Update/Restore EEPROM Calibration Data to a PowerSDR ...

Update/Restore EEPROM Calibration Data to a PowerSDR Database Procedure
Update/Restore EEPROM Calibration Data to a PowerSDR Database Procedure
System Dependencies
Minimum PowerSDR Version: 1.16.1
Applicable Hardware:
FLEX-5000 FLEX-3000
Content provided by: FlexRadio Systems Engineering
The FLEX-5000/3000 stores its calibration data in an EEPROM that is contained in the software
defined radio itself. This allows the FLEX-5000/3000 to retain pertinent calibration data that is
unique to the radio, allowing the FLEX-5000/3000 to be used with different versions of PowerSDR
or with different computers without having to perform any calibration procedures or to transfer
calibration data from previous versions of PowerSDR to a new database.
PowerSDR uses this radio specific calibration data every time the FLEX-5000/3000 is operated so
that the FLEX-5000/3000 functions in the most optimal manner. PowerSDR does not directly read
the calibration data from the EEPROM itself because the data transfer rates are too slow. What
PowerSDR does is it transfers all of the EEPROM's calibration data directly to the PowerSDR
database the first time the database is used or if the calibration data changes from running a
calibration procedure. You observe this operation happen when you start up PowerSDR with a
brand new database and it performs the calibration data transfer automatically. After the initial
calibration data transfer, subsequent starts of PowerSDR uses the calibration data stored in the
PowerSDR database (powersdr.mdb) and not the actual data stored in the radio's EEPROM.
Therefore it is very important that the calibration data in the FLEX-5000's EEPROM is
consistent with the calibration data in the PowerSDR database you are using.
As noted before, when a new database is used with PowerSDR, the transfer of EEPROM
calibration data to the PowerSDR database is automatic. There may be occasions where you do
not want to create a new database and lose all of your PowerSDR configuration settings, but you
do want to have the FLEX-5000/3000's calibration data stored in the EEPROM consistent
(updated) with the PowerSDR database you are using. The following procedure will update the
PowerSDR database with the FLEX-5000/3000's calibration data stored in the EEPROM without
modifying any other database parameters or information.
Update/Restore EEPROM Calibration Data to the PowerSDR Database Procedure
Step 1. Start PowerSDR v1.16.1
Step 2. Type + + C. The EEPROM management form will appear. See Figure

1 below.
Figure 1
WARNING: Be very careful using this EEPROM management form. Do not click on the
Save Calibration Data to EEPROM button without explicit instructions to do so or you
could possibly corrupt your EEPROM with bad calibration data. This action performs an
EEPROM write operation and if bad data is written to the EEPROM, you may have to return
your software defined radio to FlexRadio Systems for a full factory recalibration especially
if the PA Bridge data has been compromised.
Step 3. In the RX1/PA section, click on the " Restore Calibration Data to Database from
EEPROM" button. A confirmation dialog box will be displayed. Click on Yes to restore or update
the FLEX-5000 calibration data from the EEPROM to the PowerSDR database. See Figure 2
below.
Figure 2
After clicking on Yes, an EEPROM to database status indicator will be displayed. When the
transfer of data is complete, the dialog box will be cleared from the screen.See Figure 3 below.
Figure 3
Caution: If you receive any error messages starting with "Bad Data Detected in EEPROM",
this indicates that there is a data value stored in the FLEX-5000/3000 EEPROM that is not
within an acceptable range for that particular data element. Depending on which data
element is out of range, this can be a serious issue that requires immediate attention.
Write down every error message that is displayed in its entirety. This information is critical
for resolving the issue with the calibration data stored in the radio's EEPROM. Then
contact FlexRadio Support (support@flex-radio.com) immediately to determine the
corrective course of action which will probably require a re-calibration of of one or more
components of the transceiver.
Step 4. If you have a FLEX-5000 RX2 installed, click on the "Restore Calibration Data to

Database from EEPROM" button in the RX2 section of the EEPROM Management form. A
confirmation dialog box will be displayed. Click on Yes to restore or update the FLEX-5000
calibration data from the EEPROM to the PowerSDR database. See figure 4 below.
Figure 4
After clicking on Yes, an EEPROM to database status indicator will be displayed. When the
transfer of data is complete, the dialog box will be cleared from the screen.See Figure 5 below.
Figure 5
Caution: If you receive any error messages starting with "Bad Data Detected in EEPROM",
this indicates that there is a data value stored in the FLEX-5000 RX2 EEPROM that is not
within an acceptable range for that particular data element. Depending on which data
element is out of range, this can be a serious issue that requires immediate attention.
Write down every error message that is displayed in its entirety. This information is critical
for resolving the issue with the calibration data stored in the radio's EEPROM. Then
contact FlexRadio Support (support@flex-radio.com) immediately to determine the
corrective course of action which will probably require a re-calibration of of one or more
components of the transceiver.
Step 5. Close the EEPROM Management form and shut down PowerSDR. When PowerSDR is
restarted, updated calibration data will be consistent between the FLEX-5000/3000 and the
running PowerSDR database.
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Last Modified By: Administrator, Saturday, March 14, 2009

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Monday, August 17, 2009