Skip to main content

Challenger firmware upgrade using CTPlus Firmware loader

  • Updated

Introduction

This article covers using the built in firmware loader tool in CTPlus to upgrade firmware of Challenger10 and ChallengerPlus panels

To use CTPlus' built in firmware loader tool, you will need to put the Challenger panel into firmware loader mode, and connect it to your computer, running CTPlus, via a USB cable.

NOTE - IF YOU HAVE PRE V10-06 FIRMWARE:  If you are upgrading a panel running PRE V10-06 firmware, you should follow the steps in the following article here first to read the warning on Text Words, and see if you need to upgrade the bootloader:

Challenger10 pre V10-06 firmware upgrading procedure

 

WARNING:  You should ensure you have a copy of the programming in the panel before upgrading, as depending on the upgrade you are performing, and the versions you are going from / to, panel programming may be lost in the process, so we always recommend having a copy of any programming first.

 

Preparation

You will need:

  • A Windows PC with a USB port (the PC will need to meet the specs to run CTPlus, as found in the CTPlus datasheet)
  • A USB cable that fits the USB port on your Challenger10 panel
  • Your Challenger10 panel
  • Two jumpers to use on the TEST 1 & 2 jumpers on the Challenger10 panel
  • The latest CTPlus software - available here:  https://aritech.com.au/document-category/software/
  • An internet connection to sync the latest firmware into CTPlus

 

The Process

 

Preparing CTPlus

  • Make sure the latest version of CTPlus is installed (see the link above)
  • In CTPlus, go to "Administration" > "Sync firmware".  This will download all latest available firmware into CTPlus (note that this requires an internet connection)
  • Now go to "Administration" > "Firmware loader".  This will open the built in Firmware loader tool
  • Press the "Select File..." button
  • You can now select the latest relevant firmware for your device.  Note that for a Challenger10 / ChallengerPlus panel, you can choose to load either:

    • The last available TS1016 - V10-06 Challenger10 firmware released if you wish to run the Challenger panel as a Challenger10 panel for upgrade purposes.

      NOTE:  If you are upgrading from PRE V10-06 firmware, we recommend upgrading to this firmware FIRST and ensuring the upgrade process has worked before upgrading to V10-07 ChallengerPlus firmware.

    • The latest available TS-CHPLUS - V10-07 ChallengerPlus firmware for all current features and support, including UltraSync connectivity
    • Or you can press the "password" button if you have been given a password for a specific pre-release firmware version for testing
  • Once you have selected the desired firmware, press OK

 

Putting the panel in firmware loader mode

  • Power down the panel
  • Fit the two jumpers across the TEST 1 & 2 locations on the panel
  • Power up the panel.  The red L1 heartbeat LED should be flashing quickly, and this indicates that the panel is now in firmware loading mode

 

Connecting to CTPlus and programming the firmware

  • Connect the USB cable between the Challenger10 panel and the PC
  • After a moment, in the top area of the firmware loader window, you should see the "Device" and other detail fields now update to reflect the connected panel.  It will look something like the following:

NOTE:  If your panel does not detect in the firmware loader window, first check that you have put it correctly into the firmware loader mode above, and then also check that your USB cable is good, and that you can see a serial device appear in Windows Device Manager when it is plugged in.  However if it still does not appear here, and you have a panel with older pre V10-06 firmware, you will need to follow the steps in the article here first to upgrade the bootloader:  Challenger10 pre V10-06 firmware upgrading procedure

  • Once it has detected in the firmware loader window, now press the "Program File..." button, and click yes to the confirmation if you have confirmed you have selected the correct firmware, and are ready to proceed
  • The firmware upgrade process will begin.  You will see a progress status percentage in the middle of the Firmware loader window
  • DO NOT POWER DOWN THE PANEL AT THIS STAGE as it may cause fatal failure of the panel
  • Once the firmware update has completed, you will receive a message telling you it is complete, and to please disconnect your device
  • Power down the panel, and remove the TEST 1 & 2 jumpers
  • Now power up the panel again.  Initially for around 10 seconds you will see the red L1 heartbeat LED flash quickly while the firmware is applying
  • DO NOT POWER DOWN THE PANEL AT THIS STAGE as it may cause fatal failure of the panel
  • Once the firmware has applied, the red L1 heartbeat LED will return to flashing at a slow pace

 

The process is now complete, and the panel is now ready for use.

 

Related articles