Firmware

Firmware can be updated in ways listed below.

Contents

  1. Project Download
  2. Via Firmware Management
  3. Ladder Function, LF: Update Application and Firmware
  4. Export/Import a Project as a File
  5. How to Downgrade Firmware (after installing BIN 1.29 and up)

Project Download

When you download a project, UniLogic checks to see if the firmware in the controller is compatible with the UniLogic version.

If not, UniLogic displays the following message, which includes directions for updating the firmware.

In some cases, the download might proceed, but when it is complete, the controller panel displays a message with instructions: HMI Version Mismatch message.HMI Version Mismatch message.

Note that after a firmware update, the controller may need to be turned off and on (powering-off and powering-on).

Windows XP: If you use Windows XP, you will need to install a USB Driver before you can establish UniStream - PC communications and download programs.

 

Via Firmware Management

The PLC tab on the program ribbon offers Firmware Management tools.

Click Firmware Manager to locate all firmware files on your PC. If you have an Internet connection, you can click Update Firmware to connect to the Unitronics website and download any new firmware releases.

 

  1. Click Firmware Manager to locate all firmware files on your PC.
    Note that if you have an Internet connection, you can click Update Firmware to connect to the Unitronics website and download any new firmware releases.

  2. Place a DOK into the UniStream's USB port.DOK into the UniStream's USB port.
    Note that the DOK must formatted to FAT32, be of at least 4G capacity, and have sufficient free space to contain the firmware.

    DOK stands for Disk On Key.
    This may also be referred to as a USB Stick, Memory Stick, USB Drive, Flash Drive, or Flash Stick.

     

  3. Enter UniApps, select Upgrades, and then System> Panel Upgrade.

  4. Press Upgrade PLC, and follow the on-screen directions.

 

Ladder Function, LF: Update Application and Firmware

You can use the Update Application function to install a project file in order to upgrade an existing application, or application and firmware from a compressed, encrypted project file on an SD card or USB flash drive that is installed in a controller.

To learn how to create these files, refer to the topic Export a project as a File.

Note that the controller model, OS, and Hardware Configuration are part of the project file, and it must match that of the controller you wish to upgrade.

 

 

Parameter Name

Purpose

A

Device Type

Select SD card or DOK (USB Flash Drive)

B

Project File path

This is the location and name of the file to install. The file path contains a preface, the type of drive, the file name, and the extension, separated by slashes.

  • The syntax must be exactly as shown below.

  • The maximum number of path characters is 255, including file name and file extension.

 

 

Preface

Type

Name

Extension

USB Flash drive

UNI/UserFS

UsbDisk1

MyFileName

.zip.encrypted

Full syntax

/UNI/UserFS/UsbDisk1/MyProjectName.zip.encrypted

SD Card

UNI/UserFS

ExternalSd

MyFileName

.zip.encrypted

Full syntax

/UNI/UserFS/ExternalSd/MyProjectName.zip.encrypted

B

Status

The value indicates the status of the function:

 0 - No error

 1 - Function started

 2 - Function in Progress

 -1 - No USB removable drive

-2 - No External SD Card

-3 - Invalid path

-4 -File does not exist

-5 - Model name does not exist

-6 - Wrong password

-7 -Model type does not match

-8 -Password does not match

-9 -Serial number in project does not match the controller's serial number

 

Export/Import a Project as a File

You can export a complete project to a local or external drive, and then import/upgrade the exported Project File into any number of PLCs as a new project, or use it to update an existing base project.

Exported files may be:

You can import a project file via:

The file created will be both zipped and encrypted, and bear the name of your project, such as MyProjectName.zip.encrypted.

Updating Projects: Cautionary Guidelines

Before you install an Exported Project file to update the same project that is already in the PLC, take into account certain issues that may affect that PLC’s program and function, especially regarding a PLC running an application in the field.

Please read and understand the following guidelines:

Note that ‘same project’ refers to the project originally downloaded to, and currently installed in the PLC.


Specific issues include:

The same is true for Retained Tags in user-created Structs. If the Struct definition is changed, the values in the fields after importing the application are unpredictable.

Data Tables are based on Structs. Therefore, in the case of Retained Data Tables, changes in the Struct, or the number of rows will cause reallocation of memory, and the resulting values are unpredictable.

Exporting the project

Select Project>Downloads> Export project and firmware to a File to open the file settings.

Basic Settings tab

Under Location, select Local or Removable Drive and navigate to the desired location. Note that you will not be able to create a file or save your settings until you check that you have read and understood Updating Projects: Cautionary Guidelines.

Passwords tab

Your selections will be embedded in the Export file and installed with the project.

 

Overwritten Settings

You have the option to modify Overwritten Settings in your Exported Project file.

By default, with the exception of  Panel IP and CPU IP addresses,  all Overwrite Settings are checked. If the Exported Project file you install is the same as the project currently in the PLC, the selected settings below will be overwritten at import. ‘Same' refers to projects that are created from the same baseline project.

You can use these settings to control whether certain parameters will be overwritten when the project is installed in the PLC.
Review this list carefully, and select/deselect according to your requirements; for example, you may not want to overwrite the Panel IP address currently in the PLC, or Passwords.  

 

Allowed PLCS

You can restrict the project installation to specific PLCs by including their serial numbers in the file.

Note that if an attempt is made to install the file in a PLC with a serial number that is not included in this file, the ladder function Update Ladder will give the error -9 Serial number in project does not match serial number in PLC.

Include Firmware

You can include a specific version of firmware in your file.

Importing/Upgrading Projects

You can do this via UniApps, or via Ladder Function.

UniApps: Import Application

Enter UniApps > System > User App Upgrade, and select Import Application according to the storage type.

Import Application & Firmware

Under Panel Upgrade, you can select to Update App and Firmware, or Update Firmware from either USB or DOK.

 

How to Downgrade Firmware (after installing BIN 1.29 and up)

Follow the instructions below in order to implement remote downgrade of a PLC with Firmware version 1.29.X or higher to a lower version:

  1. Locate the path of your previous UniLogic version Bin upgrade folder,
    for example: C:\Program Files (x86)\Unitronics\UniLogic_1.28.34.0\Upgrade\BIN


     

  2. Copy the .rar file in that folder to your current (last installed) UniLogic version Bin upgrade folder:
    :\ProgramData\Unitronics\UniLogic\Upgrade\BIN

  3. Open the 1.29.X UniLogic version

  4. Open UniStream Management -> Remote Upgrade and you will see the old Firmware version you want to downgrade to:

  5. Choose the IP Address / USB Port the PLC is connected to.

  6. Choose your preferred media (SD or USB/DOK Stick)

  7. Click on the Firmware version to choose it (in this case, 1.28.58)

  8. Click "Update" to begin the remote update.

 

 

Related Topic

Unitronics UMD Servo Firmware Update