 | 5/1/1008: Updated StepperBoard active-x system and TestSerialPorts
application to further improve scanning speed when a modem is detected on a
com port (it rapidly skips that port, instead of retesting 8 times at
differing baud rates). This same update is in the SimplexCNC install;
however, aside from updating the TestSerialPorts application, there are no
updates for SimplexCNC itself. Also, the entire source example tree
(script files sources to StepperBoard, and so on) have now been switched
over to a new version control system (subversion). As a result, all
sources have new date stamps, even though most have not been modified. |
 | 4/19/2008: Updated StepperBoard class library and TestSerialPorts
application based on the new class library update. Patched issue
related only to SD4DP product -- if the product is connected to your
computer, but powered off, TestSerialPorts could hang until the SD4DP is
either unplugged or powered. |
 | 4/17/2008: Updated log file generation within the StepperBoard
class library to generate Unicode based log files. This allows non-Ascii
messages (such as Chinese character sets) to be logged, if needed.
Recompiled TestSerialPorts with the new class library. Also, updated
SimplexCNC beta to correct an issue on soft limits. |
 | 4/9/2008: Another update to SimplexCNC to add detection of
user-generated divide-by-0 errors in the GCode scripting language |
 | 4/6/2008: Updated SimplexCNC for edge conditions in range testing |
 | 3/21/2008: Corrected typo in UniversalStepperBistepA06,
UniversalStepperSS0705, UniversalStepperBS0610G and UniversalStepperSS0805
wherein incorrect jumper 'SS' is mentioned where 'JS' is meant (in section
describing the "IO" connector). Also, added new FTDI drivers
(version 2.4.6) for communications with our USB based products. |
 | 3/20/2008: Added notes in RelayStepper and PotStepper manuals to
describe use on one of our newer surface mount boards. |
 | 2/15/2008: First public beta release of the
SimplexCNC application. |
 | 2/14/2008: Updated all manuals (pdf documents) to make use of
Adobe bookmarks, for easier navigation. No information content was
changed, so the main downloads page does not show this update for each
manual. |
 | 2/13/2008: Adjusted auto-scan code in the StepperBoard VB6
library to include an active wait for all serial data to be sent before it
purges input data. Also, added the Beta release of the FTDI USB
drivers (which may be updated again next month). Updated
TestSerialPorts to make use of the updated StepperBoard library. |
 | 1/23/2008: Updated installation packages to include the Beta
Visual Studio .NET code by default, as opposed to being required to use a
custom installation in order to get the sources. |
 | 12/12/2007: Updated SD4DNCRouter and SD4DFifoNCStepper manuals to
fix typos. |
 | 11/27/2007: Adjusted TestSerialPorts application to attempt to
automatically adjust FTDI USB latency settings if they are incorrect on a
port associated with a StepperBoard product. |
 | 11/25/2007: Added some simple USB diagnostics to detect and
report key FTDI USB settings. The diagnostics also contain the ability
to change the USB settings to permit correct StepperBoard product operation.
These diagnostics need to be run as an administrator for correct operation. |
 | 11/20/2007: Updated StepperBoard class library for improved
detection of USB products. Also includes updated TestSerialPorts
application, which uses the same library. |
 | 11/1/2007: Updated UniversalStepperSS0705.pdf manual to include
notes on the SS0710USB board. Correctly PotStepper.pdf manual to
remove incorrect reference to 'e' command, and to include notes on the
SS0710USB board. |
 | 10/29/2007: Minor update to .NET beta; removed unneeded class
from hierarchy. |
 | 10/19/2007: Added the new .NET 2.0 version of the StepperBoard
class library to the sample applications installer (which is also included
in the full installer). This code is early beta, and is not yet
ready for production systems! It is being released now as an early test,
for customer review and comments. It does work to the extent that the
sample code all compiles and runs; however, the sample code does not test
all features of the system. Use at your own risk! It may only be
installed from the sample applications installer through use of a 'custom
installation'. Full installation will NOT install this early
beta. |
 | 10/16/2007: Corrected 3 errors in StepperBoard class library.
BC2D15NCStepper and UCNCStepper firmware adjustments to be able to send
separate currents to each motor, NCStepper4D adjustment to remove possible
race condition on IdleWait function. |
 | 10/10/2007: Corrected error in StepperBoard class library in the
BC2D15NCStepper firmware support class; used the wrong command to update the
extended IO bits. Also, updated the BC4D15NCRouter and BC4D15PotRouter
manuals to correct notes about the use of the XSI and XSO signals. |
 | 10/8/2007: Updated StepperBoard class library to permit use of
the extended step-and-direction modes which have recently been added to many
of our firmwares. |
 | 10/1/2007: Cleanup of UniversalStepperSS0705 manual section
describing calculation of motor current, to more accurately reflect the
lower voltage capabilities of the surface mount versions of the boards. |
 | 9/17/2007: Updated PotStepper4D and NCStepper4D manuals to
document new SS4D artwork changes. |
 | 9/10/2007: Updated the installation start-menu, to include a
'Manuals Organized by Product' tree. This is a reversion to our tree
prior to Vista in appearance, with the addition of an 'All Manuals'
selection for easy Vista access. This update ONLY adjusts the
start-menu; there are no code or documentation changes. |
 | 9/7/2007: Updated TestSerialPorts application sample to use
correct 'GetSaveFileName' API, to force a '.log' file extension if none is
specified, and to delete the existing log file (with confirmation) if a new
one is selected and it already exists. |
 | 8/14/2007: Updated StepperBoard class library to be better
behaved on auto-parsing of values when in non-verbose modes of
communication. |
 | 7/23/2007: Updated TestSerialPorts for improved error detection,
added new NCStepper4D reference, updated StepperBoard class libraries to
include NCStepper4D. |
 | 6/9/2007: Updated all SD4D manuals to show connection to new
Gecko G2O3 drivers. |
 | 6/8/2007: Updated PotStepper and UniversalStepperBS0610G manuals
for improved instructions on configuration of double current mode of
operation. Updated RS232ToTTL and RS422ToTTL manuals for more
appropriate power supply settings. |
 | 6/6/2007: Updated all SD4D related manuals to reflect new
'Step-Is-Direction' configuration option. |
 | 6/4/2007: Updated PotStepper manual to have better notes about
our newer boards. |
 | 6/3/2007: Added new capability to SD4DPotRouter to support
"step-per-direction" boards as well as the more common "step-and-direction"
devices. Other manuals updated for documentation clarity. |
 | 5/16/2007: Added SD4DFifoStepper and SD4DFifoNCStepper manuals,
describing the SD4DP step-and-direction boards with the new firmwares.
Also, updated all SD4D related manuals and PotStepper4D for
better manual organization, and added new SendSPI generic output command to
the SD4DPotStepper code. Updated StepperBoard class library for new
functionality, and to support the new SD4DFifoStepper firmware for the SD4DP
board. |
 | 5/3/2007: Updated UniversalStepperBS0610G.pdf to include summary
of new board artwork for the BS0710 (revision GR). |
 | 4/29/2007: Added new 'PotStepper4D' manual for operation of the
PotStepper4D firmware on the new SS4D motor controller. Updated
StepperBoard class library to support the new firmware. |
 | 4/6/2007: Created the new SetUpFTDIStepperBoard installation
application, to allow customers to obtain our version of the FTDI drivers
for our USB boards. This version contains the FTDI drivers
version 2.00.00, and are intended for use under Microsoft®
Windows® Vista®
, XP® and
2000®. The only
difference between these drivers and the ones from FTDI is that their
installation configuration files have been modified to reflect our unique
USB address range, and to understand our timing requirements. Due to
the unique USB address, this file contains the version of the drivers which
you must use with our products. |
 | 4/1/2007: Updated the StepperBoard active-x system to support the
SD4DPGenIO firmware as installed on the SD4DP step-and-direction board
(support for this firmware is to be found in the SerRoute class). |
 | 3/24/2007: Updated the StepperBoard active-x system to
automatically detect attempts to open COM ports above port 9, and to adjust
the port name to match Windows UNC requirements when this is done.
Also, adjusted the TestSerialPorts to use the same technique. Prior
versions of these tools would not automatically find any com ports above
port number 9! |
 | 3/21/2007: Vista Version! This involves adjustments to
almost all of our manuals, and a complete rewrite of our installation
application. We now install our code into "Program
Files\StepperBoard", our sample code into "My Documents\StepperBoard", and
our start menu now uses "StepperBoard' instead of "UniversalStepper" as the
base of its tree. Please uninstall your prior code from us (via the
add/remove programs menu, under "UniversalStepper" before installing this
update. |
 | 3/9/2007: Updated StepperBoard class libraries and documentation
for Vista compatibility. SetUpCD no longer will permit installation of
the retired BiStepCom active-X system under Vista, since BiStepCom will
crash Vista. Updated TestSerialPorts for Vista compatibility.
Updated VBScript sample code installed into the "UniversalStepper" directory
as part of running SetUpCD to use the StepperBoard active-x library
instead of BiStepCom (again, for Vista compatibility). |
 | 2/18/2007: Updated StepperBoard class libraries in preparation
for release of the SD4DP board, the high-performance version of the SD4DG
step-and-direction controller. |
 | 2/13/2007: Updated BC4D15NCRouter and BC4D15PotRouter manuals to
better describe on board jumpers and fan installation. Updated
USBToTTLSerial manual to correct typos. |
 | 2/1/2007: Updated all UniversalStepper manuals (GenStepper
firmware) to reflect current release. Also, adjusted install tree from
SetUpCD to use better descriptions on the start menu. |
 | 1/10/2007: Updated SerRoute manual to more correctly describe the
timing of the 'P' command. |
 | 12/30/2006: Added more examples in documentation for the Send SPI
Data functionality in SD4DNCRouter version 2.14. |
 | 12/14/2006: Added 'Send SPI Data' functionality to the
SD4DNCRouter firmware (version 2.14 and later). Updated the StepperBoardClass library to include the matching "SendSPIData" function.
Corrected documentation errors in the UniversalStepperBS0610G manual. |
 | 11/30/2006: Adjusted TestSerialPorts application to no longer
require the COMDLG32.OCX object. The code now directly calls the
COMDLG32.DLL package for its file open action. |
 | 11/26/2006: Corrected BC4D15NCRouter documentation to have
correct report ('x?') documentation, and to include notes about the new 'S'
(motor backlash) command. |
 | 11/18/2006: Updated TestSerialPorts.exe application to be
compiled with the current version of the StepperBoard class library. |
 | 11/06/2006: Updated USBToTTL manual for more comprehensive
installation and testing instructions. |
 | 10/23/2006: Updated Parallax Quick Start Guide and
UniversalStepperBS0610G manuals to show work-around for potential issue with
the AR-BS0710USB when the GenStepper version 2.12 firmware is installed. |
 | 10/2/2006: Updated UCDualStepper manual to correct several typos. |
 | 9/30/2006: Updated the BC2D series of manuals for better notes on
USB installation. |
 | 9/5/2006: Updated StepperBoardClass library for support of new
SD4DNCRouter functions. |
 | 8/29/2006: Updated SD4DNCRouter to include notes on new
high-performance chained operation. |
 | 8/12/2006: Updated many manuals to reflect the release of our
ROHS and USB versions of many of our products. Products released
include the SS0705USB, BC2D15USB, BC4E15(USB), SD4DG (ROHS), and the
SS0905(USB). |
 | 7/17/2006: Updated SerRoute manuals to reflect version 2.1 of the
firmware. |
 | 7/14/2006: Update most UniversalStepper manuals to describe the
new GenStepper firmware version 2.9, which adds support for TTL-control of
motor current when operating under TTL-pulse step control. Also,
updated the TestSerialPorts application to improve its detection of boards
which are operating in the non-verbose mode of communication. |
 | 7/1/2006: Updated FirstUse manual for greater clarity on the USB
driver installation and test method. |
 | 6/21/2006: Added application note summarizing connection of
Parallax basic Stamp to our products. |
 | 6/16/2006: Updated UCDualStepper, UCNCStepper and UCPotStepper
manuals to reflect the new artwork version for the UCC30xx board (artwork
version UCC3011). |
 | 5/20/2006: Updated SD4DPotRouter and SD4DNCRouter manuals to
include an exact schematic example of installation of the product
controlling four Gecko G2O2 motor driver boards. |
 | 5/7/2006: Updated SD4DPotRouter firmware to support automatic
motor backlash compensation. Updated SD4DPotRouter
and StepperBoardClass documentation and libraries to include the new
features. |
 | 4/29/2006: Updated SD4DNCRouter firmware to support automatic
motor backlash compensation and chained motions. Updated SD4DNCRouter
and StepperBoardClass documentation and libraries to include the new
features. |
 | 4/21/2006: Updated SD4D related manuals for release version. |
 | 4/18/2006: Updated RelayStepper manual to show support for boards
released since code was written. |
 | 4/3/2006: Updated FirstUse manual to explicitly include
references to the BS0710 board. |
 | 3/31/2006: Updated StepperBoardClass manual to include the new
SD4D step and direction controller firmwares, and added the SD4D firmware
documentation. |
 | 3/16/2006: Updated BC4D15 related documents for new firmware
releases, and all of StepperBoard active-x class library for automatic baud
rate detection on port open. |
 | 2/6/2006: Updated to use the new FTDI serial drivers |
 | 1/5/2006: Updated SerRoute manual to more fully explain reporting
of encoder channels 3 through 7. |
 | 12/28/2005: Added 'Slew' function to most motor control classes
in the StepperBoard class library system. |
 | 12/15/2005: Added SS0805 preliminary pre-release documentation,
updated all UniversalStepper manuals. |
 | 12/7/2005: Added SerRoute version 2.0 extension documentation
(support of multiple encoders), as well as related updates to the
StepperBoard class library. This adds support for use of rotary phase
encoders for monitoring of rotational locations. |
 | 11/3/2005: Added support to StepperBoard class library for new
upgrade of the SerRoute firmware (version 1.14) -- code can now measure
pulse widths. |
 | 11/1/2005: Adjusted TestSerialPorts.exe to show status during
scan of COM ports. |
 | 10/27/2005: Added sample code to StepperBoardStatic, which shows
how to scan a system for all com ports and to identify whether any of our
products are attached to any of those ports. Also, added a compiled
version of the sample code, called TestSerialPorts.exe, as a separate
download and as part of the SetUpCD installation. |
 | 10/26/2005: Improved FirstUse documentation; clearer warnings,
better power notes. |
 | 10/22/2005: Added diagnostic log capability to the StepperBoard
class library; only to be used if you are having problems with serial
communications. |
 | 10/18/2005: Corrected error in installation program (SetUpCD.exe),
which would have made reading the BiStepA06 and SS0705 manuals difficult:
the links to the manuals were incorrect. The error was introduced in
the 10/5/2005 version of the setup application. |
 | 10/17/2005: Updated USBToTTL documentation: was missing
information on some of the advanced settings to use. |
 | 10/15/2005: Adjusted installation tree: changes where the
"USBToTTL product, plus quick install guide" appears on the Start menu. |
 | 10/5/2005: Added complete StepperBoard class libraries to the
base installation (SetUpCD.exe), as well as first official release of the
StepperBoardClass documentation manual. |
 | 9/20/2005: Added BC4D15NCRouter documentation (for the new
firmware available for the BC4D15 controller). Corrected manual for
BC4D15PotRouter (error in 'L' documentation). |
 | 9/8/2005: Updated HalfPowerNotes for clearer documentation about
the voltage levels to use. |
 | 7/19/2005: Updated FirstUse to better note how boards respond to
commands, updated UCDualStepper documentation to correct version numbers in
the 'T' command description. |
 | 6/27/2005: Updated UCPotStepper documentation to correct minor
typos and to describe new board artwork. |
 | 6/1/2005: Added RS422ToTTLSerial documentation |
 | 5/31/2005: Added BC2DNCStepper documentation (describing the new
firmware option for the BC2D15 boards). |
 | 4/19/2005: Updated NCStepper, PotStepper, and all
UniversalStepper manuals to further clarify how to select power supplies to
operate our products. |
 | 4/1/2005: Corrected the PotStepper manual, due to an
error in describing how to enter the 'Double Current' mode of operation.
While correctly described in the main 'Configuring Double Current Mode'
section, old documentation was incorrectly left active in several other
spots in the manuals. |
 | 3/31/2005: Corrected all UniversalStepper manuals, due to an
error in describing how to enter the 'Double Current' mode of operation.
While correctly described in the main 'Configuring Double Current Mode'
section, old documentation was incorrectly left active in several other
spots in the manuals. |
 | 3/24/2005: Updated HalfPowerNotes manual to correct several
current calculation errors. |
 | 2/24/2005: Updated FirstUse with notes pertaining to the BC2D15
and BC4D15 controllers. Also updated RS232ToTTL manual for improved
images. |
 | 2/20/2005: Complete update to all manuals to reflect new
capability of 'instant stop' option on limit switches, changes to baud-rate
configuration. |
 | 2/17/2005: Added RS232ToTTL documentation, for the new RS232ToTTL
level converter board. |
 | 2/16/2005: Added BC4D15PotRouter documentation, for the new
BC4D15 four motor controller. |
 | 2/13/2005: Corrected notes in BC2DPotRouter and BC2DPotStepper
documents, where "double current" mode was referenced. That mode is
only available using GenStepper and PotStepper firmwares, |
 | 2/8/2005: Updated BC2DPotRouter document to match version 2.1 of
the firmware; this replaces the auto-full-power mode of the firmware with
the capability of specifying a separate microstep size for each motor. |
 | 1/24/2005: Updated most firmwares to include support of user
control over the sense levels for the limit switch inputs. Includes
BC2D15PotStepper, BC2D15PotRouter, GenStepper, PotStepper, UCDualStepper and
UCPotStepper. |
 | 1/20/2005: Updated PotStepper and UCPotStepper30xx documentation
to match new firmware feature, which allows ordering of a version of each
firmware that supports use of two potentiometers, instead of just one. |
 | 1/17/2005: Updated BC2DPotRouter documentation to match the
version 1.17 firmware (added new diagnostic commands) |
 | 1/3/2005: Updated NCStepper and UCNCStepper30xx manuals to
better describe use of the "Idle Wait" ("i") command and
the timing of the 'K', 'R' and 'P' commands. Corrected error in
BiStepCom sample code. Updated the SerRoute manual to correct an
incorrect connection summary table. |
 | 12/29/2004: Updated USBToTTL documentation, due to an error in
specifying the website address for the FTDI corporation (should have been
http://www.ftdichip.com).
Added the complete installation guide from FTDI as part of the documentation
set. |
 | 11/8/2004: Added new BC2D15PotRouter documentation, updated
BC2D15PotStepper documentation, updated all UniversalStepper documentation
to version 1.77, updated all PotStepper style (PotStepper, RelayStepper,
UCPotStepper) documentation for new sensing of presence of potentiometer. |
 | 10/20/2004: Added doc to UCNCStepper to explain how to use
differing motor currents on each motor |
 | 10/19/2004: Added sample code for use with the NCStepper
firmware. |
 | 9/18/2004: Added documentation for the BC2D15 dual-axis stepper
motor controller. |
 | 8/17/2004: Updated SerRoute to match firmware version 1.9. |
 | 7/21/2004: Updated UCDualStepper30xx to match firmware version
1.26, which includes automatic power switching when entering and leaving the
'E' mode of operation. |
 | 6/23/2004: Updated UCDualStepper30xx, UCNCStepper30xx and
UCPotStepper30xx to better describe installation of the fan assembly for the
UCC3030 unit. The manuals also now support the version 1.12 of the UCNCStepper
firmware, 1.25 of UCDualStepper, and 2.2 of UCPotStepper and PotStepper.
All of the UCxxx products are now upgraded to an upper speed of 41,667
microsteps per second from the old 31,250 value. |
 | 5/6/2004: Updated the installation program (SetUpCD.exe), to
place copies of links to the manuals in a much more intuitive 'tree', based
on the hardware board. |
 | 5/1/2004: Updated potentiometer-control related manuals
PotStepper, RelayStepper and UCPotStepper30xx to match new firmware
versions. The adjustment improves the precision on the selected rates. |
 | 3/20/2004: Updated most manuals to correct minor typos.
Added potentiometer control to RelayStepper. |
 | 2/21/2004: Updated all manuals, to correct documentation for the
'K' (set "Stop OK" rate) command. |
 | 12/29/2003: Added BiStep2A05 artwork notes to UniversalSteppper2
documentation. |
 | 12/23/2003: Added documentation for the PotStepper and
UCPotStepper30xx firmwares. |
 | 12/11/2003: Added sample Basic Stamp code to "SetUpCD.exe"
to show retrieval of signed locations, corrected typo relating to the 'S'
command in most manuals. |
 |
12/5/2003: Improved documentation for the relative seek command ("+200s")
for all products which implement that feature. |
 | 11/23/2003: Added documentation for the UCC30xx series of controllers.
New documents include UCDualStepper30xx.pdf (matches UCDualStepper
firmware vesion 1.20) and UCNCStepper30xx.pdf (matches UCNCStepper firmware
version 1.7). Also added 'BurnInFastUCC.bs2' sample code to show use
of the UCC30xx series of controllers. |
 | 10/29/2003: Updated the NCStepper manual to describe version
1.43, RelayStepper to describe version 1.6, and all UniversalStepper manuals
to improve documentation about the "O" command. Note that the
NCStepper and RelayStepper updates add the ability to specify a microstep
size of 1 full step, as with GenStepper version 1.75 (from 10/24/2003). |
 | 10/24/2003: Updated the GenStepper firmware to version 1.75.
This version (1) adds the ability to specify microstep size of 1 full step (prior largest size
was 1/2 step), (2) adds the capability of specifying the signal levels
used to trigger the "Remote TTL Computer Control" options, and (3) adds more
power-on hardware straps for the products, and it allows for a new 'Step+Direction" mode of control when using the "Remote TTL
Computer Control" feature of the product line.. All of the UniversalStepper manuals were updated to
document the new features. |
 | 10/16/2003: Updated RelayStepper and NCStepper manuals, to add a
section summarizing all of the power-on "hardware strap" options. |
 | 9/13/2003: Adusted all UniversalStepper manuals to document version 1.71 of the
GenStepper firmware. Adjusted the NCStepper manual to document version
1.42 of the firmware. Adjusted RelayStepper manual to document version
1.5 of the firmware. Adjusted HalfPowerNotes to the current versions
of all firmwares. The common firmware change: now senses the presence
of a 1K resistor between SO and GND, to force the firmware to automatically
select 1/2 power mode on reset/power on. |
 | 9/9/2003: Added RelayStepper manual and sample code, to document
the new RelayStepper firmware. Adjusted HalfPowerNotes and FirstUse to
include references to RelayStepper where needed. |
 | 9/6/2003: Updated the HalfPowerNotes manual, to further emphasize
use of the "1h" command. |
 | 8/11/2003: Updated all UniversalStepper manuals, FirstUse, and
the NCStepper manuals to include better documentation on how to identify
motor windings. |
 | 8/9/2003: Added better examples to the Basic Stamp Issues section
of FirstUse and HalfPowerNotes, slight update to GenStepperRelays. |
 | 8/4/2003: Added the preliminary GenStepperRelays.pdf application
note. |
 | 7/29/2003: Minor adjustments to FirstUse and HalfPowerNotes, to
further clarify the initial serial test sequence. |
 | 7/28/2003: Amended the FirstUse manual by adding the
Calculating Current Requirements section and by adding some caveats
about what happens when the controller is miss-wired. Added new
HalfPowerNotes preliminary manual which describes use of the half
power modes of operation of the GenStepper and NCStepper firmwares. |
 | 7/23/2003: Added new FirstUse manual, to allow first-time users
to more easily test their Peter Norberg Consulting, Inc. products |