Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System

Jeong Han Lee via Tech-talk <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov> · Tue, 9 Feb 2021 00:36:00 -0800

Hi Abdalla,

On Mon, Feb 8, 2021 at 11:47 PM Abdalla Ahmad
<Abdalla.Ahmad at sesame.org.jo> wrote:
>
> Hello Han
>
> We are using the EVG230 and EVR230-RF. There should not be any problem because I used to telnet to the board and dump the memory to check some registers according to the manual.
>
Still this is unclear to me, but I can assume you have a VME model for
EVG and EVR.

> > Side question, the firmware on MRF website is it for the processor or the FPGA or both? Should I update the processor only or both?

MRF website firmware isn't for VME EVG230 and EVR230-RF, so you should
not use them to update it. From my understanding (not VME), these
firmwares are for FPGA, but I may be wrong, because I don't update any
firmware of VME products.

As Michael mentioned before, it would be better to contact Jukka (MRF)
directly in order to get the real supports from MRF.

HTH,
Han

> I am starting to think this question explains the problem, because few days ago I just noticed in the manual there is update procedure for the FPGA. So when we say firmware update I am not sure processor, FPGA or both.
>
> Best Regards,
> Abdalla.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeong Han Lee <citadel.lee at gmail.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2021 9:30 AM
> To: Abdalla Ahmad <Abdalla.Ahmad at sesame.org.jo>
> Cc: Michael Davidsaver <mdavidsaver at gmail.com>; tech-talk at aps.anl.gov
> Subject: Re: Firmware upgrade for MRF event generators and receivers
>
> Hi Abdalla,
>
> Could you explain your hardware model?
>
> I did its firmware update by using MRF software, and epics-modules/mrfioc2 IOC.
> Usually, it works without any problem. However, there are some NOT MRF generic firmwares, and NOT MRF hardwares I saw in my life. That is the reason why I made the first question.
>
> Best,
> Han
>
> On Mon, Feb 8, 2021 at 10:38 PM Abdalla Ahmad via Tech-talk <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Michael
> >
> > Thanks for the feedback. Will try to contact MRF.
> >
> > Side question, the firmware on MRF website is it for the processor or the FPGA or both? Should I update the processor only or both?
> >
> > Best Regards,
> > Abdalla.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Michael Davidsaver <mdavidsaver at gmail.com>
> > Sent: Monday, February 08, 2021 7:32 PM
> > To: Abdalla Ahmad <Abdalla.Ahmad at sesame.org.jo>
> > Cc: tech-talk at aps.anl.gov
> > Subject: Re: Firmware upgrade for MRF event generators and receivers
> >
> > On 2/8/21 6:37 AM, Abdalla Ahmad via Tech-talk wrote:
> > > Hello community
> > >
> > > This question is not EPICS specific, but I could use some help. We tried downgrading the firmware for spare EVG and EVR boards which have the MRM firmware 005 I think to firmware E403 and D507 respectively. I followed the procedure in the manuals but when I issue the command "u" to start the update process, the telnet session exits with message "Self-programming triggered". I came back after a while and every time I telnet to the board, it seems the device entered a mode where no command is available (only q and x commands), sometimes when the device reboots, I try to dump the memory I get "Addr 0x8000002e: error -1".
> > >
> > > I tried re-uploading the firmware, power-cycle, and factory settings but nothing works. Any advice how to fix the firmware update process?
> >
> > Back when I was at BNL I was able to successfully update firmware on several VME boards (I assume that's what you have).  I was always nervous though.
> >
> > I can only recommend contacting MRF.  If you are lucky, and have access to a JTAG programmer, you might be able to directly re-flash the firmware yourself.

Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System

Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System