WC8 3.02.18d2 firmware and documentation released

3.02.18d2 firmware is not to replace 3.02.18b2 firmware. 3.02.18b2 firmware will be the shipping firmware. The differences are:
1) removed DS2438 support;
2) added SPIBYTE PLC command to communicate with SPI bus
3) added SREBOOT PLC command for user force rescan the 1-wire bus.
 
User guide can be found at:

http://www.cainetworks.com/manuals/webcontrol/WebControlPLCUserGuide3-02-18d.pdf

 
update instruction can be found at:
 

http://www.cainetworks.com/support/how-to-update.html

 
Firmware download can be found here at:
 
http://www.cainetworks.com/support/download/wc8plc030218d2-update.zip
 
As usual, any bug report, suggestion for improving WC8 firmware  is welcome.

Strange the support for the DS2438 would be removed. The SWE3 from sheepwalkelectronics.co.uk, using the DS2438, seemed to be one of the only 1wire supporters with a  humidity sensr capability.
 
The SWE3 module also supports built-in temperature readings and, as well, is available without the humidity sensor for other remote analogue input to be converted and send over the 1wire communications bus.

By default, WC8 firmware is 3.02.18b2, which has DS2438 support.
3.02.18d firmware removed DS2438 support, but added SPI bus support.
If you need to use DS2438, please use 3.02.18b2 firmware.  There is no known bug in 3.02.18b2 firmware and it is a stable version.
 
Release of 3.02.18d2 firmware is to let users test out SPI bus, so that we can improve SPI sensors support.
 
Both 3.02.18b2 and 3.02.18d2 firmware have I2C support.  Ross even published his I2C communication code to pressure sensor.  I think Ross also tested AM2321 I2C temperature and humidity sensor.

This is too bad the DS2438 main registers could not be left intact but remove the Discharge and charge accumulators.  Unless you were creating an actual battery charger these would probably not be useful.
 
However, the temperature sensor and the A/D input on the DS2438 may give the only 1wire A/D input input to the WC8 board making it useful in many more applications like the Sheepwalk Electronics SWE3 board with a humidity sensor. Others have contacted Sheepwalk and requested the SWE3 board be available without the humidity sensor (they have complied) for usage with other analogue sensors hooked into it's A/D input.
 
I don't know if this compromise would save enough EPROM space to make it worth the division of support effort.
 
Thanks.

Larry,
 
This is not to save EPROM.  This is to fit everything into RAM, so that HTTP, WEBSET and EMAIL can process faster.
Do you have any SPI bus sensor you are considering to use?  This version is specially for users want to connect SPI sensors.

We updated 3.02.18d3 firmware that includes the DS18B20 reading 0.5C chip reconfigure to 0.1C logic
The download link is at:
http://www.cainetworks.com/support/download/wc8plc030218d3-update.zip
 
Other than that, it is all the same to last 18d2 version.

18dx series firmware is different from 18bx series with SPI bus support, but removed DS2438 support.
If you want to control SPI based device, you will need to update to this firmware.
 
Thanks for bgriffth's bug report on CNZ, CZ, BNZ, BZ,  we update this version fixed that problem.
You may download the firmware here:
http://www.cainetworks.com/support/download/wc8plc030218d4-update.zip
 
Update instruction and utility are same as previous posting.
Please do let us know your feedback and suggestions!  Thanks.

CAI_Support said:

18dx series firmware is different from 18bx series with SPI bus support, but removed DS2438 support.
If you want to control SPI based device, you will need to update to this firmware.
 
Thanks for bgriffth's bug report on CNZ, CZ, BNZ, BZ,  we update this version fixed that problem.
You may download the firmware here:
http://www.cainetworks.com/support/download/wc8plc030218d4-update.zip
 
Update instruction and utility are same as previous posting.
Please do let us know your feedback and suggestions!  Thanks.

Click to expand...

 Bugs? I guess you might be interested in validating the WC against a PC based software implementation of the interpreter ;-)

Efried said:

 Bugs? I guess you might be interested in validating the WC against a PC based software implementation of the interpreter ;-)

Click to expand...

 
If your software emulates the WC8 or WC32 based on the manuals description of the function of the codes... it wouldn't pick up this kind of bug... where the board isn't actually doing what the manual says it should!

rossw said:

If your software emulates the WC8 or WC32 based on the manuals description of the function of the codes... it wouldn't pick up this kind of bug... where the board isn't actually doing what the manual says it should!

Click to expand...

 Exactly, but CAI may well use their own intepreting code on the PC-simulator, performing a step through or running it against my outsider approach.