Information about firmware versions
The software that is installed on your MICROBEAST PLUS controller is what we call a "firmware". This firmware can be updated (i.e. for improvements, fixes, new features, ...) by downloading a file from the internet and flashing this on the device. To distinguish between firmware files each firmware has a unique version number "X.Y.Z" where "X" is the major version, "Y" is the minor version and "Z" is the patch version. You can say that when the major version ("X") changes then a lot will be different between two versions. When minor version "Y" increases, there will be a few new features or parameters. A change in "Z" is only a patch or fix that shouldn't be greatly noticable expect for some very little improvements. From our Changelog you can find out differences between versions. In general it is always recommended to stay with the latest version as this should give you the most features and benefits.
Reading the current firmware version
When connecting your MICROBEAST PLUS with the StudioX app or software the firmware version is the first thing you will see when the overview screen opens. In case there is a firmware update available usually there also should pop up some information message. Then you may update your device right away or read here what has changed in decide if it's useful for you to update.
LED display of the device
Reading the firmware version from StudioX is the most convenient way but it also to read the firmware without the help of an external device. After powering up MICROBEAST PLUS it performs a brief initialization phase. A quick self test turns all menu LEDs on simultaneously and the Status LED cycles through all colors. Then, for about 3 seconds, the Status LED turns red and the first two digits (X and Y) of the internal firmware version are shown. In the remaining time a running light of the LEDs A - G signals that the sensors are being calibrated and the LEDs H - N do indicate the initialization of the receiver signals. During the initialization phase (i.e. when viewing the firmware version or later) briefly push the button to display the third digit (Z) of the firmware version. Here the Status LED flashes purple. Again briefly press the button and the color of the Status LED changes to flashing blue. Now you can read the firmware‘s data version "X.Y" from the display. If you press the button for a third time, the Status LED goes off and the hardware version "X.Y" of this MICROBEAST PLUS device is displayed. Press the button for a last time to leave the version display and to view the running light for status information.
Representation of values
The representation of all values is in binary using the Menu LEDs. When a Menu LED is lit up this stands for "1", when the LED is off this means "0". The least significant bits are A and H. The type of value that is currently displayed is represented by the color of the Status LED as described above.
Firmware version
As mentioned above the firmware version consists of three values "X.Y.Z". "X" and "Y" are displayed automaticaly before the
initialization sequence. "X" is represented by Menu LEDs A - G, "Y" is represented by letters H - N. The "Z" value is
shown if the button is pressed once while initialization takes place. To display "Z" all LEDs A - N are used.
Data version
The data version consists of two values "X.Y" which are displayed at the same time through menu LEDs A - G
for "X" and H - N for "Y".
Hardware version
The hardware version consists of two values "X.Y" which are displayed at the same time through menu LEDs
A - G for "X" and H - N for "Y".