LX Flarm units

Firmware update procedures

1 General
All Flarm units need periodically firmware update. The updates are normally carried out by users after
using of PC or SD card. A special case will happen at the end of February 2008, as all Flarm units
will need a compulsory firmware update; otherwise the units will not be able to operate any more.
This document has been prepared to make the update campaign as much as stress less and easy.
Necessary procedures and also HW requirement are described in details.

Note!
Firmware upgrade to flight recorder with limited IGC approval can be done exclusively through
authorized personal. For more details contact your local distributor. This firmware upgrade isn’t free,
contrariwise to the regular update which is free.

2 How to prepare PC
A PC or laptop with one free com port is definitively necessary. After using of laptops without any
physically com port a suitable USB to 232 adapter cable should be used. It is recommended to check
the function of such a configuration before Flarm update procedure will start. Run some other
application which requires com port, to check the com port.

2.1 Installation of Flarm tools

Original Flarm tool, available on www.flarm.com should be used for all updates; there is no LX tool
available at all.
After you will enter Flarm page go on with Support and Update. Install Flarm tool 1.29 after click on
Installation.

Installation
3 Update procedures

3.1 LX Red Box with SD Card (Sn. 2000
)

These units needn’t be updated by PC. SD card which includes new firmware version should simple be
inserted and the update procedure will run fully automatic, immediately after the card will be inserted
into the Flarm unit.

3.1.1 Procedure
• Copy adequate file ( flarm_400.fw) having extension .fw to SD card, use Flarm tools

Copy to SD

• Insert SD card into Flarm Red box

• The procedure will take a few minutes

Note!
Power lamp of Flarm external display will flash (or will become red by dual color displays) during the
procedure. As the procedure will finish a normal status of Power lamp will characterize this fact.

3.2 Red Box without SD card (Sn. 1000-2000)

This version of Red Box units’ request a data transfer PC-Red Box after using of Flarm tool and
appropriate cable set.
3.2.1 Cable sets

3.2.1.1 Using of Colibri power and data adapter (Ord. nr. COL AC-PC)
Every Colibri and LX 20/2000 is equipped with this kind of cable set, so there are many thousands
available by Colibri and LX 20 users. The adapter can be ordered by LX Navigation after using of our
e-shop.

Important!
Using of above mentioned cable set will also power Red Box from AC network. This configuration is
therefore extremely comfortable for indoor operation.

This cable set may be also used for update of Red Box units built into the glider. In that case remains
AC plug unplugged.

Display

Schematics of Red Box, PC and Colibri adapter connection

Important!
Plug 6P telephone type connector into Display marked connector of Red Box.
3.2.1.2 LX Flarm update cable (Ord. nr. LX7-F-UD-cable)
This cable ensures data exchange Red Box - PC during the update procedure. This cable doesn’t
include power lines and therefore don’t power Red Box. This configuration is suitable for field
operation where Red Box receives power from the glider battery.

red black White GND

9P sub D female

1 blue

Optionally 12 V, blue 6 white

Detailed schematics of LX Flarm update cable

Note!
Optional 12 V and GND may be extended, wires 1 (blue) and 6 for indoor operation.
3.2.2 Procedure Nr.1 (recommended)

• Run Flarm tool (a free com port will be selected automatically)

Flarm tool ready on com 2

• Connect cable to PC (9P)

• Remove Flarm external display (not necessary by Mini Box)
• Plug 6P telephone connector into Ext. Disp. Plug of the Red Box, USB type by Colibri
• Power Flarm ON (not necessary after using of Colibri adapter),
• Wait until connection will be established (it will take up to 30 seconds)

Connect status established

(HW,FW, data base and device number visible)

Note!
If Flarm will not connect, close Flarm Tool and try again.
 • The update procedure will start automatically, after successful connection
• Follow wizard on PC and wait until Finish

• Switch the unit OFF

• Connect Flarm external display and provide functional test

By no success use procedure Nr. 2

3.2.3 Procedure Nr.2

This procedure should be used after the first procedure has failed. To do this it is necessary to start so
called RECOVER item. It is available after click on FLARM.

Click to run Recover

• Follow wizard on Flarm tool until finish.

3.3 Flarm Mini Box
3.3.1 Flarm Mini Box with SD card (Sn. 2000
)
See procedure under 3.1.

3.3.2 Flarm Mini Box without SD card (Sn. 1000 – 2000)

The update can be carried out exclusively after connection to PC. Recommended cable set is Colibri
power and data adapter (see 3.2.1.1). Extended LX Flarm update cable can be also used.

3.3.3 The procedure

See 3.2.2.
After no success, contact producer ([email protected]).

3.4 Colibri Flarm

All necessary cables are delivery included (Colibri adapter, Colibri Flarm update cable). Update is
possible exclusively after data transfer Colibri Flarm - PC. No way to update via Colibri SD card.
Colibri Flarm update cable (USB to 9P Sub D) should be used for data transfer and Colibri adapter will
only power the unit.
 Colibri Flarm, Flarm update configuration

3.4.1 Procedure Nr.1

• Run Flarm tool (a free com port will be selected automatically)

Flarm tool ready on com 2

• Remove Flarm external display

• Plug Colibri update cable into PC (9P) and Flarm (USB type)
 • Power Colibri ON
• Wait until connection will be established (it will take up to 30 seconds)

Connect status established

(HW,FW, data base and device number visible)

Note!
If Flarm will not connect, close Flarm Tool and try again.

• The update procedure will start automatically, after successful connection

• Follow wizard on PC and wait until Finish

• Switch Colibri OFF

• Connect Flarm external display and provide functional test
After no success contact producer ([email protected])
3.5 LX 7007
Flarm is a separate board integrated into LX 7007 housing. The only way to provide firmware update
is to connect Flarm board with PC. A suitable cable designated as Flarm
Update cable (Ord. nr. LX7-F-UD-cable) is delivered with every unit.

Flarm update cable, delivery

included

It is necessary to disconnect Flarm external display and to plug 6P telephone type connector of the
Flarm update cable into FLARM marked socket of LX 7007.
If FLARM marked connector isn’t easy to reach, use a RJ11 female to female interface which is
available in nearly every telephone shop. This will make possible to connect the update cable close to
the Flarm External display and this position is normally easy to reach.

LX 7007

PC
3.5.1 Procedure Nr.1
• Switch LX 7007 ON and wait until booting will finish
• Run Flarm tool (a free com port will be selected automatically)

Flarm tool ready on com 2

• Remove Flarm external display

• Connect Flarm update cable to PC (9P) and LX 7007 (6P)
• Wait until connection will be established (it will take up to 30 seconds)

Connect status established

(HW,FW, data base and device number visible)

Note!
If Flarm will not connect, close Flarm Tool and try again.
 • The update procedure will start automatically immediately after connection
• Follow wizard on PC and wait until Finish

• Close Flarm Tool

• Switch LX 7007 OFF and after ON
• Reconnect Flarm external display and provide functional test
• Check Flarm settings in LX 7007

• Important is Frequency, adjust, if wrong.

By no success use procedure Nr. 2

3.5.2 Procedure Nr.2

• Input password 41000 on LX 7007 System Setup\Pasword

• A message window will open
• Run Flarm tool

• Click on Flarm and after on Recover

Click to run Recover

• Follow Wizard
• The update will run automatically
• After a PC message “ The device has successfully been updated” , click on Finish
• Press Enter on LX 7007
• Switch LX 7007 off and after ON
• Reconnect Flarm external display and provide functional test
• Check Flarm settings

• Important is Frequency, adjust, if wrong.