VPFlowScope M Transmitter Firmware Release Notes

## Revision 2.3.2 2024-02-20

0. — Summary —

This is a minor release that optimizes multiple functions of the firmware.

1. — Resolved issues —

– Enjoy faster screen refreshes, the interface is removed from the downloading data process. The “Download in progress” screen is eliminated, bringing back access to the local interface during data transfers.

– The transmitter can work through brief disconnections of the probes, ensuring a continuous process.

– Enhanced safety and functionality with 24V connection protocol: now automatically activating upon probe connection and deactivating upon disconnection. This not only optimizes the cartridge’s electrical performance but also safeguards against accidental short circuits when probes are not connected.

– The width of the pulse output is now set at 1000ms, aligning with manual specifications.

2. — New features —

None.

3. — Discontinued features —

None.

## Revision 2.3.1 2023-12-01

0. — Summary —

This is a minor release that optimizes downloading the datalogger.

1. — Resolved issues —

– The download speed is now four times faster. Some optimizations were implemented to improve the downloading speed from the datalogger. One of these is disabling the user interface of the transmitter. A message is shown on the screen that explains this to users.

– If the datalogger is read from a live system, logging continues in the background as usual. Systems connected to a VPVision system also continue to send data over the network during data downloading.

2. — New features —

None.

3. — Discontinued features —

None.

## Revision 2.3.0 2022-02-24

0. — Summary —

Firmware release 2.3.0 includes some resolved issues and added some new features including the possibility to enter the diameter in inches, enter the menu without a connected cartridge, setting pages for analog output, changing the reference condition and calibration and disable/enable the direction signal (for bi-directional sensors).

1. — Resolved issues —

– Show \(UTC\) behind Time
– Changed Product names as used on the Info/about screen.
– Make Max Tube diameter equal to VPstudio \(1016mm\)
– Updated the default values for factory settings
– Changed “Flow” to “Velocity” in dropdown menus for consistency with main page.

2. — New features —

– Added “Velocity” label.
– Added possibility to enter diameter in inches
– Only show missing or wrong sensor on main pages to allow user to enter menu without sensor
– Added setting pages for 4..20ma, Alarm and Pulse configuration
– Added Advanced menu and page for reference conditions and setting for ref. cond.
– Added calibration of the direction signal
– Implemented possibility to disable direction on transmitter level

3. — Discontinued features —

None.

## Revision 2.2.0 2020-08-18

0. — Summary —

Firmware release 2.2.0 marks an important milestone in the development of 2.x.x firmwares: All features and functionalities offered by 1.x.x firmwares, except those purposely dropped (WiFi, webserver), are now avaiable in their 2.x.x incarnations! A major part previously missing, but implemented as of 2.2.0, is datalogger functionality.

The datalogger is equal in functionality available to the user compared to 1.x.x, but its design and implementation are significantly different: Unlike 1.x.x, where the datalogger was build around the concept of sessions, in 2.x.x the datalogger always records data. The datalogger has a 1-year ringbuffer, which is being written to whenever the device is powered. In effect, at any time, the device stores 1-year worth of data and hence can never run out of memory. Viewing and downloading this data can be done over Modbus, which is equally available over RS-485, Ethernet and USB serial. Using the upcoming VPStudio3 desktop software, recorded data can be quickly previewed in low resolution, before downloading specific timeframes at higher or highest resolution. All while the device is installed and operational, if desired so.

1. — Resolved issues —

– Pipe diameter now forced by transmitter
In previous 2.x.x firmwares the pipe diameter was stored in the cartridge. Most users however perceive the transmitter to be the device and their cartridge an expendable. This created a “gotcha”-situation when changing a cartridge, but not setting the correct pipe diameter. From this release onwards, pipe diameter is retained by the transmitter.
– Numeric input using the device on-screen UI improved
On-screen numeric input is most prominently used by the pipe diameter setting. In previous releases it sometimes behaved somewhat counter-intiutive. Use of this UI feature has been improved.

2. — New features —

– Endianess test register
The firmware now offers two Modbus registers serving a specific static value, one integer and one floating-point. The value is chosen such that each byte in the 4-byte, 32-bits sequences read from these registers have distinct values. Reading these values using different interpretation settings in the Modbus master greatly eases debugging endianess issues.

3. — Discontinued features —

None.

## Revision 2.1.2 2020-07-22

0. — Summary —
With the previous release (2.1.0) focus was exclusively on Modbus TCP functionality. In this minor release, some shortcomings related to Modbus RTU are fixed.

1. — Resolved issues —
– Modbus registers for configuring RS-485 baud, parity and stopbits implemented.
– Device on-screen UI now also lists 57600 baud for RS-485

2. — New features —
– Modbus register for setting device time (UTC Unix timestamp) implemented.

3. — Discontinued features —
None.

** Revision 2.1.0 2020-07-02

0. — Summary —
Limited release firmware: This version was released to a limited audience experiencing persistent issues with Modbus TCP responsiveness.
Although not yet for general consumption, this release marks the start of a new generation of firmwares provided to users of VPFlowScope M devices. The 2.x.x line of firmwares is a ground-up rewrite compared to 1.x.x firmwares previously provided to customers. This release, when applied using the provided updater program, is a drop-in replacement for 1.x.x firmwares, with the exception of not supporting WiFi or datalogger functionality. A later version will restore datalogger functionality for models sporting datalogger memory. WiFi functionality will not return in 2.x.x firmwares.
Firmware 2.1.0 supports all Modbus functionality for reading measurements previously found in 1.5.x firmwares, extended with new Modbus functionality for changing almost all configuration parameters of the device. Register layout is therefore deemed compatible.
Certain configuration options, being analog output (4..20mA, pulse) and alarm options are simplified by eliminating Modbus registers used for configuration, providing the same functionality using less registers and options. See 2.x manual before attempting to configure these options.

1. — Resolved issues —
– All known Modbus reliability issues resolved
– Device now capable of processing over 50 Modbus requests per second, both Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP or a mix of those
– User interface responsiveness increased

2. — New features —
– Display rotatable in software
In case the device needs be installed in orientations other than horizontal, on-screen UI can be rotated.
– Display elements shown easily configurable.
What measurements are shown on screen and using what unit now easily configurable.
-Dark-mode
By enabling this option all colors are inverted (bright data on dark background).
– Display uses larger, sharper fonts
– All configuration options, except alarm, changeable using the device menu
Alarm requires writing values using Modbus. Configuring alarm will later be added to menu configuration.
– Modbus RTU available over USB serial
Plugging in the USB cable will make it create a virtual comport, using which Modbus RTU can be used.
– All Modbus functionality equally available over RS-485, Ethernet and USB serial
All Modbus functionality can be called upon using any interface available on the device.

3. — Discontinued features —
– WiFi
Due to low volume of WiFi-capable units sold, WiFi functionality will not be developed as part of 2.x.x firmware, and thus not return in a later 2.x.x release.
– Webserver
Webserver functionality is deemed redundant now all configuration options are available over Modbus, which is equally available over RS-485, Ethernet and USB serial. Webserver functionality is unlikely to return given resources consumed on the device compared to extra capabilities offered to the user.
– Datalogger
Datalogger functionality not available in this release, will return greatly improved in a later 2.x.x release!
– Custom units
In 1.x.x firmwares, up to 5 custom units could be defined. Customer feedback indicated those were rarely used, and if used, to translate a volumetric unit into one money figure. For this reason the custom units have been removed.
In a later 2.x.x release custom units will be replaced by one new unit called “Money”, for which the user can configure a gain factor from normalized cubic meters. Money can then be displayed as money per hour, money per year, money total.
– Configuration in imperial units
Certain configuration options, being tube diameter, could previously be set in millimetres and inches, using two separate sets of registers. Configuration is now done in metric units exclusively. Measurement data is still available in the same set of units, including all previously available imperial units.
– Support for VPSensorCartridges before 6100658 dropped
VPSensorCartridges before serial number 6100658 cannot be used.

** Revision 2.0.2 2020-06-10
** Revision 2.0.1 2020-05-28
** Revision 2.0.0 2020-04-17

0. — Summary —
Special use firmwares: Shipped as part of a badge-engineered product (HIC OxySonicz for HundredFolds Industries Corporation).