Prog4 Programmer


DESCRIPTION
Prog4 is used with a computer to change settings in DT receivers.
Prog4 creates a wireless link between the computer and the receiver.
Prog4 should work with all 'surface' receivers sold since October 2013 (Rx4x, Rx6x, Rx10x).

Prog4 requires a cheap serial cable (not included) and freeware file transfer software (not included).



HARDWARE
Prog4 is connected to a computer with an RS232 serial cable.

Prog4
Power with 5v USB (3.2-10v needed)

RS232 serial cable
Search for CH340, FTDI or similar USB-to-TTL serial adapter cable
Green (TxD) = Pin7 input
White (RxD) = Pin6 output
Black = Negative -
Red = Positive +5v



SOFTWARE
One programming change is made at a time using a simple text file:

dt-type3.txt
The file can have any name and only the top three rows are normally used
The description to the right of the programming code is optional

The text file is transferred to Prog4 with file transfer software.
CoolTerm is an example of freeware software.
Sparkfun suggest other options.



STEPS
Prog4 operates in 1-way mode (most receivers) and 2-way mode (Rx65b and Rx47).
Prog4 always starts up in 1-way mode. Both Prog4 and the receiver should display a 3-flash in this mode.
If a receiver is capable of 2-way mode, they should both automatically go into this mode and both display a solid led.

-
1-way mode


2-way mode

CoolTerm settings
'COM4' depends on your computer
("Ignore receive signal errors" on Receive tab
may be necessary)
v1 uses 115200 baud.
v2 uses 9600 baud.
Same
Connect Prog4 to PC and Prog4 (v1.2) will display 3-flash
(Prog4 up to v1.1 led will be on solid)
'Connect' CoolTerm to Prog4 to send files
Same
Switch receiver on and receiver led will 3-flash

Prog4 and Receiver led on solid
CoolTerm shows product names/software versions
'Send file' to Prog4
Prog4 will transmit automatically
Same
'Tx OK' = Transmited to receiver
Led on receiver will flicker if accepted
File size and 'Rx OK' = Accepted by receiver
Disconnect Prog4 from PC when not needed
Prog4 will shut down after 5 minutes no activity
Same



TEST CONNECTION
Send a dt-type0.txt file with 4,1 command to Prog4 with receiver switched off. Prog4 should reply by sending its version number back to Coolterm.



BINDING
Prog4 needs to be bound to each receiver once. Your receiver will still remember the bind info for your proper transmitter:

Switch Receiver ON and wait ~20s for bind mode (led rapid flash).
Press Prog4 button and plug Prog4 into PC to switch it on
Led's should flash then '3-flash' on most receivers if successful (Rx65b/Rx47 led ON solid)



COMPATIBILITY / PROGRAMMING OPTIONS

Prog4 works with software released since October 2013. Compatible receivers and software versions are listed below. The receiver board ID (eg: 60b) is machine printed on the PCB. The version of the software is usually hand-written on the largest black chip on the receiver. If there are more than two numbers, use the first two numbers (top/left).

Version Marking Rx60b Rx61b Rx61c Rx62a Rx63a Rx65a Rx65b
610-x 10x v610
v610
- v610
v610
v610
-
611-x 11x - - v611
v611
- - v611*

* 2-way Prog4 from v611-2

Version Marking Rx41d-x-v5 Rx43d-x-v5 Rx45-v5 Rx45-5-v5 Rx45-22-v5
510-x 10x v510
v510
v510
v510
-
511-x 11x - - - - v511

Version Rx102 Rx105
110-x v110
v110



MORE DETAILS

1-way mode

Prog4 has two primary modes of operation. When switched on it transmits like a standard transmitter. Receivers lock on to the signal and Prog4 acts as a surrogate transmitter. Prog4 uses one frequency, channel 81, which is not normally used by other 2.4 users. Communication is 1-way in this mode. Only one change is possible each time a file is transmitted. After 5 minutes of no activity, Prog4 will stop transmitting, the led will go off, and it will 'sleep'.

2-way mode

Receivers that have space for larger programs can operate in a more advanced 2-way mode (Rx65b/Rx47). In this mode Prog4 can send larger files to the receiver so more than 1 change per file is possible. See next section for examples. The receiver informs Prog4 if the changes were applied successfully. The receiver can also send all its settings back to Prog4 to display on the PC. In this mode Prog4 only transmits when it has a file to send. It also goes into sleep mode after 5 minutes of no activity.

Prog4 always starts in the 1-way mode and changes to the 2-way mode automatically. The led on the receiver has a 3-flash pattern in 1-way mode and is on solid in 2-way mode. If you make changes in Rx65b/Rx47, you may wish to switch the receiver off to test a change with the proper transmitter. If you then wish to make another change and the Prog4 led is still on solid (not sleeping), then you can press the button on Prog4 briefly to restart the automatic connection process. Or (and if Prog4 led is off), switch Prog4 off and on



OTHER OPTIONS
All compatible receivers accept 'type3' files. Other 'types' and options are possible with some receivers:

type0 = commands
type1 = real-time changes (Prog1 equiv)
type2 = not implemented (Prog2 equiv)
type3 = normal programming (Prog3 equiv)

More details about types and file sizes
Sequenced light pattern examples
Multi-position channel examples






Home ¦ Videos ¦ About ¦ Buy ¦ Email