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PMCEight Firmware update Procedure_2024

This document outlines the firmware update procedure for the PMC-Eight mount, specifically for version 20A02. It includes necessary equipment, step-by-step instructions for downloading and installing the software, and configuring the mount settings. The update process ensures compatibility with the latest ASCOM driver and provides guidance for verifying the successful installation of the firmware.

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joonplumblossom
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19 views5 pages

PMCEight Firmware update Procedure_2024

This document outlines the firmware update procedure for the PMC-Eight mount, specifically for version 20A02. It includes necessary equipment, step-by-step instructions for downloading and installing the software, and configuring the mount settings. The update process ensures compatibility with the latest ASCOM driver and provides guidance for verifying the successful installation of the firmware.

Uploaded by

joonplumblossom
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PMC-Eight Firmware Update Procedure

Original Document for PMC-Eight 20A01 Firmware by Jennifer Shelly, 24-Oct-2021


Modified for PMC-Eight 20A02 on 11-Nov-2024

Required:
Windows Computer/Tablet
FTDI Chipset USB to Serial Cable (Exos-2 or G-11)
USB Type A-to-5-Pin Mini-B Cable (IExos-100)
PMC-8 Mount

Step 1:
Download and unzip the "Explore Scientific Software Installation.exe".
The file is for upgrading to the latest ASCOM driver (ASCOM
ASCOM_ES_PMC8_Driver 7.0, Dated: 2024-06-15) and the mount firmware to 20A02.

The download link is below:


https://02d3287.netsolhost.com/pmc-eight/Explore%20Scientific%20Software
%20Installation.exe

Step 2:
If updating from a previous version:
Go into Control panel, Programs and Features, uninstall previous versions of the
ASCOM driver and any PMC-8 software (look in the alphabetic listing in the installed
programs).
After uninstalling the previous versions or a completely new install:
Go to the downloads (default download location) or where the file was saved after
downloading (if custom download location was set.
Step 3:
Open "Explore Scientific Software Installation.exe".
Windows will show system warnings. Depending on your system, Win 10 or Win 11,
follow the instructions below:
The first is "Windows protected your PC". Click "More info" and "Run anyway".
The second is "Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make
changes to your device?" and click "Yes".

Step 4:
Run "Explore Scientific Software Installation.exe" and follow the instructions. Then click
"Finish".
The execution will install the ASCOM driver version 7.0 in the system and the Universal
Firmware Update Tool (UFCT), version 1.4.

You can check the control panel of the windows system.

This version of the driver is compatible only with the firmware version that will be
installed into the mount. It is not backward compatible with the previous versions of the
mount firmware or the previous versions of Universal Firmware Update Tool (UFCT).
For further details on the software, read the ReadMe.txt file in C:\ES_PMC8_Utilities.txt
and the pdf file C:/ES_PMC8_Utilities/PMC-Eight%20Mount%20Setup%20Quick
%20Guide%201.pdf
The installation will create a new folder in the system disk C:
Step 5:
Plug in USB cable per your mount shown in "Required" above and power the mount.

Step 6:
Find the shortcut "PMC8ConfigurationManager" on your desktop or the PMC-Eight
Universal Configuration Tool as in the screenshot above and double click to open.

Step 7:
When the UFCT opens you will see "CONFIGURATON UNKNOWN" at the top. Select
your "COM Port" and "Mount TYPE" from the lists and click "GET Current
Configuration".
If you want to use WiFi check the box "ESP WiFi Module UDP/IP Enabled". If you are
using a handheld device with WiFi check "TRACK on Loss of Comms ENABLED".
If you are in the Northern Hemisphere check "NORTHERN Hemisphere ENABLED".
Once you have checked what you need then click "SET New Configuration". You will
receive an "UPDATE SUCCESSFUL!" message and the PMC-8 system will reboot.
Tip: If you do not know your COM port number then open "Device Manager" in
Windows, expand "Ports (COM & LPT)", disconnect then reconnect your USB cable
from your PC, and make note of the COM port number. Close "Device Manager".
Step 8:

Click on the "Firmware" tab, browse to C:\ES_PMC8_Utilities (as in the screenshot


above), select "20A02.0.binary", and click "Flash Selected". You will see "Warning -
Use Carefully" and click "OK" two times.
When complete, close the "Explore Scientific PMC-Eight" Configuration Manager".
Step 9:
Click "REBOOT Show Splash" to verify your settings. You will be able to see what
Firmware version is installed and the Options you selected in Step 9.
Close the UFCT and your unzipped folder.

YOU HAVE NOW SUCCESSFULLY UPDATED YOUR PMC-8 FIRMWARE.


For the further set up of the PMC mount set up within ASCOM, please see this
message on ESPMC Main.
The document in the post linked below has screenshots from the older version of UFCT.
Those screenshots do not affect the intended purpose of the document.
https://espmc-eight.groups.io/g/MAIN/message/7149

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