¶ BB3 mainboard upgrade procedure
Upgrading procedure for BB3 mainboard (MB) is a risky procedure and improper implementation can cause MB malfunction. Please, read ALL instructions before you proceed with an upgrade. Then when you are ready to start the upgrade, go through the proceedure step by step sequentially using this document as guide. If you not sure about any of instructions, ask in the whatsapp technical group. Although the procedure itself is very easy, following contitions must be considered a followed:
- All swiches, chargers and accessories must be switched OFF state or disconnected from BB3 mainboard throughout the programing process.
- Solar panels also must be disconnected.
- Remove SIM card or unplug the whole GSM module from the board before programming.
- Power MB from your programmer ONLY.
- Make sure that connection between programmer and MB is firm and stable.
- Programming device, programmer and MB must lay securely on the desk, not in your hands.
- NEVER disconnect or move programmer during the programming process is complete (either successfuly or with errors).
- Always check if battery power of you programming device (Phone / Tablet / Laptop) has sufficient battery charge to complete programming process. This may take up to two minutes of high power drain from your device.
- Use original AVR programmer (hardware) sent with the equipment from UNITRONIC as it is upgraded to lastest firmware version. Even a newly purchased AVR programmer may have a bug in its firmware and may not work for high memory processors such as the one on BB3. Upgraded programmer MUST be used!
What does NOT matter:
- you can connect or disconnect programmer at any time before you starting the programming process
- if you insert programmer a different way, it does not cause any harm to the device. Simply unplug and re-orient and re-insert the programmer.
- you can leave all connectors, plugs and antennas connected to the MB if all protection switches are off
¶ Preparing software
Backup all necessary informations before an update because all the following sttings are erased after firmware update:
- Temperature sensors assignment
- BB_ID (Main Menu 9)
- Security PIN
If the BB has been operating in the field, it may be storing valid data that has not been uploaded to the BBServer, make sure that: - you force all records to be sent to the BBserver
Make note of all other settings and common configurations such as: - temperatures
- coding
- spot lengths
- etc.
¶ Preparing Hardware
Ensure that all switches (AC/DC/CP/TX) are off, Make sure mainboard and whole BB is not powered either form AC, battery or solar.
Then, remove six screws from the MB lid and open it by pulling up. Some light bars might drop down to the MB box, retrieve them and set aside. If you are able to put the programming device close to the MB, you don't need to remove MB from the BB3 box. Note that if you are using longer programming ribbon cable, slower programming (BAUD) rate must be used. I recommend to use shorter programming cable (cca 20cm)
As the MB is open, following things must be in an order:
¶ Remove SIM card or whole GSM module
As the GSM module works automatically as its powered, its necessary to shut it down through programming and avoid power bursts when connecting/registering onto the network. The easiest way is:
- to remove SIM card which prevents connection to the network.
- to remove whole GSM module. The module is not fastened to anything, you can easily pull it up from the plug. Be careful when you put it back, there are no guides on the plug and GSM module may be easily misaligned from the connecting pins.
¶ Connect programmer between programming device and the board
Check if voltage selection jumper is on a 5V (right side)
¶ Note exact plug position
If plug inserted properly, MB should boot normally to the standard procedure. Don't forget that the MB should only be powered by the AVR Programmer.
¶ Start programming
Keep your hands off the MB and the programmer, double check if connection is stable as there are no loose or unstable connections, then you can start the programming procedure.This is the most critical part of the whole process. As you start programming, there must NOT be any interruption.
¶ Programming results
If programming does not start and/or there are error messages, simply disconnect programmer from USB and reconnect again. Make sure the plug and MB connections are firm, just by press and slightly shaking. Then proceed with programming again. If programming starts, there wil be one of the following results:
- Error through programming or verification: if it was not due to the movement, reduce the programming speed (baud rate) and ensure secure cable connections
- "Lfuse changed" message: press CTRL+C or ABORT programming without chosing y/n
- Successful programming: no error messages
¶ Successful programming
When programming is sucessful, the MB restarts with factory settings. Proceed with a screen touchpad calibration. If screen freezes through calibation, force reset by reset button and hold both buttons below service display until you get message "Factory reset". Then repeat calibration process.
You should get points close to the pen if calibration okay. If point are too far from the points the pen touches on the screen, repeat calibration and tick a bit off the points in the "uncertain" point direction. Note that each side has its calibration.
From experience, when calibrating points 2 & 3, clicking a few millimetters to the right of points 2 and 3 usually gives the best results. If success, press OK.
¶ Put back the hardware
Disconnect programmer. Insert sim or whole GSM module, double check if module inserted properly. Power MB from the primary source, DC switch. It should boot normally.
Note: If MB is not powered from main source, it might be not fully working even it seems boot normally. Power from the programmer is not sufficient to power periferies such temperature sensors or MP3 player, etc. So don't forget to power MB from main source to pass following procedures:
¶ Check connection
Insert a valid SIM and connect a GSM antenna, goto Main Menu 9 and select "logger settings"
Log menu should appear. Check if there are not warnings on a service display and press manual trigger for a few seconds and stop it again. Log like this should appear:
Then you can check if this record appears on BBserver under default BBiD
¶ Re-configure
Goto temperature sensors assign menu and return all values which differs back to previous ones. Don't forget to fill other user configurations also, but temperature sensors are essential for safety reasons. If you forgot to record sensor positions, there is a procedure how to find them but it's not a quite easy so better to don't forget to note or take photo of those settings before upgrade.
Important note: Do not start programming if you are not sure about what you are doing. Rather to ask in the technical group. There is NO RECOVERY if programming fails and the porcessor got programmed wrongly. The only hot air gun processor replacement or MB exchage is a solution!!!