User's Manual

AR24027 Operator’s Manual (rev A)
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to insure the radio is running the latest version.
4.5.4 Installing new firmware using the RS-232 serial port
On occasion, it may be necessary to install new firmware using the RS-232 port. This is generally a
less desirable method as the download time is much longer and you can only update the radio that is
directly connected to the PC, i.e., remote updates are not possible.
The serial upgrade uses a PC with a terminal emulator. Any emulator can be used, however, it must
have the facility to download a text file on demand. In the example below, the emulator used is
Windows Hyperterminal.
1. Connect the AR24027 Auxiliary Port (3 pin circular connector) to a terminal, or a PC running a
terminal emulation program. A special adapter cable is supplied by AFAR. Configure the
terminal settings as follows:
Baud rate: 9600
Word length: 8 bits
Parity: none
Stop bits: 1
2. Verify that the new software is available in the PC. The download software for the serial upgrade
must have a “.dwn” extension, e.g., tdd01_05.dwn.
3. To have the shortest download time possible, set the radio to use the highest RS-232 speed
allowable on the PC. In this example, a download speed of 57600 baud will be used. Set the
console speed of the radio to 57600 baud by issuing the command:
>console-speed-bps 57600
4. Change the baud rate of the PC to match the radio. Remember that with Hyperterminal, you must
disconnect the session and re-connect before the changes will take effect. Verify the PC
communicates with the radio again.
5. If the radio configuration has been password protected, you must first unlock the protection with
the command:
>unlock enable-configuration=password
(when the configuration is unlocked, the radio prompt ends with the characters ‘#>. In locked
mode the prompt does not include the ‘#’ character).
6. Issue the command:
>directory
to view a list of files stored in Flash PROM as well as the available free space. Verify that there
is enough free space in flash PROM for the new file. The space required will be the size of the
tddNN_NN.dwn file divided by 2.5. If there is not enough space in Flash PROM delete one of
the program files to make up space (use command >delete filename).
7. Start the download process by typing:
>download-file destination=tddNN_NN method=inline
where NN_NN file is new version of software being installed.
8. The radio will return with the following:
“Send the file ... if incomplete, end with a line with just a period”