory (such as C:\TEMP) and read the README.TXT file for further instructions.
RCP-1000: Remote Control Panel for RACK and outdoor SSPA's
The RCP-1000 allows you to access the front panel functions of a RACK or outdoor (NEMA) SSPA from a remote location. The current version of the RCP-1000 flash firmware is 2.21. This version fixes a bug that would cause the RCP-1000 to lock up, under certain conditions, when changing serial interface settings.
If your RCP-1000 is connected to a RACK or outdoor (NEMA) SSPA is running a firmware version that is earlier than 2.80, you MUST update the firmware in the RACK or outdoor prior to installing this firmware in the RCP-1000. RACK and outdoor SSPA's don't contain flash memory - you must contact the factory at 814-238-2700 to obtain a firmware upgrade chip.
If you have a remote control panel connected to an Antenna Mount or ModuMAX N+1 amplifier, you should check for firmware upgrades under RCP-2000 or 2001, below.
Download now
RSC-1100, RSC-1200, RSC-1111: Redundant System Controllers
The Redundant System Controllers allow you to implement an automatic-switching 1:1, 1:2, or Dual 1:1 system using VertexRSI LNA's, converters, or any amplifiers that provide fault indicator outputs.
The current firmware version is 2.13.
IMPORTANT: For proper operation, you should always upgrade to the latest firmware if installing a new replacement board in your controller.
If your controller currently has firmware version 2.03 or later, you may upgrade its flash memory.
Download v2.13 upgrade now
If your controller has a firmware version earlier than 2.00, it does not use flash memory. Contact the factory to obtain a firmware upgrade chip.
If you have an attached Remote Control Panel, we recommend you upgrade firmware in both the Redundant System Controller and Remote Control Panel.
The following is a revision history for the firmware:
v2.13
- Added support for front panels using new Allegro 6818 LED driver chips, without flickering problem of previous versions.
- Added support for new revision of logic board (APCB-13310-1). This version or newer is required for use of this logic board.
- Improved startup ability for highly-capacitive LNA/converter loads.
- Improved filtering logic for alarms on output current to LNAs/converters.
- Changed startup logic to insure proper reset behavior under all conditions, despite component variations.
- Added support for new revisions of front panel board (PCB label 9338D) and parallel IO board (PCB label 9316B). This firmware version or newer is required for use of these new boards.
- Made bottom (unused) fault LED into Remote Control Panel (RCP) Fault indicator.
- Added display of RCP faults from RSC front panel.
- Added RCP-specific fault codes to serial I/O message 16 46.
- Revised transfer of RCP faults to RSC to improve RCP fault reporting.
- Revision for internal documentation purposes.
- Changed the function of serial I/O message 16 47 to return firmware version string of an attached Remote Control Panel (RCP), or "0.00" if no RCP attached.
- Corrected serial I/O message 16 46, which would return no data if an internal fault was detected that didn't match a defined fault code.
- Corrected slowdown of controller operation if its parallel I/O board failed.
- If the switch driver for a particular LNA/converter output shuts down, a fault is reported.
- Contact factory for additional revision history.
RCP-1100, RCP-1200, RCP-1111: Remote Control Panels for RSC
These remote control panels allow you to access front panel, serial IO, and Parallel IO functions of Redundant System Controllers from a remote location.
The current firmware version is 2.13.
IMPORTANT: For proper operation, you should always upgrade to the latest firmware if installing a new replacement board in the Remote Control Panel.
If your controller currently has firmware version 2.03 or later, you may upgrade its flash memory.
Download v2.13 upgrade now
We recommend you upgrade firmware in the Redundant System Controller if doing so for the Remote Control Panel.
The following is a revision history for the firmware:
v2.13
- Added support for front panels using new Allegro 6818 LED driver chips without flickering problem of previous versions.
- Added support for new revision of logic board (APCB-13310-1). This version or newer is required for use of this logic board.
- Changed startup logic to insure proper reset behavior under all conditions, despite component variations.
- Added support for new revisions of front panel board (PCB label 9338D) and parallel IO board (PCB label 9316B). This firmware version or newer is required for use of these new boards.
- Made bottom (unused) fault LED into Remote Control Panel (RCP) fault indicator.
- Added display of RCP faults from RSC front panel.
- Revised transfer of RCP faults to RSC to improve RCP fault reporting.
- Added serial IO message 1C 16 47 that returns the firmware version string even if no RSC is connected.
- Added ability to view RCP faults from the front panel, even with no RSC connected, or a communications failure between RSC and RCP.
- Corrected a problem which could lose a serial I/O message if it arrived before a previous message was forwarded to the controller for handling.
- Corrected a problem that would occasionally report a diagnostic fault immediately after the service request relay on the serial port was activated.
- Revisions for internal documentation purposes.
- Corrected slowdown of controller operation if its parallel I/O board failed.
- Contact factory for additional revision history.
PCX-XXXX/A, or PKX-XXXX/A: Antenna Mount Amplifier
The Antenna Mount amplifier is a small and lightweight outdoor SSPA, especially useful for mobile applications. The current version of the Antenna Mount flash firmware is 2.00. You must upgrade to version 2.00 if you wish to use an RCP-2001 Remote Control Panel. If you ordered an Antenna Mount amplifier with a special function, make sure you match the "MASK" number to the firmware you download.
Download now 000(NO MASK) Normal, no special functions
Download now 100 Second Serial Port (non-standard)
Antenna Mount Setup Software
The Antenna Mount Setup software normally ships with the Antenna Mount amplifier. Since the Antenna Mount amplifier has no built-in control panel, this software allows you to set up various parameters on your Antenna Mount amplifier by plugging a computer into its serial port. The current version of AMSETUP is 1.51.
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The ModuMAX family of SSPA amplifiers provide much higher power and N+1 redundancy which allow you to deal with failures without switching and without suffering a loss of traffic. The current version of the ModuMAX N+1 flash firmware is either 1.00 or 1.01 (see below). If your amplifier has a special firmware feature, make sure you match the "MASK" number to the firmware you download.
Download coming soon 000 (NO MASK) Normal, no special functions, Version 1.00
Download coming soon 100 Lower module power fault limit, Version 1.0
RCP-2000, RCP-2001: Remote Control Panel for ModuMAX and Antenna Mount Amplifiers The RCP-2000 and RCP-2001 are similar to the RCP-1000. They are meant to provide remote control capability for our Antenna Mount and ModuMAX line of amplifiers. The current version of the RCP-200X flash firmware is 1.01.
Download coming soon
MAXCON
MAXCON software allows you to completely control an SSPA system consisting of RACK, NEMA (outdoor), or Variable Phase Combined (Model VPRC-XXXX) amplifiers via their serial ports. It also supports Antenna Mount amplifiers - but will not currently support Parallel I/O or Remote/Local features that are available when the Antenna Mount amplifier is connected to an RCP-2001.
If your RACK or NEMA amplifier contains a firmware version earlier than 2.30, then MAXCON will NOT support it. All Antenna Mount versions ARE supported, with the provisions noted above.
This newest version, 1.62, fixes a bug which would prevent the serial port from being properly initialized on some Windows XP installations. It also adds the ability to the 32-bit version, to use COM ports COM1-COM20 (i.e. it is no longer limited to COM1-COM4).
Starting with version 1.60, we have included both a 16-bit and a 32-bit version. The 32-bit version can be run under Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. Also, the help file has been significantly improved. If you plan to use RS-485 2-wire communications under Windows NT, 2000, or XP, we encourage you to read the help file, to avoid complications.
This download is a self-extracting archive that will decompress itself to the install program. Place this file in a temporary directory on your computer, and run it. You will be prompted to run SETUP.EXE. Please do so, and then read and follow the on-screen installation instructions from that point.
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SERIOWIN
The SERIOWIN utility software allows you to manually compose and send messages using VertexRSI's serial protocol. The complete response (if any) is decoded and displayed for you. This utility is useful for debugging serial port problems and verifying operation of M&C software you are developing. The current version of SERIOWIN is 3.02 BETA. NOTE: VertexRSI does NOT support SERIOWIN as a product. SERIOWIN will run under Windows NT, 98, 2000 or XP.
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GRC "Generic Redundancy Controller"
GRC firmware is used in the Piggyback Microprocessor Board (PMB) to add Serial IO capabilities to various Redundant Up-Converter, Redundant Down-Converter, and Redundant Line Driver systems.
The current firmware version is 1.05.
If your system has the Serial IO option and contains a PMB (indicated by a Serial IO connector on the rear panel), you may upgrade its flash memory. Contact the factory if you are uncertain whether these upgrades are applicable to your product.
Note: You must load firmware for the correct configuration (1:1 single band, 1:1 dual-band, 1:2, etc.)!
Download 1:1 (1 band) v1.05 upgrade now
Download 1:1 (2 band) v1.05 upgrade now
Download 1:2 (1 band) v1.05 upgrade now
If your system controller does not have a Serial IO connector on the rear panel, it is not Flash programmable and these updates do not apply. Contact the factory regarding availability of a firmware upgrade chip if you encounter problems with these products.
The following is a revision history for the firmware:
v1.05
- Addressed timing issue which could cause random changes in system status reported via Serial IO, when operating at elevated chassis temperature.
- Improved communications error checking and added fault code BE/3E (parity error) to message 16 46.
- Updated Serial IO protocol to document 14339, revision C.
- Addressed problem which could cause intermittent switch faults to be reported if rapidly switching back and forth between paths.
- Fault Reset button and Fault Reset Parallel input now clear faults reported by Serial IO.
- Added message 17 41, allowing customer to enter "system type" byte.
- Added ability for all faults (including unlikely processor internal faults) to light front panel LED.
- Updated Serial IO protocol to document 14339, revision B.