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.
Fresh (first time) Firmware upload
Open the plugin Configuration window and click the MASTER BOARD button under the firmware uploading section.
If the connection is already established (firmware is working), you will see the text "The latest firmware is active" in the central section. If there is no connection (it is a new board or the board with firmware is physically disconnected), you will see this text: "Disconnect the board from USB and click the button".
Make sure the master board is not connected to USB and click the button. Next button will appear with the text: "Connect the board to USB and click the button". Plug the Mega2560 board to USB port and click the next button. The UPLOAD button will appear within 5 seconds. If the plugin connects to the board during this time, you'll see the "The latest firmware is active" message. If the plugin can not detect the board during this time, you'll see the "No Board Detected" message and [Start Over] button.
Click the button UPLOAD. The firmware uploading process will start. After the firmware is uploaded (it takes about 3-5 s) and a connection is established - the text "The latest firmware is active" appears.
Initial Board Test
Load a standard X-Plane aircraft (Baron 58).
Open the plugin Configuration window".
Select the TOGGLE SWITCH icon in the central section and click any pin on the master board on the left to "connect" it.
Select the LED icon in the central section and click pin #13 on the master board (it's on-board LED).
Open the MAIN FLIGHT CONTROLS" map under the "PREDEFINED FUNCTIONS" section in the right window.
Click a pin on the master board that has been assigned as toggle switch, the configuration window wll appear in the center.
Move the mouse pointer over the Parking Brake Handle picture and click it. The toogle switch will be configured.
Click pin #13 on the master board that has been assigned as LED, the LED configuration window wll appear in the center.
Move the mouse pointer over the Parking Brake ON annunciator picture and click it. The LED will be configured.
Connect a toggle switch to pin number that you have assigned for the switch (Pin-Switch-GND) and flip it on/off. (the LED, located on the board is used).
Close Configuration window" and flip the toggle switch on/off .
The on-screen Brake handle will change its position accordingly with your real switch. The on-board LED on the master board will change its state (Parking Brake is on/off).
This means your board is working correctly for inputs and outputs, and you can start wiring all input controls and output devices to the board and extesions and assign all of them in the plugin configurator
Firmware Auto-Update
The plugin checks the currently used firmware version on connection, and if it needs updating (the new stable firmwre 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.
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.
