Building a Davis Vantage Pro 2 Updater - 6311VP2

[meteo.quimper]

Hi all

Is there a way to build a clone of the Davis Vantage Pro 2 Updater (6311VP2) ?

I finds some schematics to programming the atmel cpu: http://www.scienceprog.com/simplest-128-atmega-programmer/

"But what if you need 128 atmega programmer without any parts, then you can connect your microcontroller directly to LPT port or use protection resistors (220R) just in case. of course circuit works without resistors, but you put your LPT port at risk.



Just connect GND, SCK, MISO, MOSI and RESET to adequate LPT pins and you can program atmega’s flash memory without removing it from socket. Programming software can be PonyProg"

We can find SCK, MOSI, MISO, RESET (RST), GND on the Davis Vantage Pro 2 expansion connector pinout:




Or perhaps with the MAX232:



on the RXD0/TXD0 or RXD1/TXD1 of the Davis Vantage Pro 2 expansion connector

Best regards

[dalecoy]

Sure.  Just figure out what microprocessor is the one that's in the Davis programmer (and needed to run the .exe for the Davis programmer), and then use that microprocessor.  Then the rest is relatively easy.  It's just a conventional microcomputer with some non-volatile memory and a couple of pushbuttons and LEDs.

[meteo.quimper]

Yes, but the problem is to know what is insde the updater....

[dalecoy]

Yes, but the problem is to know what is insde the updater....

A.  Buy one and disassemble it.

B.  Rent one and carefully take it apart and look.

[DeKay]

Yes, but the problem is to know what is insde the updater....

A.  Buy one and disassemble it.

B.  Rent one and carefully take it apart and look.

So, it is pretty straightforward: simply buy the unit to be cloned (which would seem to defeat the purpose), disassemble it, figure out the hardware pinout, somehow extract the firmware from whatever processor might be on there, built the hardware, burn the firmware, and test.   

[dalecoy]

Yes, but the problem is to know what is insde the updater....

A.  Buy one and disassemble it.

B.  Rent one and carefully take it apart and look.

So, it is pretty straightforward: simply buy the unit to be cloned (which would seem to defeat the purpose), disassemble it, figure out the hardware pinout, somehow extract the firmware from whatever processor might be on there, built the hardware, burn the firmware, and test.   

Well, I admit to being just a bit sarcastic.  But the question asked was: "Is there a way to build a clone of the Davis Vantage Pro 2 Updater".

It's really a matter of reverse engineering, as you clearly understand.  And the easiest way to do that, is to have your hands on what you are reverse engineering.

The "executable" software is available (download from the Davis site).  So, all that's really necessary from a device standpoint is to figure out what processor it runs on, and the rest of the "operating system".  And of course the hardware interfaces. 

I believe that it's impractical to do that.  In this context, the definition of "impractical" is "clearly not worth the effort".

Sometimes, enormous effort is justified to reverse engineer something.  So I wouldn't want to discourage the OP. 

[DeKay]

I finds some schematics to programming the atmel cpu: http://www.scienceprog.com/simplest-128-atmega-programmer/

"But what if you need 128 atmega programmer without any parts, then you can connect your microcontroller directly to LPT port or use protection resistors (220R) just in case. of course circuit works without resistors, but you put your LPT port at risk.

Just connect GND, SCK, MISO, MOSI and RESET to adequate LPT pins and you can program atmega’s flash memory without removing it from socket. Programming software can be PonyProg"

We can find SCK, MOSI, MISO, RESET (RST), GND on the Davis Vantage Pro 2 expansion connector pinout:

The responses on that site state: For Atmega128 The MOSI/MISO pins are PE0 and PE1 for data in SPI Programming mode. Look in Atmega128 datasheet page 304.

So I believe you'd have to hook up to TXD0 / RXD0 and not the SPI pins.  Then you could use PonyProg or AVRDUDE.  If you don't have a parallel port, there are lots of cheap AVR programmers out there.  I have a Bus Pirate, which is a little more general purpose besides just AVR programming.

Or perhaps with the MAX232:

on the RXD0/TXD0 or RXD1/TXD1 of the Davis Vantage Pro 2 expansion connector

Is this not SLOweather's design, for which he has already said that he was able to use to upgrade the firmware with the Davis software?

[DeKay]

Well, I admit to being just a bit sarcastic.  But the question asked was: "Is there a way to build a clone of the Davis Vantage Pro 2 Updater".

<snip>

I believe that it's impractical to do that.  In this context, the definition of "impractical" is "clearly not worth the effort".

Sometimes, enormous effort is justified to reverse engineer something

But this is clearly not required for what he is trying to do.  All he wants to do is get his console to speak French.  All he needs for that is SLOweather's interface or my USB->LVTTL approach, both of which have been confirmed to do exactly what he wants to do. 

Please put your pedanticism aside going forward.

[dalecoy]

But this is clearly not required for what he is trying to do.  All he wants to do is get his console to speak French.  All he needs for that is SLOweather's interface or my USB->LVTTL approach, both of which have been confirmed to do exactly what he wants to do. 

Please put your pedanticism aside going forward.

Point taken.   If meteo.quimper doesn't need an updater, then indeed my answer to the question he asked was unnecessary.

Sorry I wasted everyone's time.

[wmcatty]

Providing possible solutions to a question is never a waste of "our" time Dalecoy.  I am still at "awe" of your computer prowess, as are others.

[wmcatty]

pedanticism
1. the character or practices of a pedant, as excessive display of learning. Thanks Dekay, as I have never seen the word pedanticism used before and wanted others to know what it meant.  Your bantering with Dalecoy is both educational and a hoot at the same time.  Happy New Year

[johnd]

All he needs for that is SLOweather's interface or my USB->LVTTL approach, both of which have been confirmed to do exactly what he wants to do. 

I'm not so sure. Seems to me that the problem is more likely that the revised firmware is not well-formed somehow. Maybe there's an important checksum that's not been corrected or that adding/deleting characters in various strings can't just be done without attention to where the string addresses might fall. So it's perhaps the firmware that needs to be re- or reverse-engineered. With valid firmware then any legitimate method for installing it would probably work.

[meteo.quimper]

Thank you all for your replies, I fear also that the flash.bin has a checksum protection that would prevent translating the forecat messages in french...

[dalecoy]

My error was in not connecting this thread, to a question here:  http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=532.msg137189#msg137189

This thread seems to be a straightforward question about replicating the updater (no initial indication of the reason).  Perhaps I should have first asked "why". 

Regarding checksums - I would be very surprised if a firmware (or direct-from-PC) file did not include at least one checksum to validate the contents.  It's a reasonable precaution to protect against faulty downloads, corrupted files, etc.  which might "brick" the console.  Exactly what the manufacturer does with the checksum varies. 

Of course, it's possible that Davis would cooperate with the translation effort.

[alfargan]

Hi all

This is my second post, the first was the presentation, but I've been reading the forum for months.

I write to tell that my old console VP1 can be updated without the updater.(with some risk)

My reason for the update was that Davis had a firmware in Spanish.

The combination of ponyprog +parallel port interface with a single 74HC244 did the job.


The interface is this:




And my pcb:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32463342@N04/6648845541/in/photostream

As rightly said DeKay, you must use the TxD and RxD , instead the SPI pins.

An image of the Set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32463342@N04/6648835671/in/photostream

was also necessary to power the microprocessor directly to 3.3V (with an external power supply did not work):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32463342@N04/6648819165/in/photostream

The FLASH.bin file was writed to the Flash part of ATmega103L,and the EEPROM was left untouched,to preserve data.


But the bad news (for me) is that in the new version, I have no interior humidity and  barometer  readings ¿?. I think It's a software problem, I looked the circuit, and the feeding of an Opamp related with the pressure sensor and humidity, is caused by a charge pump controled with the pin 17 of atmega103L  (PWM)....   this pin is now inactive.Or..... ¿maybe this sensor needs some sort of calibration inside the flash? ¿any idea?.

This is the sensor:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32463342@N04/6648822529/in/photostream/

I suspect that my console is too old, (before the update ,rev A 11 OCT 2001) and there have been changes with  the type of sensors in the PCB.(My microprocessor is a ATmega103L).

I think there are several versions of the console, and  the latest versions of VP1 use the ATmega128L (in the document with the revisions of firmware, there is mention of a "new processor".Maybe someone can look at it, no need to open the console, just looking at the back with a flashlight

Maybe I need to revert the firmware to an older version, but the in the Davis web does not appear any .¿someone has the zip file firmware prior to 2002?


Best regards,and sorry for my poor English.

Javier

[meteo.quimper]

Hi

thanks for this update, did you win to translate the frmware in spanish ? how ?  no cheksum in the firmware ?

[alfargan]

In my case I lost with the change, now there are things that do not work, the update is possible, yes, but we must be very sure which is the correct firmware,and  works with every type of console , in the document of revisions, there is no checksum of each type by date of manufacturing or similar.

VERY IMPORTANT: before upgrade the  firmware make a copy (read flash and EEPROM) that was my error  


At your own risk, I can explain the method in more detail.

regards

Javier

[meteo.quimper]

Yes, if you can explain in details (on the forum or private message)...

[meteo.quimper]

what did you think of that:

[DeKay]

what did you think of that:

I think you will destroy your console with a 5V programmer, given that the processor in the console operates on 3.3V.

[alfargan]

As Dekay say ,the risk of destroy the console is very high, In my case I powered the 74HC244 to VCC as the microprocessor (3.3V) that's  why I choose the interface with this buffer,for protection,and  because her range of power supply is 2v to 6V,and can be directly connected  to the output and input levels of my parallel port (high level=3.3V).

Regards.


Javier.

[meteo.quimper]

Thanks for the feedback, i'm currently building the lancos interface, i have the idea to power the console and the lancos interface with the same 3.3 v power suply (diy with LM317T), i found that the pin 13 & 14 (expansion connector) are connecte to the pin 21 (vcc) of the atmega 128L, i think i will power the console directly by the pin 13 of the expansion connector...

[DeKay]

i have the idea to power the console and the lancos interface with the same 3.3 v power suply (diy with LM317T), i found that the pin 13 & 14 (expansion connector) are connecte to the pin 21 (vcc) of the atmega 128L, i think i will power the console directly by the pin 13 of the expansion connector...

Why would you do this?  Why not power the 74HC244 as shown in the LancOS schematic that alfargan has said works?  Why risk powering your console with a DIY supply?  I don't want to discourage you, but at the same time you need to be careful when messing around like this.  Good luck with whatever route you take (that said from somebody with his console connected to a breadboard and two external circuit boards at this very moment).

[alfargan]

WARNING:Power the console, not by the pin 13 and 15 of the expansion connector, but by the external power connector (+5 Vdc according to the manual of VP2,take into account the polarity) and ONLY the LancOS interface with 3.3V.


This is setting is much more safe.I've found that also works with me.

Good Luck.

[meteo.quimper]

Hi

For a safe programming is it possible to use one of thoses:

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/14

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9825

Best regards