User Guide

Knowledge Base

Update Firmware


Firmware for the X2 data logger is updated periodically to account for new features, more environmental sensors, and any bug fixes. Upon request, a technical support technician at NexSens Technology will provide a ‘.bin’ file containing the latest firmware update. This file must then be transferred to the proper folder for CONNECT to complete the update. Windows automatically hides the CONNECT directory containing this folder from view, thus it is unavailable within the PC’s local drive. Use the following process to locate the correct folder and transfer the latest firmware file.

Firmware File Location

  1. Once receiving the firmware file from a NexSens technician and downloading it to a known location, open the CONNECT software.
  2. Go to the DATA tab, then click Open Data Folder
    1. The hidden directory for the CONNECT software will now be visible in the PC’s file explorer.
      • Ex: “C:\ProgramData\NexSens\CONNECT\Data”
  1. Move out of the Data folder by clicking CONNECT at the top of the file explorer to open the CONNECT folder.
    1. The CONNECT folder should contain an internal folder titled FirmwareUpdate.
      • Ex: “C:\ProgramData\NexSens\CONNECT”
  1. Open the FirmwareUpdate folder and copy the new ‘.bin’ file into the folder.
    1. Since CONNECT always looks for the latest firmware image based on the firmware version and date code embedded in the ‘.bin’ file name, there is no need to remove any other firmware files in the folder.
      • Ex: “C:\ProgramData\NexSens\CONNECT\FirmwareUpdate”
        • If the “FirmwareUpdate” folder is not visible, create a folder with that exact name and copy the firmware file into the newly created folder. The CONNECT software will pull from that directory.

Code Update

  1. Connect the X2 logger to a PC. Test connection by reading the RTC clock of the logger in the CONFIG tab.
  2. Navigate to Tool | Code Update.

Figure 1: Navigate to Tool | Code Update.

 

  1. The Firmware Update main menu will appear.

Figure 2: Firmware Update menu.

 

  1. Choose the appropriate Firmware Type from the drop-down list.
    1. For most applications, the base firmware will be updated. Ensure to check with the NexSens technician before beginning the firmware update.
  1. Click Start Update.
    1. Note that this process can take up to 30 minutes to complete (~10 minutes is typical).
    2. If the firmware update fails midway through, click Continue Update until the update is complete.

Figure 3: Firmware update started.

 

  1. When the firmware update has been completed, two dialog boxes will appear in succession indicating it has successfully initialized and installed.
  1. Exit the firmware update menu.

Figure 4: Update complete, exit update menu.

 

  1. On the Configuration tab, click the Reset X2 button to finalize the firmware update.
    1. This should occur in ~10 seconds.
    2. For pole mount X2 data loggers, an orange light will be on constantly, indicating that the firmware update is still in progress. Once the update is complete, the light patterns will return to normal.
    3. For X2-CB and X2-SDL data loggers, the data logger will not beep on powerup as usual. Once the firmware update is complete, the logger will beep once, followed by two beeps for signal connection.

 

  1. Following reset and completion, confirm the updated firmware version. Go to Tool | RTU and read the X2 Info at the bottom of the interface.
    1. The base firmware should contain the newest firmware version.