ESTEEM 195C Series Firmware Update September Instruction Manual

ESTEEM 195C Series Firmware Update September

Product Information

• ESTeem 195 Narrowband Series
  • The ESTeem 195 Narrowband Series is a set of radios that provide reliable communication within a network.
  • These radios come in different models, including the 195M (150-174 MHz), 195H (217-220 MHz), and 195C (450-470 MHz). The radios can be updated with the latest firmware to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
• Specifications
  • Firmware Compatibility: Versions from March 2022 or newer
  • Recommended Update: All radios in the network should be updated to the same firmware version
  • Power Requirement: Do not remove power from the radio during updates

Product Usage Instructions

• Phase 1: Discover Suite Utility Installation
  • Download and install the ESTeem Discover Suite Utility from the official website at https://www.esteem.com/esteem-utilities/
• Ensure the utility is operational
  • Connect the ESTeem radio to the computer
  • Press the “Discover” button in the lower-left corner of the utility to find the connected radio
• Phase 2: Firmware Update
  • Verify that the computer and radio are on the same TCP/IP subnet. If not, either change the IP address of the radio or the computer to match.
  • In the Discover Suite Utility, select the radio to update, right-click, and choose “195NB Setup Tool” from the menu
  • The 195 Narrowband Configuration Utility will launch and verify communication with the radio
  • If a Firmware Update is required, click the “OK” button and then click the “Update Firmware” button to continue
  • The radio will begin the update process and display the progress until completion
  • The Utility will reset the radio and close the application for the second phase of the update
• Phase 3: Bootloader Update
  • Reopen the 195 Configuration software from Phase 1
• Select the “Firmware” tab in the Utility
  • Click the “Update Bootloader” button to update the bootloader
  • Wait for the bootloader update to complete and the “done” message to display
• Phase 4: Finalize Firmware Installation
  • On the same screen, click the “Update Firmware” button again
  • Confirm that the Firmware is up to date and click the “Yes” button to complete the update
  • The Utility will update the radio, reset it, and close
  • Open the Utility once more with the Discovery function and configure as needed
• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
  • Q: Where can I download the ESTeem Discover Suite Utility?
  • A: You can download the ESTeem Discover Suite Utility at no cost from the official ESTeem website at https://www.esteem.com/esteem-utilities/.
  • Q: Can I update the firmware of the ESTeem 195 Narrowband radios individually?
  • A: It is recommended to update all radios in the network to the same firmware version at the same time for reliable communication.
  • Q: What should I do if the Firmware Update is interrupted?
  • A: Do not remove power from the radio during the update process. If the update is interrupted, restart the update procedure from the beginning.

Overview

• This firmware release for the ESTeem 195 Narrowband series is a generational update that will require all radios in the network to be above firmware version 202203171222 (March 2022 or newer) to communicate reliably.
• This firmware release consolidated three previous versions into a single revision.
• Multiple software commands, security, radio parameters and features were added to this release that can only be utilized when all radios are of the same firmware revision.
• No hardware updates to the radio are conducted, so if a previous version of the firmware is working for your application and the new features are not needed, the 195 Narrowband radios can be downgraded to a previous version.
• Contact technical support at support@esteem.com. or 509-735-9092 for complete details.

Caution: Installation of this firmware will make communication to firmware versions older than March 2022 unreliable. It is recommended that all radios in the network update to this firmware version at the same time. Do not remove power from the radio during any of the following updates.

New Features

• In this firmware update, the following new features were implemented:
• Configuration Tool Updates – The configuration tool has been updated for a simplified basic configuration. There is only a single firmware version so no selection between serial, DF1, or Ethernet bridge is required. The diagnostics and spectrum analyzer utilities have been simplified and optimized.
• Serial Interface – The serial interface and associated protocol emulations have been optimized and operation through multiple repeater sites has been corrected.
• Ethernet Interface – The Ethernet bridge interface has been optimized and now includes both an ARP packet proxy and a “Keep-Alive” proxy for a better interface to larger networks.

Update Procedure

NOTE: If updating a 195Narrowband firmware version from March 2022 or newer, only Phase 3 (Firmware Update) is required. The 195 Narrowband Configuration Tool used to complete firmware update and configuration of the radios is installed with the ESTeem Discover Suite Utility. The Discovery Suite Utility and installation instructions can be downloaded at no cost from our website at https://www.esteem.com/esteem-utilities/. This same procedure will completed for all models of ESTeem 195 Narrowband radios; 195M (150-174 MHz), 195H (217-220 MHz) or 195C (450-470 MHz). The software update is completed in three phases.

• Phase 1 – Firmware Preparation. This will add the new software commands and adapt any older commands.
• Phase 2 – Bootloader Update. This will update the radio bootloader to the latest version.
• Phase 3 – Firmware Update. This final phase will update all parameters of the firmware for operation.

Firmware Preparation

Phase 1 – Firmware Preparation

1. Once the ESTeem Discover Suite Utility has been installed and is operational, press the “Discover” button in the lower left corner to find the ESTeem radio connected to the computer.

2. Verify the computer and radio are on the same TCP/IP subnet. If different, you can change the IP address of the radio (Figure 1) or change the IP address of the computer to match the radio.

3. Select the radio to update, press the right mouse button and select 195NB Setup Tool from the menu (Figure1). Figure 1: Select 195 Narrowband Software

4. The 195 Narrowband Configuration Utility will launch. Once the utility verifies communication with the radio, a message stating that a “Firmware Update is Required” (Figure 2) will be displayed. The only options available currently in the utility are to update the firmware. Press the “OK” button. Once the message window is cleared, press the “Update Firmware” button on the screen to continue.

5. The radio will begin the update and display the progress until completion. The Utility will reset the radio and close the application for the second Phase of the update. Figure 2: Update Required Screen
   Phase 2 – Bootloader Update

6. The process for updating the Bootloader is almost identical to what was completed in Phase 1. Reopen the 195 Configuration software (Figure 1) as shown above.

7. There will be multiple tabs now available in the Utility but select the Firmware tab (Figure 3) and press the “Update Bootloader” button to continue.

8. The bootloader will update and once complete the “done” message will display (Figure 3). Figure 3:Bootloader Update
   Phase 3 – Firmware Update

9. This last Phase will update all parameters to the bootloader and finalize the installation of the firmware.

10. On the same screen as shown in Figure 3, press the “Update Firmware” once again and the message that the Firmware is up to date (Figure 4) will be displayed. Press the “Yes” button to complete the update. The Utility will update the radio, reset the radio, and close it. Open one more time with the Discovery and configure.

    • Figure 4: Final Firmware Update Message

ESTeem 195 Narrowband (195M, 195H & 195C) Series
Firmware Update – September 2023 (DiscoverySuite Version 20230915104841– Firmware 202309011047)
Revised: 19 September 2023 ESTeem 195 Narrowband Series  195 Narrowband Series Update

References

• ESTeem Utilities - ESTeem

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