Connect V02.00.05 Release Notes

Last updated: 21st October 2014

Getting Started - Installation

Install Connect on Microsoft Windows (XP or later) by running the installation program provided. Your computer will need to have Microsoft .Net 4 installed too - in the unlikely event it hasn't the installer will download it from the internet, or you can obtain it directly from here.

What's New in V2?

Version 2 is a major update to Connect containing many updates based on user feedback and testing over the past few months. The new user interface is designed to make it easier to navigate and organise data associated with your Control Techniques' drives. New tools have been added to help organise parameter and macro files and produce reports comparing parameter values against factor defaults or a file. Printing and generating PDFs for comparison reports is also implemented. Support has also been improved for the entire range of Control Techniques' drives.

Product Overview Tour

To help you get started with the features in this major new release there are some tour and tutorial videos you may watch on the web:

View Tour Video

Changes in version V02.00.05 (from V02.00.04)

• Added Powerdrive F300 Connect to support F300 drives.
• HVAC/R Connect includes support for H300 drives.
• Updated M600, M700, M701, M702, M800 and M810 support for latest V01.10.00.00 drive firmware.
• Updated MCi200, MCi200, SI-Ethernet, SI-Universal Encoder, SI-EtherCAT, SI-PROFINET and SI-CANopen support for latest option firmware.
• Parameter file conversion utility: incorrect handling of SP parameter #3.41 and #3.48 - fixed

Changes in version V02.00.04 (from V02.00.03)

• Option modules added manually to a project may not be the latest version - fixed.

Changes in version V02.00.03 (from V02.00.02)

• Unidrive M Connect supports the latest Unidrive M drives and option modules.
• Parameters are automatically backed up and restored when doing a firmware update.
• Drive block diagrams updated.
• Parameter file conversion tool now does conversions from SK to Unidrive M parameter files. The conversion tool has also been improved for SP to Unidrive M conversion.
• Firmware download tool is only active when on-line.
• Parameter 11.031 can display the wrong mode when project first created - fixed.
• Adding parameter file then renaming it can cause a crash - fixed.
• Macro file editor, adding an option adds all parameters - fixed.
• Macro file editor, shows empty menus for option modules - fixed.
• Macro file editor, always saves file even when closed without saving - fixed.
• Motor Setup, changing model while motor setup is open does not update voltage and current settings - fixed.
• SI-Universal Encoder firmware update fails - fixed.
• Other minor bug fixes and improvements carried out.

Changes in version V02.00.02 (from V02.00.01)

• New HVAC/R Connect application, to be used with the CSD100 drive, included alongside Unidrive M Connect.
• Parameter and macro files can now be loaded / downloaded directly from within the parameter file editor tool.
• Fixed visualisation of data points in scope tool when sample rate set to <1ms.
• Faster and smaller installer.
• Various block diagram fixes.
• Various other bug fixes.

Changes in version V02.00.01 (from V02.00.00)

• Fixed a problem where speed controller gain parameters (e.g. 03.010) may be scaled incorrectly after downloading a parameter file (occurred on PCs where decimal separator is a comma).
• Fixed the 'Browse' button on the New Project dialog box.
• Simplified the UI when building a project from network.
• Added ability to 'Identify' a drive on Ethernet (flash network port LEDs) via the right-click context menu for a drive in the tree.
• Fixed some Unidrive SP parameter file conversion issues. Note that conversion from Commander SK is not supported yet, but will be soon.
• Additional block diagram updates.
• Other minor bug fixes and improvements.

Changes in version V02.00.00 (from V01.05.02)

• Major new version with a brand new user interface and significant improvements to overall usability and reliability.
• New project tree and re-organised ribbon bar provide quick access to all major features.
  • If desired, the ribbon can be minimised to make the most of screen space. All commands can then be accessed by right-clicking in the tree or the drive dashboards.
• Ability to go on/offline to drives within a project and to go online with more than one drive at a time.
• Simplified creating a project of drives that are connected to your PC.
• New parameter file capabilities:
  • Easier ways to create, compare, load and print parameter files
  • New parameter file editor lets you view and edit contents of a file
• New "Macro Files" feature which allows you to create a file with a small set of parameter for setting up particular drive features, e.g. you can create a file containing just the motor settings or just application menu 18 parameters.
• New parameter compare tool:
  • Compare parameter values against default values
  • Compare values against a previously saved parameter or macro file
  • Save to comma-delimited file
• Improved custom list creation tool
• Side-by-side views, e.g. look at two parameter listings for two drives side-by-side by switching the UI out of tabbed mode.
• New printing capabilities
  • Print parameter lists and parameter/macro files
  • Print comparison results, e.g. a list of differences from default
  • Export to PDF file
• Improvements to block diagrams, e.g. double-click a parameter to edit its value and better support of M702, M200-400.
• Improvements to firmware transfer tool
• Improved compatibility with entire Unidrive M range
• Support for latest Unidrive M drive firmware
• Online tour videos
• Many, many other fixes and improvements

Installation Notes

1. The installer will replace previous versions of Unidrive M Connect during the installation. Normally, there is no need to un-install older versions.
2. Installation can take quite some time to complete - whilst waiting why not look at the getting started videos online!
3. The installation supports the following operating systems and their minimum service pack: Windows XP with SP3, Windows Vista with SP2, Windows 7 with SP1, Windows 8 and 8.1.

Known Issues

• Downloading project/parameter files to M200-400: After downloading a parameter file to a M20x/300/400 drive that has a different mode set compared with the current drive mode please press Reset to activate the changes.
• Editing parameter titles: It is not yet possible to edit parameter titles. This will be implemented in an upcoming version.
• Parameter Compare Tool: Please be aware that this tool always compares offline data, so if you are online and do a compare against default the results will show the differences between default and the offline drive not the online one. Simply upload the parameters first before doing the compare.
• Option module parameters appearing red: When you open a project created in a V1.x of Unidrive M Connect you may see option module parameter values appearing in red. This was due to a bug in older versions of Connect (which has since been fixed). To resolve this upload the values from the drive or default the option modules parameters (by going to the option module dashboard and selecting 'Default Parameters').
• Error '0x80072ee7 - Unspecified error' during installation may happen if .Net Framework 4.0 is not installed and the installer cannot find it to install, or cannot connect to the internet to download it.