[hpsdr] Hermes Initial results and TX Question

[Joe Martin K5SO]

Mike, 

It seems to me that the simplest method is to run HPSDRProgrammer and try to change your firmware version.  To do this, run HPSDRProgrammer, select "Hermes", click "Discover" and note the firmware version number reported by the program, then click "browse" and navigate to a Hermes.rbf file that is for a different version of firmware from that reported in the previous step, select it so that it shows in the "Program file:" window of HPSDRProgrammer, and click "program" to load the new firmware version into your Hermes board. When HPSDRProgrammer completes its programming, let the board restart (it does this automatically) then click "Discover" again to see what firmware version is now reported.  If the firmware version number reported now is the one you selected, your board certainly contains the boot loader code because the update procedure was successful, if the "old" firmware version number is reported again instead then you may not have the bootloader installed on your board. 

Alternatively, there is an option in the Quartus Programmer utility that permits you to read the EEPROM directly to see what is actually in it; but likely you would need to have some familiarity with the Quartus Programmer and the bootloader code itself to effectively use this approach.  I've not tried this personally but I'm sure it could work.  

Perhaps someone else has a better, or easier, method they could share? 

73, Joe K5SO


On Nov 29, 2012, at 6:26 PM, mstangelo at comcast.net wrote:

> Joe,
> 
> How can I tell if my Hermes board is missing the bootloader code?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Mike N2MS
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joe Martin K5SO <k5so at valornet.com>
> To: HPSDR list <hpsdr at lists.openhpsdr.org>
> Sent: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:33:39 -0000 (UTC)
> Subject: Re: [hpsdr] Hermes Initial results and TX Question
> 
> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
> 
> Hi Joe, 
> 
> You normally don't need a blaster cable to upgrade your firmware using HPSDRProgrammer.  
> 
> The reason that some people are obtaining blaster cables now is that some Hermes boards are missing the bootloader code that is required to be present in the EEPROM if HPSDRProgrammer is used to upgrade the firmware.  If your board is missing the bootloader code in the EEPROM then the only way to change firmware on the board is to use a blaster cable to load code; after loading the bootloader code using a blaster cable you may use HPSDRProgrammer thereafter to load upgrades to the firmware, without use of a blaster cable. 
> 
> Yes, the $14 cables work.
> 
> 73,  Joe K5SO
> 


 1354240702.0