Upgrading the receiver firmware

Applicable receivers:  All receivers

The GPS receiver is supplied with the latest version of the receiver firmware already installed. If a later version of the firmware becomes available, use the WinFlash utility to upgrade the firmware on your receiver.

You can also upgrade the receiver through the web interface (see Check for Firmware Upgrades). If your receiver has access to the Internet, then whenever Trimble releases new firmware your receiver will check and display the new firmware version number in the Web browser. You can then decide to install the newer firmware from the Web browser.

The WinFlash utility

The WinFlash utility communicates with Trimble products to perform various functions including:

  • installing software, firmware, and option upgrades

  • running diagnostics (for example, retrieving configuration information)

  • configuring radios

For more information, online help is also available when using the WinFlash utility.

NOTE – The WinFlash utility runs on Windows operating systems.

Installing the WinFlash utility

You can install the WinFlash utility from the Trimble website.

To install the WinFlash utility:

  1. Go to www.trimble.com/Real-Time-Networks/Trimble-Alloy.aspx. Click the Downloads section.

  2. Download the WinFlash Utility.

  3. Extract the downloaded file and run WinFlash installer.

  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

The WinFlash utility guides you through the firmware upgrade process, as described below. For more information, refer to the WinFlash Help.

Upgrading the receiver firmware

  1. Start the WinFlash utility. The Device Configuration screen appears.

  2. From the Device type list, select your receiver.

  3. From the PC serial port field, select the serial (COM) port on the computer that the receiver is connected to.

  4. Click Next.

    The Operation Selection screen appears. The Operations list shows all of the supported operations for the selected device. A description of the selected operation is shown in the Description field.

  5. Select Load GPS software and then click Next.

    The GPS Software Selection window appears. This screen prompts you to select the software that you want to install on the receiver.

  6. From the Available Software list, select the latest version and then click Next.

    The Settings Review window appears. This screen prompts you to connect the receiver, suggests a connection method, and then lists the receiver configuration and selected operation.

  7. If all is correct, click Finish.

    Based on the selections shown above, the Software Upgrade window appears and shows the status of the operation (for example, Establishing communication with <your receiver>. Please wait.).

  8. Click OK.

    The Software Upgrade window appears again and states that the operation was completed successfully.

  9. To select another operation, click Menu; to quit, click Exit.

    If you click Exit, the system prompts you to confirm.

  10. Click OK.