From: "Oba" ja7ude@gmail.com Date: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:38pm(PDT) Subject: Re: Computer Programming Ray, I had a look at the schematic diagram of IC-7000. IC-7000 uses a Renesas microcontroller HD64F2377. The firmware is stored in the flash ROM within the microcontroller chip. The microcontroller has an on-board programming facility, which allows an engineer to reprogram the firmware through a serial interface (SCI) without peeling the package off the board. If you take a close look at the schematic diagram, you will find RES#, FZMD, FZTX, and FZRX signals for this purpose. These signals, however, seem to be open-ended at a connector on the IC-7000 logic board. To reprogram the firmware, the user should put a special-made plug in the J1201 connector on the logic board. I agree with you, Ray, that it would be very difficult to reprogram the internal functionality without knowing the engineering information that only ICOM has. 73 de JA7UDE Oba --- In ic7000@yahoogroups.com, "Ray" wrote: > > I think the QST comment says that the radio does not have an interface that allows programming of the internal software defined functions. Unlike the IC-7800 which I understand can be reprogrammed via downloads. So reprogramming the interior digital functions would require a firmware ROM update unless there is a secret update path that I haven't read or heard about. It would be very difficult to reprogram the internal functionality without an very in-depth understanding of the digital and anolog design and I don't think ICOM is about to release that information. > > Of course it would be possible for someone with a lot of skill and time on their hands to reverse engineer the radio, but I don't know of any case where that has been done with the earlier designs of the PRO series so it probably will not be done with IC-7000. Also it may not be worthwhile based on the analog design which probably limits functionanality more so than the digital function definition. Maybe someone else can comment on this that has more experience with the internal functionality of the rig. > > As far as operational control there are several programs written (HamRadio Deluxe, Mixw, DXlogger, DIGIPAN) just to name a few. The only disadvantage is that the interface must conform to the CI-V requirements which means converting an RS-232 to TTL using simple transistor or MAX IC level converter circuits. There are several interfaces on the market for the CI-V function and if you are handy there are homebrew circuits posted on the internet you can build. Of course you can always buy the ICOM CT-17 converter. > > Ray, N0FY > > ========================================================================== From: "Adam Farson" farson@shaw.ca Date: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:58pm(PDT) Subject: Re: Computer Programming Hi Oba-san, Thanks for examining the Logic Unit. The SCI on J1201 suggests many intriguing possibilities, but without the source code and firmware design information - which Icom guards like the crown jewels - there is not much the owner/user can do with that interface. Best 73, Adam, VA7OJ/AB4OJ Owner, Yahoo! ic7000 Group ========================================================================== From: "Oba" ja7ude@gmail.com Date: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:15am(PDT) Subject: Re: Computer Programming Adam-san, Thanks for the comment. I agree with you 100%. Another fact I found interesting is that there is no direct path to reprogram the DSP firmware. It is stored in an EEPROM, but the programming interface is not exposed to the connector; rather it is connected to the general purpose I/O of the main microcontroller. It seems to me that the DSP firmware should firstly be loaded to the microcontroller, and then transferred to the EEPROM. 73 de JA7UDE Oba ========================================================================== From: "Ray" rcostell3@att.net Date: Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:50am(PDT) Subject: Re: Computer Programming The DSP functions probably cannot be improved on that much - ICOM has had a lot of experience with DSP. From what I am hearing in this forum is that if anything can be improved on it would be the audio quality of modulation. Does anyone know what the secret is for the SSB modulation??? It seems that folks are spending a lot of bucks $$$ on trying to enhance the SSB modulation with add-ons and fancy mics. From the group, I am hearing, poor mic quality, poor fidelity on all but the widest TBW setting, and low modulation or perhaps drive. N0FY, Ray ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ==========================================================================