VDrive2/VMusic2 .ROM Download cable

BCJKiwi

Senior Member
These instructions have been tested on the VDrive2 and I believe will also work for the VMusic2.

The use and connection details of the max232 RS232 chip for this cable were supplied by Tarzan - this post is simply my implementation of Tarzan's work for which I am indebted.

This download cable is required to use the bootloader of the FTDI/Vinculum VDrive2 to update the firmware in the VNC1L chip which drives these units. The cable connects a standard PC serial port to the 0.08" 9 pin header on the drive.
It should only be required if you have units with FW versions V03.55, V03.54 and V03.51 which have a bug in the firmware which prevents updating automatically from the USB port.

The attached circuit and photo show the board layout and assembly. The Caps are all 1uF electrolytics - watch the polarity.
A machined socket was cut and used to make the header connectors at positions 9 thru 12 and 15,16. Proto board jumper cables are used to connect the flylead socket supplied with the VDrive2 to these headers and to 5V/0V on the protoboard regulated supply, and to connect the protoboard 5V/0V to this cable.

Download the VProg_com.exe file and the appropriate .ROM file for your device from http://www.vinculum.com/downloads.html

Prise the top half of the cover directly upward from the unit.
Ensure the jumper at CN3 is on the pins furthest from the 0.08" 9 pin header.
Ensure that the jumper at CN4 is furthest from the front edge of the board.
These jumpers must be set prior to powering the unit.

Set the serial port in the PC to 115200 Baud,n,8,1 and Flow Control to 'Hardware'. These are the default settings for the VDrive2 Bootloader.

Power up the VDrive2 and download cable.

Run Vprog_com.exe and select the com port and file then click 'program'.

The cable is constructed on a scrap of vero or strip board. the primary device is a Max232 RS232 Chip.
External connections (using the 16pin chip pin numbers) are:-
7 PC CTS (DB9 pin8)
8 PC RTS (DB9 pin7)
9 Vdrive2 CTS (Green)
10 VDrive2 RTS (Brown)
11 VDrive2 Tx (Yellow)
12 VDrive2 Rx (Orange)
13 PC Tx (DB9 pin3)
14 PC Rx (DB9 pin2)
15 0V (Black)
16 5V (Red)

The connections thru the max232 chip achieved are;
PC Tx --> MAX232 R1IN --> MAX232 R1OUT --> VDrive2 Rx
VDrive2 Tx --> MAX232 T1IN --> MAX232 T1OUT --> PC Rx.
&
PC RTS --> MAX232 R2IN --> MAX232 R2OUT --> VDrive2 CTS
VDrive2 RTS --> MAX232 T2IN --> MAX232 T2OUT --> PC CTS

With the standard Maxim max232 chip, the data sheet advises that with a 5v supply on Vcc and Vs+ and with Vs- at 0v, the
Voltage level at VDrive2 Rx should be a max of 3.5V
Voltage level at PC DB9 Rx should be a max of 7V
 

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