NimbeLink Skywire LTE CAT4 Use and care manual

Skywire
®
LTE CAT4
Firmware Update
NimbeLink Corp
Updated: September 2018
PN 30270 rev 5 © NimbeLink Corp. 2018. All rights reserved. 1

Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
Introduction 3
Options for Updating Firmware 3
Overview 3
Orderable Parts 3
Hardware and Software 4
Switching Firmwares 4
Firmware Update 5
Download the Update ZIP File and USB Drivers 5
Install the USB Driver 5
Install the Firmware Upgrade Utility (If Applicable) 7
Update the Firmware 7
Introduction 7
Verizon Firmware 8
AT&T Firmware 9
Verify Firmware Update 11
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1. Introduction
1.1 Options for Updating Firmware
There are 3 methods to update firmware on modules:
1) Direct connection using a Windows utility. This procedure is covered in this
document.
2) Direct connection using a Linux utility. For more information on this method,
please request access by emailing: [email protected]
3) Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) update using Sierra Wireless' AirVantage service.
This procedure is outlined in this application note 1001696: FOTA Update
Procedure for NL-SW-LTE-S7588-x:
https://nimbelink.com/Documentation/Skywire/4G_LTE_Cat_4/1001696_NL-SW-
LTE-S7588-x_FOTA-Guide.pdf
1.2 Overview
This document outlines the steps for updating the firmware on the Skywire® LTE CAT4
modem using a direct connection to a Windows PC.
The NL-SW-LTE-S7588-V, NL-SW-LTE-S7588-V-B, NL-SW-UAV-S7588,
NL-SW-LTE-S7588-T and NL-SW-LTE-S7588-T-C all use common hardware that has
different firmware flashed to it during manufacturing. Users are able to load
AT&T/T-Mobile or Verizon firmware onto any of the aforementioned devices for use with
their prefered carrier. This document will refer to all of the previously listed devices as
'the modem' for the sake of brevity.
1.3 Orderable Parts
Orderable Device
Firmware
Revision
Description
Manufacturer
Carrier
NL-SW-LTE-S7588-V
V.3.6
4G LTE CAT4 Verizon
NimbeLink
Verizon
NL-SW-LTE-S7588-V-B
V.3.15
4G LTE CAT4 Verizon
NimbeLink
Verizon
NL-SW-UAV-S7588
V.3.14
4G LTE CAT4 Verizon
NimbeLink
Verizon
NL-SW-LTE-S7588-T
A.2.10
4G LTE CAT4
AT&T/T-Mobile
NimbeLink
AT&T/T-Mobile
NL-SW-LTE-S7588-T-C
A.2.13
4G LTE CAT4
AT&T/T-Mobile
NimbeLink
AT&T/T-Mobile
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1.4 Hardware and Software
This procedure has been tested on Windows 7 and Windows 10, which is the Windows
version we recommended. It may be possible to use the procedure on Windows 8.1, but
it has not been tested and is not supported or recommended.
In order to provide access to the most current and up to date files, firmware and USB
drivers are available for download from Sierra Wireless. Users will need to register on
their website in order to access them. Firmware versions references in this document
may be different than the firmware versions downloaded from Sierra Wireless.
1.5 Switching Firmwares
Since the NL-SW-LTE-S7588-V and NL-SW-LTE-S7588-T Skywires share the same
hardware, it is possible to load the S7588-T's firmware on a S7588-V, and vice versa.
Please note that this can only be done reliably once. Loading a different firmware
on the part more than once may corrupt the flash memory and permanently
damage the Skywire, voiding the war ranty.
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2. Firmware Update
2.1 Download the Update ZIP File and USB Drivers
Before connecting the modem to your workstation, download the USB drivers and
firmware update packages and extract them to a known location.
● USB Driver:
https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/hl7588-usb-drivers/
● AT&T Firmware (A2.13) and Verizon Firmware (V3.15)
Note: Verizon firmware version V3.13 is not supported, please use V3.15)
https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/hl7588-firmware/
● Verizon Airborne LTE Operations(ALO) Firmware (V3.14) can be requested from
[email protected]
2.2 Install the USB Driver
Unzip the downloaded file co a known location. Navigate to that location, open the
WMC_comneon8_v4.xx.0 folder, and, as Administrator, run the setup.exe.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
Note: you may have a newer driver version than indicated in the below pictures.
Note: This may take several minutes to complete.
Below are screenshots of various stages of the process:
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Initial Screen
Progress Bar
Note: You may get a window that pops up asking if you would like to reset your
device now or later. Select "Later".
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2.3 Install the Firmware Upgrade Utility (If Applicable)
If included in your update files, extract the file flashusb_driver_1_0_1_1.zip to a
known location. This file may be contained inside of both of the firmware update
packages (AT&T or Verizon) for the modem. Open the directory
flashusb_driver_1_0_1_1 and open the folder corresponding to your architecture
( x86 or X64 ). Run, as Administrator, setup.exe and f ollow the instructions to install
the software.
Initial Screen
Finished Screen
Once the software is finished installing, click "Exit"
Reboot your workstation.
2.4 Update the Firmware
2.4.1 Introduction
The firmware update process is the same for all NL-SW-LTE-S7588-x Skywires. This
section uses the V.3.15 firmware as an example in the Verizon section, and A.2.10 in
the AT&T/T-Mobile section. Substitute the .exe file mentioned for your specific
firmware.
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2.4.2 Verizon Firmware
Once your system has rebooted, navigate to the extracted Verizon firmware file that you
have downloaded. Then, as Administrator, run
RHL75xx.V.3.15.151600.201802071640.x7160_1_signed_EXE.exe
You will see the following screen:
Initial Screen
Plug your modem into the Skywire Development Kit, plug the USB cable into Port J5,
plug in the power cable, and plug the USB cable into your workstation. Press the
ON_BTN, and the upgrade process should start. If it does not, remove power, reapply
power, and press the ON_BTN again.
The firmware upgrade process should take less than 10 seconds over USB 2.0. During
the process, you will see a screen similar to:
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Firmware Upgrade Progress
Once your firmware upgrade is complete, you will see a screen similar to the following:
Firmware Upgrade Complete
If the firmware upgrade process was successful, this screen will automatically close. If it
did not, errors will be reported here.
2.4.3 AT&T Firmware
Once your system has rebooted, navigate to the extracted AT&T firmware file. Then, as
Administrator, run:
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RHL75xx.A.2.10.151600.201604151852.x7160_1_signed.exe
You will see something similar to the following screen:
Initial Screen
Plug your modem into the Skywire Development Kit, plug the USB cable into Port J5,
plug in the power cable, and plug the USB cable into your workstation. Press the
ON_BTN, and the upgrade process should start. If it does not, remove power, reapply
power, and press the ON_BTN again.
The firmware upgrade process should take less than 10 seconds over USB 2.0. During
the process, you will see a screen similar to:
Firmware Upgrade Progress
Once your firmware upgrade is complete, you will see a screen similar to the following:
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Firmware Upgrade Complete
If the firmware upgrade process was successful, this screen will automatically close. If it
did not, errors will be reported here.
2.5 Verify Firmware Update
Remove power and USB from your modem. Wait ten seconds, and reapply power and
USB, and press the ON_BTN.
Using the terminal program of your choice (PuTTY, TeraTerm, etc.), connect to the
modem. In your Device Manager, look for IMC Port (USB2), and look for your COM
number. In the case of this example, it is COM63:
Once connected, issue:
AT+CGMR
To the modem to confirm the Firmware Version. At the time of the writing of this
document the latest firmware versions are:
Verizon Firmware: RHL75xx.V.3.15.151600.201802071640.x7160_1
AT&T Firmware: RHL75xx.A.2.13.151600.201802201800.x7160_1
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