How do I install the latest VCA firmware update?

We have released a new version of the Exoid Control Suite (ECS). To access this new ECS version, you will also need to update your VCA firmware to version 1.11.

Instructions on how to update your VCA firmware are provided below. Please note that if you do not intend to upgrade to the new version of the ECS, you do not need to follow these instructions.

Exoids with VCA firmware versions 1.2 or older cannot be updated using these instructions, please contact Izon support for help.

Required Software:

Exoid Control Suite - V1.2 or newer.
- This includes the 'VCA Tester' software used to update the VCA firmware.
VCA Firmware: this can be downloaded here.
FT_Prog - V3.12 or newer.
- This is a utility used to program the FTDI chip on the VCA accordingly. Instructions for downloading & installing this utility are below.

Downloading and Installing FT_Prog

Go to https://ftdichip.com/utilities
Select 'FT_Prog', as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Screenshot of utilities page on the FTDI website. FT_Prog is highlighted with a red box.
Click on the download link, as indicated in Figure 2.

Figure 2: FT_Prog download link, highlighted with a red box.
Open the downloaded zip file, named 'FT_Prog_v3.12.29.638-Installer' and run the 'FT_Prog_v 3.12.29.638-Installer’ application.
Note: The version number following 'FT_Prog_' may differ depending on the most up-to-date version from FTDI.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Instructions

Upgrading the VCA firmware

Connect the USB cable to the accompanying PC and power the Exoid on.
Open the ‘VCA Tester’ app, in the following location:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Izon\ECS\Exoid Control Suite
The app should automatically connect to the VCA. If this is NOT the case, please stop and contact Izon Support.
Verify the current VCA firmware version is 1.3 or newer, as shown in Figure 3. If the current
firmware version is 1.2 or older, stop and contact Izon Support to return the Exoid for service.

Figure 3: Main window of the VCA Tester. VCA firmware version is shown as FW = 1.11
Select the 'FW Upgrade’ button highlighted in the red box in Figure 3, next to the VCA serial number.
Select ‘Browse’ and select the VCA firmware file you wish to update to, as shown in the example in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Firmware upgrade window of the VCA tester, showing the firmware file selected ready for update. Firmware version 1.11 is used in this example. This number may be different for you but should match the firmware version you are updating.
Select 'Upgrade' to update the VCA. This process may take up to 5 minutes. Once complete, the message shown in Figure 5 will appear.

Figure 5: Message window that is shown once the VCA firmware update is complete.
Follow the instructions of the message window shown in Figure 5.
1. Unplug the USB cable from the back of the Exoid.
2. Power off the Exoid.
3. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
4. Press 'OK' to close the VCA Tester.
5. Plug in the USB cable.
6. Power on the Exoid.
7. Restart the VCA Tester.
Verify the firmware version is updated as intended, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Main window of the VCA Tester, showing the new VCA firmware version (FW = 1.11 in this example. This number may be different for you but should match the version number you are updating to).
Close the VCA Tester.
Proceed to verify and reprogramme the USB driver of the VCA, as per instructions below.

Verifying and Reprogramming the USB Driver of the VCA

Ensure you have updated your VCA firmware to V1.11 before proceeding with updating the USB driver.

VCA firmware versions 1.7 and newer require the VCA USB driver to be set to 'D2XX Direct' to ensure stable operation of the ECS.

The FT_Prog tool is used to verify and reprogram the VCA USB driver to 'D2XX Direct':

Connect the USB cable to the accompanying PC and power the Exoid on.
Open FT_Prog.
Select the 'DEVICES' menu and select 'Scan and Parse', as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Initiating a scan and parse from the FT_Prog main window.
A device will appear in the 'Device Tree' window. Select 'Device 0' in the tree and verify that the 'Product Desc.' property on the right-hand side is 'VCA2', as shown in Figure 8. If this is not the case and other devices are listed, move to the next device until the 'Product Desc.' property is correct.

Figure 8: Viewing Device 0 properties FT_Prog, showing the 'Product Desc.' value is 'VCA2'.
Under 'Device 0', select FT EEPROM > Hardware Specific > Port A > Driver, as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Viewing the Port A Driver property of Device 0, which is set to 'Virtual COM Port'.
1. If the 'D2XX Direct' property is already selected, the VCA is already configured correctly and no further steps are required. Stop here, close the FT_Prog and use the Exoid as normal.
2. If the 'Virtual COM Port' property is selected, select 'D2XX Direct' instead and proceed with the steps below.
Before applying the change, select FT EEPROM > USB String Descriptors, and ensure "Auto Generate Serial No." is not checked, as shown in Figure 10. Do not modify any other properties on this page.

Figure 10: USB String Descriptor properties, showing Auto Generate Serial No. not checked.
To apply the change, select the 'DEVICES' menu and select 'Program' as per Figure 11.

Figure 11: Program the device to apply the change.
The 'Program Devices' window will appear. Select 'Program' and wait until the window indicates that programming has completed successfully, as shown in Figure 12. The text will change fairly quickly from "Programming Successful" to "Ready", so keep a close eye on it.

Figure 12: Programming complete.
Select 'Close', exit FT_Prog and disconnect the USB cable.
The VCA USB mode has now been correctly programmed and the instrument can be used as normal.