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Version History of SuperTimer II Hardware and Firmware

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Firmware is located inside the large, 28-pin integrated circuit on the SuperTimer II circuit board near the Option switch. Firmware version is specific to hardware version. The hardware version is located near the other 28-pin chip. The number before the '.' MUST match. The firmware version is announced at the end of the startup test.

Hardware History

• Version 4.xx - This hardware represents a significant change due to a new speech chip (the previous chip is no longer available). In addition, this circuit uses the more modern and rugged surface mount technology.
• Version 3.xx - This hardware replaced the Orange/Green connector with an RJ-45 connector in the center of the SuperTimer II circuit board and an additional circuit board under the track which also has an RJ-45 connector with a 7' cable between the two. (RJ-45 is similar to a telephone cable but wider).
• Version 2.xx - This hardware version added a circuit board for the Solenoid Start and has power applied at the start instead of at SuperTimer II, which makes the solenoid stronger. Lanes were still connected directly thru the Orange/Green connector on SuperTimer II. We do have an update to add an RJ-45 connector and cable.
• Version 1.xx - The original SuperTimer II. In this version, the power connection is on SuperTimer II and the Solenoid Start consists of components connected by wires. The finish sensor/LED wires connect directly to SuperTimer II at an Orange/Green connector.
  

Firmware History

Version 4.01 - released Janary 2009

• Original firmware for revision 4.xx surface mount board with new speech chip.

Version 3.14, 2.14 and 1.14 - released 3/03/03

• Add 'lane' and lane to startup LED test.

Version 3.11, 2.11 and 1.11 - released 9/04/02

• Fixed no-start problem caused by 50' start cable.

Version 3.10, 2.10 and 1.10 - released 8/29/02

• Revised main loop to eliminate start interrupt and test of red button actuation. Any gate drop during 'ready' will now produce a normal start. Useful for those who don't want to use the Red Button.
• Added quick exit of result speech if gate closed after first full announcement.
• Added lane/LED test. Hold Red Button when powering up. Hit each sensor, the speakers will say the lane and the lane LED will light. Push the Red Button to exit.
• All versions changed to x.10 Revisions require use of larger 876 microcontroller which already exists in Rev 3 units.

Version 3.01 - Original with larger 876 pic microcontroller for hardware version 3.xx

Version 2.03, 1.07

• Added number of enabled lanes to end of version announcement during speech test. (ie. version 2.03x, where x is the number of lanes.)

Version 2.02, 1.06

• Added LED test at startup. Lane LEDs light from highest to Lane 1 for one second each.

Version 2.01, 1.05

• Miscellaneous small changes, code cleanup. first release of hardware version 2.xx

Earlier version of 1.xx generally fixed small bugs very early in the program