Tseries firmware update procedure
Firmware update procedure
How to update TSeries amplifiers firmware
AMPLIFIER ARCHITECTURE
Tseries amplifiers are based on a flexible architecture that was developed for being expandable.
The minimum configuration is based on two boards, named KFRONT and KCNTRL. The first handles the front panel display
and the smart card reader/writer, the latter one supervises the amplifier and the power supply and performs the remote
control thru RS485 port. Each board has its own microcontroller and its own firmware.
In the amplifier can be installed as well a DSP board. This board is named KDSP and hosts two processors (and two
firmware): a powerful SHARC DSP supported by a microcontroller.
In the amplifier can be installed as well an Ethernet remote control board, called KAESOP. This board carries also 2 streams
of AES3 digital audio. Here is another microcontroller along with its own firmware.
The possible TSeries amplifier configurations are:
Basic amplifier: KFRONT + KCNTRL
DSP amplifier: KFRONT + KCNTRL + KDSP microcontroller + KDSP SHARC processor
AESOP amplifier: KFRONT + KCNTRL + KAESOP (without KDSP!)
DSP+AESOP amplifier: KFRONT + KCNTRL + KDSP microcontroller & SHARC processor + KAESOP
The fully populated configuration is formed by a total of 5 CPUs (and 5 firmware).
Firmware versions for the microcontrollers are expressed by the series name and a X.Y.Z-B string, where X.Y.Z is the
version, and B the build count (useless for end users). The SHARC processor instead has a progressive version number (for
example 2000).
Firmware upgrades consists of:
1) one smartcard for the KFRONT, KCNTRL, KDSP microcontroller and the SHARC processor, labelled with the firmware
version of microcontrollers (i.e. 5.3.4) and SHARC firmware version (3034)
2) one kaesop_X.Y.Z.bin file for the KAESOP microcontroller, where X.Y.Z is the version.
KFRONT+KCNTRL+KDSP FIRMWARE UPGRADE PROCEDURE OVERVIEW
This procedure will update the firmware of the KFRONT, KCNTRL and KDSP board (if installed). Before starting firmware
update check if amplifier is connected to a reliable power source, an UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is suggested
(never use the Powersoft Hub for powering the amplifier during firmware updates procedure!). In case of mains failure
during firmware update the procedure needs to be re-started, switching off and back on the amplifier, anyway no damage
will occur to the amplifier if firmware update fails for any reason. Do not remove firmware smart card during update
procedure, always wait until amplifier has completed the update.
FIRST STEP
Check current firmware versions to avoid downgrading the unit. Go to Menu=>Setup=>Hardware Info, scrolls screens
pressing the more pushbutton, write down versions and compare them against those of smartcard and KAESOP file (it's the
same for TSeries and Duecanali).
SECOND STEP
Only if KAESOP board is installed: be sure to get the smartcard and the KAESOP firmware file with exactly the same version.
Update the KAESOP firmware by using the FW Updater software and a PC with Ethernet connection (see next paragraph).
Turn off the amplifier only when the update procedure is completed.
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Tel. +39-30-3581341 Fax +39-30-3580431 — Web Site: www.outline.it E-Mail: info@outline.it
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Tseries firmware update procedure
Firmware update procedure
How to update TSeries amplifiers firmware
THIRD STEP
Turn off the amplifier, insert the FW smart card (electric contacts facing down) into the slot. While keeping pressed the first
and second buttons on the left of the front panel turn on the amplifier and wait about 3 to 6 seconds. After the fan test (full
throttle blow), wait for 5 seconds that the yellow leds on the panel will stop blinking, then is possible to release the two front
panel buttons, KFRONT firmware update will start automatically.
Please note that during KFRONT update the yellow leds will continue to blink for about another minute. During this period the
LCD display will remain blank because the KFRONT is under update and is unable to write on the LCD display.
If KDSP (DSP optional board) is installed: KDSP update will begin after KFRONT update will be completed, showing
“Updating KDSP” with a progress bar. After a few minutes, the KDSP update will be completed.
If KDSP is not installed: a warning message (“START ERROR” or “KDSP board not present”) is displayed, requiring a button
press confirmation to proceed.
Wait about 3 minutes (10 minutes if KDSP is installed), the time necessary for the KFRONT, KCNTRL and KDSP
microcontrollers update.
FOURTH STEP
When the message “Do you want to update SHARC DSP?” is displayed, press YES pushbutton. Only if KDSP board is
installed, the SHARC processor firmware update will be activated and it will last about 20 minutes. At the end a message
“Firmware update completed , press OK to restart” will indicate that the procedure has been successfully completed,
before restarting the amplifier please remove the firmware card.
LAST STEP
Verify the result of the firmware update procedure. Turn on the amplifier, go to Menu=>Setup=>Hardware Info and read the
version numbers. All installed boards must have the same version number, and the SHARC firmware version must be the
same written on the smartcard label. For example: KFRONT: 5.3.2-706 KCNTRL: 5.3.2-706 KDSP: 5.3.2-3034 KAESOP: 5.3.2D1804
FW version is 5.3.2. The last number on each line (after the hyphen) is the build count (meaningless) except for the KDSP
board. For the KDSP the last 4 digit number after the hyphen represents the SHARC firmware version (here it is 3034).
If something is mismatching, please check the smartcard version and the KAESOP file version matching, then retry the
entire procedure from the beginning.
Please remember that if firmware update process stops before completion (for mains drop or any other problem), it is
necessary to start it again from the beginning (switching the amplifier off and back on), as it could happen that 2 different
firmware versions are present in the amplifier different boards, causing possible problems to the amplifier itself.
Outline s.r.l. - Via Leonardo da Vinci, 56 - 25020 Flero (Brescia) - Italy
Tel. +39-30-3581341 Fax +39-30-3580431 — Web Site: www.outline.it E-Mail: info@outline.it
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Tseries firmware update procedure
Firmware update procedure
How to update TSeries amplifiers firmware
KAESOP BOARD FIRMWARE UPDATE WITH FIRMWARE UPDATER SOFTWARE
The KAESOP board firmware update must be performed using the Powersoft Firmware Updater software that can be
requested to Powersoft The software installer is zipped so it is necessary to unzip and install it following these steps:
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Tel. +39-30-3581341 Fax +39-30-3580431 — Web Site: www.outline.it E-Mail: info@outline.it
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Tseries firmware update procedure
Firmware update procedure
How to update TSeries amplifiers firmware
The Firmware Updater utility can be used to update the KAESOP board firmware with an easy guided procedure. The six
steps are shown in the following screenshots. The software can perform the update of an unlimited number of amplifiers in a
parallel manner, taking just a couple of minutes for completing the operation. Connect the PC to all the amplifiers with an
Ethernet network cable. Launch the Firmware updater software, and follow the steps.
Outline s.r.l. - Via Leonardo da Vinci, 56 - 25020 Flero (Brescia) - Italy
Tel. +39-30-3581341 Fax +39-30-3580431 — Web Site: www.outline.it E-Mail: info@outline.it
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Tseries firmware update procedure
Firmware update procedure
How to update TSeries amplifiers firmware
Outline s.r.l. - Via Leonardo da Vinci, 56 - 25020 Flero (Brescia) - Italy
Tel. +39-30-3581341 Fax +39-30-3580431 — Web Site: www.outline.it E-Mail: info@outline.it
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Tseries firmware update procedure
Firmware update procedure
How to update TSeries amplifiers firmware
WRITING A FIRMWARE UPDATE SMART CARD USING A POWERSOFT AMPLIFIER
It's possible to use the Firmware Updater software to write the firmware for Outline amplifiers on a Smart Card using a
TSeries amplifier as a smart card writer. The smart card with the firmware written from the amplifier can be used to update
other Outline amplifiers firmware.
After installing the Firmware Updater software and after following the steps described in the previous chapter named
“KAESOP board firmware update with Firmware Updater software” it is necessary to connect the computer to one or more
amplifiers by Ethernet using a RJ45 CAT5 cable (if the amplifier has KAESOP board installed) or by RS485 using the
Powersoft USB to RS485 converter. Please note that using more amplifiers, all connected through Ethernet or RS485, it is
possible to write at the same time more firmware Smart Card.
Please remember to ask to Outline for the last firmware file available, firmware file is the “outline_X.Y.Z.pff” for the TSeries
amplifiers.
Remember as well to use just Outline formatted smart card or previously written preset cards or Firmware cards after
V.3.26.4.
Before inserting the smart card in the amplifier it is necessary to press “menu” most right button on the amplifier front panel
or the amplifier will not detect the smart card!
Please follow these steps, clicking every time on the left green arrow to advance and write a smart card with Outline
firmware, if you need to update a TSeries amplifier select the file named outline_X.Y.Z.pff.
If the software does not find any amplifier please wait some more, the recognizing process can be quite slow even with an
Ethernet connection.
Please consider as well that the Smart Card writing process is pretty long, on an Ethernet connection will need about 40
minutes, on a RS485 connection about 1 hour.
Outline s.r.l. - Via Leonardo da Vinci, 56 - 25020 Flero (Brescia) - Italy
Tel. +39-30-3581341 Fax +39-30-3580431 — Web Site: www.outline.it E-Mail: info@outline.it
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Tseries firmware update procedure
Firmware update procedure
How to update TSeries amplifiers firmware
If the software will pop up the message down here please remember to press “menu”, most right button on amplifier front
panel before inserting the smart card or the amplifier will not detect the smart card.
Outline s.r.l. - Via Leonardo da Vinci, 56 - 25020 Flero (Brescia) - Italy
Tel. +39-30-3581341 Fax +39-30-3580431 — Web Site: www.outline.it E-Mail: info@outline.it
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Tseries firmware update procedure
Firmware update procedure
How to update TSeries amplifiers firmware
When the firmware card is ready you can remove it from the amplifier and use to update the firmware of any other Tseries
amplifier.
Outline s.r.l. - Via Leonardo da Vinci, 56 - 25020 Flero (Brescia) - Italy
Tel. +39-30-3581341 Fax +39-30-3580431 — Web Site: www.outline.it E-Mail: info@outline.it
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