SimVimX Firmware

Categories: START

The SimVimX Firmware needs to be uploaded only once, directly in the SimVimX plugin configuration window.
Then the firmware will be automatically uploaded to the board by the plugin when the next firmware version released.

You can see the firmware version on every connected LCD after the config initialization in the second line.

This guide is only for SimVimX version 3.xx, which will be released soon!For older version 2.22 go here.

Firmware Auto-Update

The plugin checks the currently used firmware version on connection, and if it needs updating (the new stable firmware is included to the plugin or plugin finds a beta SimVimX file in the plugin folder), the program uploads the new firmware to the board and then establishes connection. There’s nothing more for you to do for the serial USB version.

Firmware check / upload

Click the MASTER BOARD button under the “SLAVE BOARDS” section in the Configuration window
If the connection is already established (firmware is working), you will see the text “The latest firmware is used and active“.

Fresh (first time) Firmware upload

STEP 1.
Make sure the Mega2560 board is not connected to USB or disconnect it, click the lower button, wait the step 2
STEP 2.
Connect your board to USB port and click the next button. The next “UPLOAD” step will appear within 5 seconds.
STEP 3.
Click the [UPLOAD] button.
When available, select the master board number.
The firmware uploading process starts.
It takes about 5 seconds, you can see both Rx/Tx on-board LEDs flashing
After the firmware is uploaded (it takes about 3-5 s) and a connection is established – the text “Upload Successful” appears.
After uploading and a connection is established – the text “The latest firmware is used and active“ appears.
Close the Firmware window

NOTE: If the plugin can not detect the board after STEP 2, you’ll see the “No Board Detected” message and [Start Over] button:

If the plugin can not detect the board after STEP 2, you’ll see the “No Board Detected” message and [Start Over] button

Connection, notes

  • The plugin should always establish connection automatically every time X-Plane is started.
  • Note for Linux users: Some Linux distributions do not grant the user access to serial ports by default. In this case you need to add your user name to the “dialout” group.
  • When you change the I/O settings in the configuration window, all changes are saved immediately, no reconnection is required.

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