ElmoMC SimplIQ Software Manual - Manual (Page 11)

SimplIQ Software Manual Communication with the Host
MAN-SIMSW (Ver. 1.4)
2-2
ƒ Operational software (firmware), which may be updated at the user site if upgrades
or modifications are required. .
ƒ A supportive database that is loaded to the serial flash memory. This database serves
as a filing system for personality descriptions, storage of the application database and
storage of factory- or user-provided programs. .
2.1.1 Boot Software
The boot software performs the following functions:
ƒ
Initializes certain DSP registers.
ƒ Automatically validates test codes. If code validation fails, it transfers automatically
to Download Firmware mode.
ƒ Handles and interprets degenerated communication, at the level required for
firmware downloading functions.
ƒ Supports firmware downloads to the on-chip flash memory.
ƒ Transfers control to firmware.
2.1.2 Firmware
The firmware implements all other software functions, as described in this manual and in
the
SimplIQ Command Reference Manual. The firmware transfers control to the boot
software when a download firmware (DF) command initiates a firmware version
upgrade. At the end of the firmware downloading process, the
SimplIQ drive reboots.
2.1.3 Personality
The personality data is loaded to the serial flash memory. It includes a file allocation
table and several files containing data about the
SimplIQ drive, including:
ƒ List of supported commands
ƒ List of error codes
ƒ CAN EDS (not yet implemented)
All data items in the personality enable the IDE to deal with the SimplIQ drive. The File
Allocation table reserves space for the storage of application parameters and user
programs. The personality data is burnt into the serial flash memory using the firmware
software. The firmware can boot without personality data, but it does not become fully
functional before the personality data is programmed in place. Full explanations of the
personality data are given in
Appendix A .
2.2 Related Software
The Elmo Composer application, which runs on a PC under Microsoft Windows,
provides the supporting software used to set up, tune, program and assess the
performance of
SimplIQ drives. Among its many tools, the Composer contains:
ƒ Setup and tuning tools:
ƒ Menus for entering basic application data and limits