ARKEL Elektrik Elektronik Ltd. Şti. www.arkel.com.

tr

ARKEL FIRMWARE UPDATER

for ARL-500 Lift Controller & ADrive Motor Driver

USER MANUAL

Document Date: 2011

Document Version: V1.3

ARKEL Elektrik Elektronik Ticaret Ltd. Şti.

Şerifali Mah. Bayraktar Bulvarı Şehit Sok. No:32 Umraniye Istanbul TURKIYE
TEL: (+90 216) 540 03 10- 11- 12 Fax: (+90 216) 540 03 09
E-mail : info@arkel.com.tr www.arkel.com.tr

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INTRODUCTION 
You can update your device that supports upgrading via ARKEL Firmware Updater software. By
upgrading firmware, you can add new features/facilities to your product.

ARKEL Firmware Updater is an utility software which connects your computer and device,
enabling you to load the firmware file to your device.

The firmware file is not a part of this software and it is different for each device. You also have
to get the firmware file which is compatible with your device.

PRECAUTIONS

Before downloading firmware you must learn your device firmware version. The firmware
version is displayed on device screen while starting up. If your device firmware is already the
latest version it is not necessary to perform this update.

These firmware updates can only be applied to devices with firmware versions later than a
specified version. Firmware update is not supported before this specified version. The updatable
firmware versions are indicated below:

ADrive
V8.00 or later
VVVF Inverter for Lifts

ARL-500
V20R14 or later
Lift Controller

Most of the connectors are fault-preventing designed to avoid faulty connection. Do not force to
plug the connectors in wrong orientation, or modify any of the components, as this will damage
the device or PC.

Do not shut off the power during firmware updating.

Do not plug out the cable during firmware updating.

After having uploaded the new firmware, you may receive a "Parameters corrupt" error on ARL-
500. This is caused by new parameters that have been added in the new version of the firmware.
As those new parameters are undefined on your old parameter memory, the device gives this
error. The detailed description is given in the “Firmware Update Procedures” section.

REQUIREMENTS

 A computer (PC) with RS-232/USB ports and Microsoft Windows operating system
(95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista).
 The ARKEL Firmware Updater software in order to load a firmware file into the device.
You can download the software from our Web site.
 The latest firmware file of the device. You can download the firmware file from our Web
site.
 The proper cables which are described in the following section.

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CABLE CONNECTION 
You have to connect the device and the computer with a proper cable.

CONNECTING the ADRIVE and PC

This cable is a standard RS-232 PC connection cable. Any standard RS-232 cable can be used
instead of the original cable supplied with ADrive. A USB to RS-232 9-pin adapter is required
for Laptop connection via USB port. ADrive computer connection is shown below:

PC/Laptop ADrive
RS-232
female
RS-232 plug

9-pin D-type
9-pin D-type RS-232 cable male plug
female plug

Figure-1: ADrive computer connection

The plug on ADrive that is used for PC connection is 9-pin D-type female. The other plug which
is male on ADrive front side is used for DataKey. Do not use this plug for PC connection.

The pin connection diagram for RS-232 cable is shown in the table below:

to PC to ADrive
9-pin D-type male 9-pin D-type female
2 (Data RX) 2 (Data TX)
3 (Data TX) 3 (Data RX)
5 (GND) 5 (GND)

9-pin 9-pin
D-type D-type
male female

Figure-1a: RS-232 cable pin diagram

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CONNECTING the ARL-500 and PC

There are 2 cabling options to make the PC connection of ARL-500 controller. The 1st option is
made via an ADrive-ARL-500 communication cable and a standard RS-232 connection cable.
The 2nd option is made via a special connection cable. The cabling details are given below:

Cabling Option-1:

2 cables are used for connecting ARL-500 to PC. A USB to RS-232 9-pin adapter is required for
Laptop connection via USB port. ARL-500 computer connection is shown below:

PC ARL-500
Cable-2 Cable-1

RS-232 RS-232

9-pin D-type 9-pin D-type 9-pin D-type RJ-45 plug

female plug female plug male plug

Figure-2a: Connecting the ARL-500 and PC (standard connection via 2 cables)

Cable-1 is also used for communicating ARL-500 Lift Controller and ADrive Inverter for VVVF
systems. If this cable is used, it must be plugged during the run. It will be unplugged from the
ADrive and will be used for updating firmware. At the end of the firmware updating operation this
cable must be plugged back to ADrive. Look at Figure-2b for pin diagram configuration.

Cable-2 is a adaptor cable with 9-pin D-type male plugs on both ends. When using this cable pay
attention to the plug orientation. Do not confuse this cable with ADrive connection cable (one
end is male, the other end is female). Look at Figure-2c for pin diagram configuration.

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The pin connection diagram of Cable-1 is shown in the table below:

to ARL-500 to Cable-2
RJ-45 plug 9-pin D-type male
5 (Data RX) 2
6 (Data TX) 3
4 (GND) 5

RJ-45

9-pin
D-type
male

Figure-2b: Cable-1 pin diagram

The pin connection diagram of Cable-2 is shown in the table below:

to Cable-1 to PC
9-pin D-type female 9-pin D-type female
2 3 (Data TX)
3 2 (Data RX)
5 5 (GND)

9-pin 9-pin
D-type D-type
female female
Figure-2c: Cable-2 pin diagram

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Cabling Option-2:

It is also possible to make your own connection with a single cable. This connection is shown
below:

PC ARL-500
Special cable
RS-232 RS-232

9-pin D-type RJ-45 soket

male plug

Figure-2d: Connecting the ARL-500 and PC (connection via single cable)

According to the diagram you can make a special cable with RJ-45 plug on one end and 9-pin D-
type female plug on the other end. The pin connection diagram of Cable-2 is shown in the table
below:

to ARL-500 To PC
RJ-45 plug 9-pin D-type female
5 (Data RX) 3 (Data TX)
6 (Data TX) 2 (Data RX)
4 (GND) 5 (GND)

  RJ-45

9-pin
D-type
female

Figure-2e: Special cable pin diagram

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FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE 
1. Connect the cable between the device and PC.

2. Copy the “ARKEL Firmware Updater.exe” file into a directory. It is a standalone

program, no installation is needed.

3. Copy the device firmware file (.AFW) into the same directory with “ARKEL Firmware
Updater.exe” file.

4. Run ARKEL Firmware Updater program. If you receive an error while running, you have
to download and install the Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0 installation file below. (.Net
Framework 2.0 is pre-installed with Windows Vista, you will not have to download if you
have Windows Vista).

If you don’t receive any error then you don’t need to install this file. Skip the Step 5.

Picture-1: Microsoft .NET Framework is not installed

5. Download and install the Microsoft .NET Framework file. Below the installation of this
file is shown.

Picture-2a, 2b: Microsoft .NET Framework installation

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6. After running ARKEL Firmware Updater, the program screen will be shown.

Picture-3: ARKEL Firmware Updater screen

7. The firmware upgrade program requires you to enter the firmware's filename. Click Load
Firmware button in order to select the firmware file. Select and double-click the
firmware file to load. Under the File Name box, firmware file version number and its
release date will be shown. This is shown inside a round below.

Picture-4a, 4b: Selecting the firmware file (.AFW)

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8. Before performing firmware upgrade, you must switch the device to programming mode.
Firmware upgrade is not supported during normal operation mode. The procedure which
will be done for switching the device to programming mode is described below. These
requirements are common for ARL-500 and ADrive.

a) Turn off the device.

b) Press the ESC (red colored) button on the device and "keep pressed".
c) Turn on the device while keeping the ESC (Escape) button pressed.

It will open in programming mode and will be waiting for loading the firmware with
“Waiting to connect” message on the display of device.

After programming mode is activated, the device will wait a specific time to establish a
communication with programmer (PC). This waiting period is 60 seconds. During this
period, a time message will be shown on device screen. If no valid communication is
established during this waiting period, the device will automatically reboot itself and will
return to normal operating mode. Because of this, you have to start upgrading firmware in
this period.

9. You can start upgrading process after switching the device into programming mode.
Click the Upload button. The firmware upgrading process will start, if no error has been
detected. This process will take several minutes. The status of loading firmware is shown
on screen. If an error is detected, an error message will be indicated. See the Step 11 and
12 for detailed description.

Picture-5: Loading firmware to device

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10. After finishing the loading firmware successfully, a confirmation message will be
indicated. Click Ok button to complete the process. Then the device will automatically
reboot itself and will return to normal operating mode with a new firmware.

Picture-6: Loading firmware file is successfully done.

Note for ARL-500 firmware updating:

After having uploaded the new firmware, you may receive a "Parameters corrupt" error
on ARL-500. This is caused by new parameters that have been added in the new version of
the firmware. As those new parameters are undefined on your old parameter memory, the
device gives this error.

To fix this situation:

Step-1: Enter the main menu

Step-2: Change one of the parameters to ensure that ARL-500 will save the
parameters into its memory when leaving the menu.

For example: increase "Cabin lamp turn-off delay" by one second.

Step-3: Exit the menu and select "Yes" when you are asked if you wish to save the
parameters.

Step-4: Power off ARL-500 and power-on again.

Now, the "Parameters corrupt" error should be cleared.

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11. If the message displayed on error window is “CONNECTION TIME OUT”, it means
that there is problem with connecting to device. The possible causes for this error are
described below.

Picture-7: Connection time out error

a) Ensure that the COM PORT selected is correct. Select a different communication port
and try the loading process again.

b) Ensure that the device is in programming mode. Loading firmware file to device is
only available when it is in programming mode. How to switch the device to a
programming mode is explained in Step 8.

c) Check the cables and all connections from your PC to the device.

12. If the message displayed on error window is “BAD SYNCRONIZATION”, it means that
connecting to device is succeeded but a synchronization error occured with the device or
firmware file you are trying to load,. The possible causes for this error are described
below.

Picture-8: Bad synchronization error

a) Your device may not support firmware updating. Firmware updating can only be
applied to devices with firmware versions later than a specified version.

b) The firmware file (.AFW) you are trying to load is not suitable for this device or the
firmware file is corrupted. Download the latest firmware file which is suitable for
your device and retry loading process.

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