Dick, Would it be possible to check each record or block of data for validity (checksum, CRC, etc.) and acknowledge (ACK) or request a resend (NAK) from the PC before writing it to flash? If a data block is corrupted a resend could be quested multiple times before giving up, declaring an error and "bricking" the radio.
Another option would be to validate the serial connection with some test data before starting the actual download. As a bare minimum, I would suggest a warning box that would popup when a download is started. Something like: "Do not attempt this with a microHAM USB interface or any other non-compatible interface - Click OK to proceed". I do highly commend Elecraft for including a "bootstrap loader" in the firmware which allows the user to correct the problem without having to send the radio back to the factory which is the case with many other upgradeable products. 73, - Craig, AE6RR -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 1:08 PM To: [email protected] Cc: Elecraft; [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: K3 Failed DSP Firmware Download The PIC18F8722 microcontroller used has 128KB of flash program memory and a bit less than 4KB of RAM. Its a Harvard architecture machine, not the Von Neumann model. Your "simple" suggestion is infeasible. There is no place on chip to buffer the firmware in its entirety. Dick, K6KR On Feb 6, 2011, at 14:53, Ross Primrose N4RP <[email protected]> wrote: > On 2/6/11 3:36 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> I do not know how any additional degree of "robustness" in K3 Utility >> could correct for that condition. >> > > Simple... Don't write ANYTHING to the K3 EEPROM (I assume) until the K3 > has received the ENTIRE firmware file w/o errors. Blocks with errors can > always be resent.... > > 73, Ross N4RP > > -- > FCC Section 97.313(a) "At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications." > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
