System - microHAM ARCO Manual

microHAM © 2021 All rights reserved

System

ARCO hardware is build on two 32-bit micro-controllers. One is dedicated to the motor control,
second for user interface and communication. First line shows installed firmware version for
both micro-controllers. Firmware update updates both micro-controllers at once.
FIRMWARE UPDATE: Primary method of updating firmware in the ARCO is to do this directly
from the box. Update requires ARCO connected to the local LAN network connected to the
Internet.
By touching LOAD button ARCO connects to microHAM's private server where checks for
available files. Provided are at least two firmware versions, last stable version marked
CURRENT and PREVIOUS stable version if for some reason you want to step one stable
version back. There can be more versions shown like beta version if you want to have inside
view of future update or specific test version to check some new feature requirements. Any
other version than CURRENT and PREVIOUS have no functionality guaranteed.
After touching on particular firmware version text or LOAD button, next process is automatic.
ARCO first downloads update to its internal flash memory and if download passes without any
integrity check errors, update procedure starts automatically. During update display is blank,
various leds blink or lit, just wait until update finishes and ARCO boots to its main screen, it
takes a while, up to one minute.
Do not turn ARCO power off or disconnect LAN cable during the update. No damage will occur
but you'll have to repeat update procedure again or perform update from the USB flash drive.
After update ARCO automatically applies your last config. If for any reason last configuration is
not retained, use your backup or AUTOSAVED config backup by touching CONFIG LOAD.
CONFIG SAVE: Saves current configuration to the internal memory.
CONFIG LOAD: Loads saved configuration to the ARCO.
CONFIG LOAD / RESET: Resets configuration to the factory
defaults and clears NV memory.
RS232 CONTROL PROTOCOL: Specifies control protocol
used for control over RS232 port.
BAUD RATE: Specifies communication speed for RS232 port. Control application on computer
has to use this speed, 8bit data length, no parity, one or two stop bits. 8/N/1 or 8/N/2.
USB CONTROL PROTOCOL: Specifies control protocol used for control over USB port.
Baud rate setting for USB port is not important, control software on computer can use any
speed, important is to keep 8bit data length and no parity. 8/N/1 or 8/N/2.
Same as over LAN, also over USB and RS232, ARCO supports Yaesu, DCU-1/Rotor EZ and
SPID HR 0.1º control protocols.
SUPPLY: During rotation shows power [W] delivered by the internal motor supply to the rotator.
23