User Manual

Performance Flags

The errors tab also shows which performance flags have been set. This feature only applies to the

Mini Maestro 12, 18, and 24. The performance flags indicate that the processor missed a deadline for

performing a servo control task, and as a result the Maestro’s servo control got slowed down in some

way. Performance flags should not occur during normal operation as long as your settings are within

with the limitations described in Section 9.

4.f. Upgrading Firmware

Please do not attempt to upgrade your Maestro’s firmware unless you know what you are

doing. Most customers do not need to upgrade their firmware.

The firmware is the program that runs on the Maestro. The Maestro has field-upgradeable firmware

that can be easily updated with bug fixes or new features. There are four types of Maestros: the

Micro Maestro 6-Channel USB Servo Controller (usc02a), the Mini Maestro 12-Channel USB Servo

Controller (usc03a), the Mini Maestro 18-Channel USB Servo Controller (usc03b), and the Mini

Maestro 24-Channel USB Servo Controller (usc03c). Each type of Maestro has its own firmware and

you cannot load the firmware for one type onto another.

Firmware Versions

• Firmware Version 1.00: This is the original version of the firmware.

• Firmware Version 1.01 for the Micro Maestro 6-Channel USB Servo Controller: This

firmware version was released on 2009-11-19 for the Micro Maestro only. It contains a bug-

fix that makes “Ignore” mode servos behave correctly at startup.

• Firmware Version 1.02: This firmware version was released on 2013-06-20 for all four types

of Maestros. This firmware version fixes a problem where in some cases the position of a

servo with an acceleration limit would never settle to the target value. This update also fixes

some minor problems with error handling. For the Mini Maestros, this update also fixes the

yellow LED to blink the same way that it does on the Micro Maestro.

• Firmware Version 1.03: This firmware version was released on 2016-05-06 for all four types

of Maestros. This firmware version fixes an issue that prevented the Maestros from working

on macOS 10.11 or later.

• Firmware Version 1.04 for the Micro Maestro 6-Channel USB Servo Controller: This

firmware version was released on 2019-06-10 for the Micro Maestro only. It fixes a bug

where receiving a serial command could potentially interfere with the Maestro’s servo update

routine, causing position updates for some servos to happen too soon or to be skipped

entirely. Repeated serial commands at high baud rates could also trap the Maestro in the

4. Using the Maestro Control Center Page 41 of 102