Before updating firmware in a ControlSpace device, it is good practice to ensure that any existing design has been pulled from the DSP device and saved on the computer. This is important as a precaution against any problems that might occur during the firmware update, such as a loss of power. There may also be some cases in which an older design will not run properly with newer firmware. After loading new firmware, it is always recommended to Go Online and use Send to Devices to ensure that the design file properly matches the firmware.

Relevant Product(s)

• ControlSpace Designer

Procedure

Normally, a design can be retrieved from the device by simply going online and using Get from Devices. If the device has older firmware, this may be impossible because ControlSpace Designer may not be able to go online with the device until after the firmware has been updated. In most cases, however, it is best to use the commissioned version of software/firmware to make minor updates to the design file. In order to determine the version of ControlSpace Designer that created the existing project file, see the article "Save Retrieved Design to File Using ControlSpace Designer."

In the event that installing the commissioned version of ControlSpace Designer is not possible, using the Retrieve Saved Design command in the System menu will allow a copy of the project file to be saved for safe keeping.

Before starting, ensure that project network properties are configured properly for the system in question.

When executing the Retrieve Saved Design command, ControlSpace Designer will retrieve the existing design from the DSP without trying to go online to the device. After retrieving the design, save it to the computer.

NOTE: When the design is saved during this step, it will be saved (and likely updated) in whichever version of ControlSpace Designer is being used to perform the Retrieve Saved Design action. 

Perform the firmware update, and then Go Online and Send to Devices.