Q.station & Q.monixx Controller
      Back to home
      1. GI.knowledgebase
      2. Data Acquisition Hardware
      3. Q.station & Q.monixx Controller

      How to Update the Firmware on a Q.station Controller

      This article provides procedures for updating the firmware that resides on the Q.station 101 and Q.station X controller.

      Table of contents

      1. Update firmware using GI.bench

      2. Update firmware using the Firmware Manager

      3. Special procedure for firmware update from v2.11/2.12 to v2.15

      Update firmware using GI.bench

      To update the controller firmware, ensure that the PC running GI.bench has internet access. If internet access is not available, you can download the latest controller firmware from Gantner Instruments' public SharePoint and then proceed to step 4 in the instructions below.

      1. Run GI.bench, go to the Device Manager via the GI.service menu (GI icon in the PC system tray > Device manager).

      2. Right-click the connected controller and select Firmware update > Check for new firmware online...

      3. If a newer firmware is available, a window will pop up asking you to download it. Click OK to proceed.

      4. Next, right-click the controller again and select Firmware update > Update firmware of device...


        Note: If the "Update firmware of device..." option is disabled, please check the network settings of both the controller and the PC to ensure they are within the same network range or that communication is not blocked by a firewall.

      5. In the next window select the latest firmware version and click OK. If the firmware file was provided through another method, click Open file... to select the correct firmware file.

      6. Click Yes when asked if it is okay to interrupt to measurement mode of the controller. The controller firmware is now being updated. This process may take a few minutes. A message will be displayed when the update is successfully completed.

      7. Confirm that the new firmware has been successfully installed by reading (Project Settings tab > Read) in GI.bench or by going back to Device Manager after the controller boots up and then clicking Scan again.

      Update firmware using the Firmware Manager

      The Firmware Manager may be used to update the controller firmware in case GI.bench is not available.

      1. Download the latest Q.station controller firmware.
      2. Download GInsFirmwareManager.exe.

      3. Start GInsFirmwareManager.exe and enter the IP address of the controller. The port number should be set to 1200 (default). Click Connect. A Successfully connected to Device: IP address message confirms a successful connection.

        👉 If there is an active DHCP server in the network, click Request DHCP to ensure that the device will get the correct IP address.

      4. Enable Update Firmware and click Select Firmware to select the firmware package that you want to install (for example MK175#CT_V3-32#FN_Standard#_2.15.xx.ZIP).

      5. Select Update Firmware from the drop-down list and click Start Action. Wait until finished. A 'Device firmware update successfully finished!' message confirms a successful firmware update.

      Special procedure for updating firmware from v2.11/2.12 to v2.15

      Due to the switch from a package-based update to an image-based update, re-partitioning of the internal drive on the Q.station controller is required. To achieve this, a USB drive containing a service system must be booted, bringing the device into maintenance mode. The following steps are necessary to enter maintenance mode on the Q.station controller:

      Preparation

      1. Download gins-boot-image-service.iso.

      2. Download the latest Q.station firmware.

      3. Download Firmware Manager.

      4. Download and run Rufus to create a bootable USB drive using an ISO Image. Select gins-boot-image-service.iso and click Start.

      Set the controller to MAINTENANCE mode

      1. Switch off the Q.station controller.

      2. Plug the USB drive into one of the controller's USB ports (check that no SD card is installed).

      3. Connect a USB keyboard to the other USB port.

      4. Power on the Q.station and promptly initiate the process by alternately pressing F10 and F11 for a minimum of 10 seconds.

      5. Press 2x the up arrow key (↑).

      6. Press the Enter key to commence the installation of the Linux image. Allow approximately 5 minutes for the process to conclude. If the Q.station is equipped with a display, wait until it displays "qstation login."

      Installing the firmware

      1. Start GInsFirmwareManager.exe and click Device Scan and check if the controller is found in MAINTENANCE mode.

        👉 Device Scan only works if GI.bench is running, if there is no version of GI.bench installed please enter the IP address of the controller manually.

        👉 If there is an active DHCP server in the network, click Request DHCP to ensure that the device will get the correct IP address.

      2. Click Connect. Successfully connected should be shown at the bottom.

      3. Enable Update Firmware and click Select Firmware to select the firmware that you want to install (for example MK175#CT_V3-32#FN_Standard#_2.15.xx.ZIP).

      4. Select Initialize Device and click Start Action. Wait until finished. Remove the USB drive only when asked for and follow the instructions carefully.

      5. Perform a power cycle of the Q.station to complete the installation.

      In the event of a failed firmware update, check if the device retains the same IP address after being set to MAINTENANCE mode. If not, use the Device Manager in GI.bench or GI.monitor to reset the IP address to the original one, and then restart the firmware installation process.