IMPORTANT: different firmware for 7000DLE MKIII/Andromeda/8000MKII hardware shipped after 1 January 2023
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2023 6:55 pm
Surprise, surprise, there is now a third variant of the now venerable Orion MKxxx boards, one that uses a Cyclone V FPGA. And, just like the last time, Apache started shipping before the new firmware could get properly posted and distributed.
It's unfortunate that parts obsolescence and supply chain issues have once again conspired to muddy the waters and complicate the firmware and hardware landscape, but at least Apache is finding parts and finding away around the supply chain challenges. Given the already existing confusion over MKII and MKIII Orion boards, and now with front panels being labeled "MKIII" with a third FPGA type involved, it might be better if people start referring to the actual FPGA part type installed, i.e. "old Cyclone IV, new Cyclone IV, or Cyclone V". Yeah, it's going to be confusing!
The new FPGA is the Intel (Altera) 5CEFA9F31. New owners of the 7000DLE MKIII (it actually says MKIII on the front), Andromedas with -CV in the serial number, and, when they finally ship, the 8000DLE MKII, will find this Cyclone V family chip inside.
The Protocol 1 firmware has been updated and posted to the TAPR Github site. Detailed instructions on how to select the proper Protocol 1 firmware version for your hardware appear there as well:
https://github.com/TAPR/OpenHPSDR-Firmware/tree/master/Protocol%201/ANAN-7000DLE_ANAN-8000DLE-Andromeda
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOADING FIRMWARE CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://community.apache-labs.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2333
Protocol 2 firmware is posted in this topic: https://community.apache-labs.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=4462
Don't forget to grab a copy of the Protocol 1 firmware to have handy before upgrading to Protocol 2, just in case of a problem.
It's unfortunate that parts obsolescence and supply chain issues have once again conspired to muddy the waters and complicate the firmware and hardware landscape, but at least Apache is finding parts and finding away around the supply chain challenges. Given the already existing confusion over MKII and MKIII Orion boards, and now with front panels being labeled "MKIII" with a third FPGA type involved, it might be better if people start referring to the actual FPGA part type installed, i.e. "old Cyclone IV, new Cyclone IV, or Cyclone V". Yeah, it's going to be confusing!
The new FPGA is the Intel (Altera) 5CEFA9F31. New owners of the 7000DLE MKIII (it actually says MKIII on the front), Andromedas with -CV in the serial number, and, when they finally ship, the 8000DLE MKII, will find this Cyclone V family chip inside.
The Protocol 1 firmware has been updated and posted to the TAPR Github site. Detailed instructions on how to select the proper Protocol 1 firmware version for your hardware appear there as well:
https://github.com/TAPR/OpenHPSDR-Firmware/tree/master/Protocol%201/ANAN-7000DLE_ANAN-8000DLE-Andromeda
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOADING FIRMWARE CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://community.apache-labs.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2333
Protocol 2 firmware is posted in this topic: https://community.apache-labs.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=4462
Don't forget to grab a copy of the Protocol 1 firmware to have handy before upgrading to Protocol 2, just in case of a problem.