LXNAV FlarmView2 User Manual

FlarmView

2

Version 2.60

LXNAV d.o.o. • Kidričeva 24, 3000 Celje, Slovenia • tel [phone] fax [phone]

[e-mail]

• www.lxnav.com

FlarmView² Version 2.60 April 2018

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1 Important Notices 4

1.1 Limited Warranty 4

Packing Lists 5
2 Basics 6

2.1 LXNAV FlarmView

2

at a Glance 6

2.2 Technical data 7

2.3 Rocker button 7

2.4 Four push buttons 8

3 Operation 9

3.1 User Input 9

3.1.1 Buttons on FlarmView2 9

3.1.2 Text Edit Control 10

3.1.3 Selection Control 10

3.1.4 Line width selection 11

3.1.5 Colour selection 11

3.1.6 Checkbox and Checkbox List 11

3.1.7 Slider selector 11

3.2 Normal operation 12

4 Working with the FlarmView2 13

4.1 Tree structure 13

4.2 Main screen description 13

4.2.1 Flarm symbols 14

4.3 Info screen 14

4.4 Flarm screen 15

4.5 Waypoint screen 15

4.6 Task screen 15

4.7 Setup Menu 16

4.7.1 Display 16

4.7.2 Graphics 16

4.7.2.1 Map orientation 16

4.7.2.2 Airspace 16

4.7.2.3 Waypoints 16

4.7.2.4 Glider and Track 17

4.7.2.5 Task 17

4.7.2.6 Flarm 17

4.7.2.7 Theme Setup 17

4.7.3 Warnings 17

4.7.4 Observation Zones 18

4.7.5 Hardware 19

4.7.5.1 Communication 20

4.7.5.2 Sounds 20

4.7.5.3 NMEA test 20

4.7.6 Flarm 20

4.7.7 Files 21

4.7.7.1 Download flight data 21

4.7.7.2 IGC to KML 21

4.7.7.3 Waypoints 22

4.7.7.4 Airspaces 22

4.7.7.5 FlarmNet 22

4.7.8 Units 22

4.7.9 Password 23

4.7.10 About 23

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5 Using FlarmView2 24

5.1.1 Selecting and switching between targets 24

5.2 Flarm Warning 24

6 Editing of a task 26
7 Installation 27

7.1 Installing the LXNAV FlarmView

2

27

7.2 Connecting LXNAV FlarmView

2

27

7.2.1 Ports and Wiring 27

7.2.1.1 LXNAV FlarmView

2

port (RJ11) 27

7.2.1.2 LXNAV FlarmView

2

wiring 28

8 Flarmnet Update 29
9 Firmware Update 30

9.1 Updating LXNAV FlarmView²Flash integrity failed” 30

10 Revision History 31

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1 Important Noti ces

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. LXNAV reserves the right
to change or improve their products and to make changes in the content of this material
without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or improvements.

A Yellow triangle is shown for parts of the manual which should be read very
carefully and are important for operating the FlarmView

2

.

Notes with a red triangle describe procedures which are critical and may result in
loss of data or any other critical situation.

A bulb icon is shown when a useful hint is provided to the reader.

1.1 Limited Warranty

This FlarmView2 product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship
for two years from the date of purchase. Within this period, LXNAV will, at its sole option,
repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will
be made at no charge to the customer for parts and labour, provided that the customer pays
for shipping costs. This warranty does not cover failures due to abuse, misuse, accident, or
unauthorized alterations or repairs.

THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY
LIABILITY ARISING UNDER ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU
SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL LXNAV BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE, OR
INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT.
Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so t he above
limitations may not apply to you. LXNAV retains the exclusive right to repair or replace the
unit or software, or to offer a full refund of the purchase price, at its sole discretion. SUCH
REMEDY SHALL BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY.

To obtain warranty service, contacts y our local LXNAV dealer or contact LXNAV di r ectly.

April 2018 © 2018 LXNAV. All rights reserved.

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Packing Lists

• LXNAV FlarmView2

• FlarmView

2

cable

• SD card

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2 Basics

2.1 LXNAV FlarmView2 at a Glance

LXNAV FlarmView2 is a Flarm and ADS-B traffic and collision warning display with preloaded
FlarmNet database. The 2’’ QVGA sunlig ht readable display has a resolution of 320*240 RGB
pixels. For simple and quick manipulation, four push buttons on the FlarmView

2

. FlarmView

2

monitors the vertical speed and altitude of each object on the screen.

The housing is made of robust ABS plastic. On the left side of the unit there is a rocker
button, on the right side there are 4 rubber push buttons.
A 4 GB solid state disk is used for data storage.

Data downloadable through a USB connection which is compatible with all operating systems
(MS Win, Linux and Mac OS).

At the left side of the unit there is a mini USB connector, this is used for charging and data
transfer.

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2.2 Technical data

Hardware

• ARM M4 core processor

• 4GBytes memory solid state disc

• QVGA 320*240 colour pixel TFT sunlight readable trans reflective LCD

• Three direction rocker button and four push buttons

Input and output

• USB interface (mass storage device)

• SD card for data exchange

• Serial RS232 interface for PDA connection

Size and weight

• Outline dimension: 65 x 42 x 18 mm

• Weight: ~36g

Power

• Power input 9V-16V DC input.

• Consumption (0.84W) ~70mA@12V

2.3 Rocker button

The rocker button has several actions; you can press it or move it left or right.

Moving the r ocker button wil l increase or d ecrease t he sound volume when on an info page.
On pages with the map, the rocker button has a zoom function.
In the setup page, you can move through each menu and make changes.

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2.4 Four push buttons

FlarmView2 has four push buttons, which have a dynamic function.

The function of each push button is described on the blue label adjacent to the button. A
label can have two options with the second option coloured red on the label. This indicates
that the button has two functions. The blue opt i on is op erated with a short press and the red
option with a long press. For labels with two options, the second option is typically the
opposite function of the first option. e.g. Next/Previous, Insert/Delete, Ok/Cancel,
forward/backward.

The functions of buttons are mostly related to the current page (waypoint, task, flarm, info
and setup). If there is no label next to the button, this button has no function.

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3 Operation

There are two modes of operation: Data transfer mode and Normal operation mode.
When in the data transfer (USB mode) mode, data can be exchanged. Normal operation
mode is when FlarmView

2

is not in USB mode.
In da ta transfer mode, the la st two or three green LEDs will be permanently lit, o n the
screen, there will be a message “USB conn ected”, whereas in the normal operation mode,
up to four LEDs will be blinking, or the screen will display data only.

3.1 User Input

The FlarmView2 user interface consists of many dialogues, which have different input
controls. They are designed to make input of names, parameters, etc., as easy as possible.
Input controls can be summarised as:

• Text editor

• Spin controls (Selection control)

• Checkboxes

• Slider control

• Line width control

• Colour selection

To move the function from one control to another, use up or down buttons. By pressing the
EDIT button access to the control that is d i splayed is possible.

3.1.1 Buttons on FlarmView2

Each of the four buttons have dynamically set functions. When you press a button, beside
the button will appear a blue label with the action assigned to that button in that context.

On the main screen, the top button always performs the function of switching between
pages. Short press will cycle in one direction betw een pages, a long press will cycle in the
opposite direction between pages. A number of the pages look similar initially as the cycling
between them simply change’s the zoom level. The screen will momentarily be updated to
reflect the new zoom level. The number in a zoom level icon shows us the outer circle
radius (2km – depends on distance units setting etc.). The inner circle is half of that
distance.

The Middle buttons help with target selection by cycling through available targets. The
lower button has an EDIT function, where we can edit/view the currently selected target.

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3.1.2 Text Edit Control

The Text Editor is used to input an alphanumeric string; the picture below shows typical
options when editing text. Use the up/down button’s to change the value at the current
cursor position.

Push button next = “>>B” will move cursor right. A long press on the NEXT button, will
move the cursor left. At the last character position, a push of the button will confirm the
edited value, long press Ok C) will cancel editing and exit that control . If a Long press is
available, part of the button label will be a Gray colour. For the example above, a long press
of the top button “>> B” has a “back” function. A long press of the bottom button has a
“Cancel” function. The Flarm ID field is not editable; this is because the flarm identification
number is unique.

3.1.3 Selection Control

Selection boxes, also known as combo boxes, are used to select a value from a list of
predefined values. Use the up/down buttons to select the appropriate value.

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3.1.4 Line width selection

Line width boxes, are used to select a line width from a list of predefined widths. U se the
up/down buttons to select the appropriate width.

3.1.5 Colour selection

Colour selection boxes , are used to select a colour fro m a list of p redefined col ours. Use th e
up/down buttons to select the ap propriate colour.

3.1.6 Checkbox and Checkbox List

A checkbox enables or disables a parti cular parameter. Press the EDIT button to toggle the
value. If an option is enabled a check mark will be shown, otherwise an empty rectangle will
be displayed.

3.1.7 Slider selector

Some values like volume and brightness are displayed as a slider

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With EDIT you can activate the slider cont rol and then with the up/down buttons you can
select the preferred value and confirm it with the OK push button.

3.2 Normal operation

During normal operation mode, the user can use the FlarmView2 as simple navigation,
airspace indicator and Flarm radar display. There are five pages (information page, Flarm
radar, waypoint page, task page and setup page).

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4 Working with the FlarmView2

4.1 Tree structure

The FlarmView2 has four modes, info, Waypoint, Task and Setup mode.

Info

Flarm

Waypoint

Task

Setup

4.2 Main screen description

The main navigation screen consists of a map with coloured airspace, waypoints with names
or task (depends on which page you are looking at). T he status line indicates the status of
the GPS, indicates the chosen waypoint that you are navigating to. Menu buttons appears,
when you press any one of the buttons. Each button has its own function which is described
on the button label. The functions of buttons are mostly related to the page where you are
(waypoint, task, flarm, info, setup). If there is no label on the button, this button has no
function.
In the centre top of the map is the “off course” indicator, which helps t he pilot fly in the right
direction. At the bottom of the map screen there are three navboxes, showing bearing,
distance to the target and the pressure altit ude.

Status of Flarm
TX/3, (TX) means, that flarm device transmits data, (3) means, that Flarm receives data

from three Flarm devices.

Flarm identi fication is a 6 digit hexadecimal number, which can be used to identify each
target.

Flarm Targets

GPS status

Flarm status

Flarm ID

Navboxes

Zoom level

East side

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GPS status indicat es the status of the Flarm's GPS receiver, the number of painted bars
counts the number of satellites that Flarm gps receiver receives.

• green bars indicate the GPS 3D status

• yellow means GPS 2D

• red GPS BAD

• N.C. means that FlarmView

2

is not receive data from Flarm.

Zoom level tells us what the current zoom setting on the radar is
In the case of an undirected warning (such as a PCAS warning) being so close that we can’t

display as described above, a warning looks like the following picture:

All targets are displayed as a glider symbols. It's also possible to change the object’s colour,
depending on the relative altitude to our pos ition. All received targets (Flarm or PCAS) are
marked with the same type of symbol except undirected targets, for which we don't know
from which direction they are coming from. Flarm targets can be separated only by their ID.

4.2.1 Flarm symbols

4.3 Info screen

On the info screen, data about GPS and Flarm status are available.

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4.4 Flarm screen

Selection of flarm targets and zoom in/out is available. If the FlarmView2 is connected to a
PowerFlarm, it is also possible to show PCAS traffic.

4.5 Waypoint screen

In this screen, the pilot can navigate to a selected wayp oint, Select waypoint from opened
CUP file, or select landable waypoint from near list - Near button

4.6 Task screen

In this screen user can navigate to waypoints from a task, switching between them, edit task
points and their zones. Read more in chapter 6.

CTR airspace

APT asphalt RWY

APT grass RWY

WPT symbol

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4.7 Setup Menu

4.7.1 Display

Under this menu the Brightness of display can be set after press on the EDIT button.

4.7.2 Graphics

Graphics has many sub items which are related to Map, Airspace, Waypoints, Glider and
Track, Task, Flarm and Theme Setup settings.

4.7.2.1 Map orientation

Map orientation can be set to:

• track up

• north up

4.7.2.2 Airspace

User can define indication, level of indication and colour of airspaces.

4.7.2.3 Waypoints

User can define the following settings:

• Enable waypoints indication

• Label length (from none to all characters)

• Label font size (16px, 18px and 24px)

• Label font colour

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4.7.2.4 Glider and Track

Here it is possible to modify track and target settings (line to target, track line...)

4.7.2.5 Task

Graphics of task/zone settings (colour, width, transparency) can be adjusted under this
menu.

4.7.2.6 Flarm

Flarm objects (traffic) indicatio n can be ad j usted by:

• Target above colour (default is blue)

• Target below colour (green)

• Target near colour (red)

• Selected target colour (pink)

• Label text

• Active timeout (15s) – adjusts, remaining time of glider on map after last seen

• Inactive timeout – adjusts remaining time of inactive gliders on the list. Inactive

gliders are those, where their signal was lost, after active timeout, they become
inactive and remains only on the list

• Draw line to target

• Draw history – tail behind the Flarm object

• Plane icon size

• Compass labels (in inner circle) – If enabled then “N”,”E”,”W”,”S” are in the inner

circle of Flarm radar screen

4.7.2.7 Theme Setup

User can change graphic settings on FlarmView

2

.

4.7.3 Warnings

Warnings can be enabled for three different levels (low, i mportant and urgent), separately
A/C (undirected warnings can be enabled), also a distance of A/C warning, where will be
displayed flarm watch. If Alert on A/C mode is disabled, A/C mode distance is not applicable.

Theme: white-black

Navbox colour: Red

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The warnings are classified into three levels (See Flarm manual for details on
www.flarm.com)

• First level (Low) approximately 18 seconds befo r e p redicted collision

• Second level (Important) approximately 13 secon ds before predicted collisio n

• Third level (Urgent) approximately 8 seconds befo r e predicted collision.

First 3 minutes there won’t be any warnings.

4.7.4 Observation Zones

This menu defines the default observation zone geometry. The following items can be
chosen: start zone, waypoint zone and finish zone.

Each type of observation zone is defined with two angles, two radius and mean bearing
(Angle12). These parameters enable the creation of any known zone geometry separately
for start, turn point and finish.

Using parameters in the zone dialogue it is possible to describe all types of observation
zones.
Angle12 defines the orientation of the observation zone.
Available values for Direction are:

• Symmetric: This is the most common selection for turn point.

• Fixed: This is mostly used for assigned areas.

• Next: will orient the observation zone in direction of the outgoing leg. This is usually

used for start.

• Previous: will orient the zone in directio n of the incoming leg and i s usually used for t he
finish.

• Start: orientates the sector always towards the start.

If the Line checkbox is checked the sector wi ll become a line t ype of observation zone. The
Radius 1 parameter describes half of width of line length. Use the UP/DOWN arrow buttons
to increase or decrease radius for step 0.1. Long press will i ncr e ase/decrease for 5.0.

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If Line is not checked the Angle1 parameter will define the basic shape of the observation
zone. A value of 180° means that the zone is a cylinder and 45° is the classical FAI sector.
Use Up/Down buttons to select right angle.
Angle2 and Radius2 are used for more complex observation zone setups.
When changing observation zone parameters the screen is automati cally updated to display
the new zone.

4.7.5 Hardware

In the Hardware menu there are three sub items:

• Communication

• Sounds

• NMEA test

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4.7.5.1 Communication

In the communicat ion menu, you can s et extern al port ba ud rate. Flarm devices t ypically run
at 19200 bps.

4.7.5.2 Sounds

In this menu various setting for sounds can be adjusted Volume, enabling of system
sounds and Flarm warnings.

4.7.5.3 NMEA test

In this menu user can see which data is coming from the Flarm. This page is very useful for
trouble shooting.

Explanation of Flarm sentences:

• GPGGA: Global Positioning System Fix Data

• GPRMC: Recommended minimum specific GPS/Transit data

• PFLAU: Operating status and priority intruder and obstacle data

• PFLAA: Data on other moving objects around (PCAS etc)

4.7.6 Flarm

If a Flarm is detected , the user can make some configuration setting changes on the Flarm
and get some Flarm status information.

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4.7.7 Files

Under this menu, user can download and upload files.

4.7.7.1 Download flight data

With FlarmView

2

a user can download flights from Flarm through FlarmView2 on to the SD

card in the FlarmView

2

4.7.7.2 IGC to KML

FlarmView

2

can convert the IGC file to a KML, which can be used for Google Earth software.

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4.7.7.3 Waypoints

The FlarmView

2

supports CUP file format for waypoints. There is no limitation in file size or

number of waypoints. However, the smaller the waypoi nt, the faster the FlarmView

2

display

will operate.

4.7.7.4 Airspaces

CUB file format for airspace is supported. There is no limitation in file size however, the

smaller the airspace file, the faster the FlarmView2 display will operate.

4.7.7.5 FlarmNet

FlarmNet data can be loaded also in this section.

4.7.8 Units

All units are user configurable.

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4.7.9 Password

There are several password s which run specific procedures as li s ted below:

• 00666 Resets all settings on FlarmView

2

to factory default

• 99999 Will erase all data on Flarm device

• 30000 Will delete Flarmnet user file on FlarmView

2

4.7.10 About

Under the about menu, a user can see the vers i o n and serial number o f the FlarmView

2

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5 Using FlarmView2

FlarmView2 is able to display Flarm and PCAS traffic on the map or on the radar screen. The
Radar screen is visible only when Flarm is detected by FlarmView

2

. In case of collision

warning, another screen will immediately appear with the direction of the threat.

PCAS alerts on the map are represented as a dotted circle with relative altitud e. The PCAS
warning is represented as lights on the clock as red or orange (PCAS target information has
only a range and no direction).

A warning can be dismissed with a short press of any button. Dismiss time can be configured
in setup.

5.1.1 Selecting and switching between targets

The target can be selected using Up/Down (middle two) butto ns. If the target disappears
when it is selected, the FlarmView

2

will still indicate information about the last selected
target. Information about distance, altitude and vario will disappear. If the target appears
back, the trace will continue.

5.2 Flarm Warning

Below are warnings which will appear for Flarm, PCAS and Obstacle warnings.

Flarm PCAS Obstacle

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The screen indicates the relative position of the threat. In the first image two gliders are
approaching from the left side at the same altitude and one from back right, the second
screen is an example of undirected warning (AC mode). Middle number shows horizontal
distance to the target. The last picture indicates an obstacle warning.

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6 Editing of a task

In the Task page, the user can enter or edit the task. Waypoints can be loaded into a task
from the active waypoint file.

In the task page you can press the edit button. Using the up or down button you can
highlight an existing waypoint or empty space and then set a new waypoint. By pressing the
Ins. (insert) button you can start browsing through all of the waypoints in the selected CUP
file.
Selecting from a list of waypoints is very intuitive. The FlarmView2 will only offer you a
choice of characters that are available from the list of waypoint names available. Using the
button “>>” you can move to the next character (right), the red part of the label B
indicates one space back or one character to the left using a longer press of the butto n. A
similar function for the “OK” button, where you can confirm a selected waypoint or with the

C, you can cancel the selection of a waypoint. The previous waypoint will then be selected.

When you are back in the Task menu, you can Insert or delete D the waypoint.

To

insert

a waypoint you make a quick press on the Ins. and to

delete

a

waypoint you press and hold down D for about (not more than) a second
Each waypoint can have a custom zone or area applied.
These areas can be modified by pressing to Zone button.

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7 Installation

7.1 Installing the LXNAV FlarmView2

The LXNAV FlarmView2 cut-out is very simple. A square hole with dimensions 14mm x
15mm, need to be cut.

Peel off protectio n film and s tick the FlarmView

2

to the instrument panel.

7.2 Connecting LXNAV FlarmView2

FlarmView2 can be connected to any Flarm or ADS-B device with the FlarmView2 cable.

7.2.1 Ports and Wiring

7.2.1.1 LXNAV FlarmView2 port (RJ11)

1 2 3 4 5
Pin numbers

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Pin number Description

1 (Power input) 12VDC (On version 2)

2 (Power input) 3.3VDC (On version 1)
3 GND

4 (input) Data in RS232 – receive line

5 (output) Data out RS232 – transmit line

6 Ground

7.2.1.2 LXNAV FlarmView

2

wiring

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8 Flarmnet Update

Flarm net database can be updated very easily.

• Please visit http://www.flarmnet.org

• Download file for LXNAV (LX8000, LX8080, LX9000) or click on following link:

http://www.flarmnet.org/files/lxfile.php

• FLN type file will be downloaded.

• Copy flarm.fln file to SD card of FlarmV i ew

2

.

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9 Firmware Update

Firmware updates of the LXNAV FlarmView2 can be easily carried out using the SD card.
Please visit our webpage www.lxnav.com

and check for the updates.

You can also subscribe to a newsletter to receive news about the LXNAV FlarmView
automatically.

9.1 Updating LXNAV FlarmView²Flash integrity failed”

• Download the latest firmware from our web site, section downloads/firmware
http://www.lxnav.com/download/firmware.html

.

• Copy fv2.fw file to FlarmView’s2 SD card.

• Turn on FlarmView².

• Firmware update will take a few seconds.

If the update procedure is i nterrupted, LXNAV FlarmView will not start. It will
cycle in bootloader application with red message “Flash integrity failed”.
Bootloader application is waiting to read the right firmware from SD card. After
successful firmware update LXNAV FlarmView will start again.

If FlarmView gives you message “Flash integrity failed”, this means that firmware
update was not successful and it will need to be repeated.

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10 Revision History

June 2015

Initial release version 1.02

August 2015

Chapter 5.7.5.3 – explanation of NMEA sentences

October 2015

Added more detailed descri ption s

Added chapters from 4.7.2.1-4.7.2.7
Added chapters 4.7.7.1-4.7.7.5

Added chapter 9 and 9.1

November 2016

Updated ch.4.7.3

July 2017

Added chapter 4.2.1

April 2018

Updated chapter 4.7.3