Base3 Firmware Update

What gets updated? #

From time-to-time, Lionel will release firmware updates for the Base3. The Base3 has been designed in a way to allow you to update over Wi-Fi without having to use a memory module like the Base2 required or without having to send the Base3 to Lionel Service. Updating over Wi-Fi is called Over-the-Air updating, or OTA.

There are three separate processors or radios that you will be able to update:

1. Base3 Firmware. This is the heart and mind of the Base3. The core operating code. This firmware will be updated for bug corrections and to implement new features.
2. Wi-Fi Radio: This connects the Base3 to a Wi-Fi equipped device such as a smartphone with the Cab3 APP or your PC using the B3SU. This will be the least-frequently updated item as updates would only be needed to maintain standard Wi-Fi protocols. This code comes directly from the Wi-Fi module manufacturer.
3. BLE Radio: This operates Bluetooth-equipped LionChief locomotives. This firmware may be updated for bug corrections and to implement new features.

The Base3 can be updated using the B3SU, which is covered on this page. It can also be updated using the Cab3 APP. For more info on that, click here.

Note: If you are updating the Base3 using the Cab3 APP, the APP will download the latest firmware versions. If using the B3SU, you can download the latest firmware to your PC from the links below.

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Update Message Board #

• Base3 Firmware 1.32
  by Dave Olson
  December 13, 2024

  Click the version link below to download the firmware to your PC.

  Release Version	12132024 Base3 Release 1.32
  Base3 Firmware Version	1.32

  Release Notes:

  • Add 4-digit command redundancy to improve operational reliability
  • Change 2-digit and 4-digit updates to “broadcast echo” so multiple Cab3’s get updated
  • Improve local queue buffer sizes for better command throughput to track signal
  • Add LED activity for Serial Port on TMCC LED
  • Add additional Debugging handles for development use

• Base3 Firmware 1.28
  by Dave Olson
  November 7, 2024

  Click the version link below to download the firmware to your PC.

  Release Version	11072024 Base3 Release 1.28
  Base3 Firmware Version	1.28

  Release Notes:

  • Bluetooth sub-system
    • When monitoring “SET” command, do not clear B3 database entry if no BLE loco paired on this address
    • Convert Legacy “SET” command to TMCC1 SET command so decoder will process all pairing requests
  • RF sub-system
    • When monitoring “SET” command, do not clear B3 database entry if no RF loco paired on this address
    • Convert Legacy “SET” command to TMCC1 SET command so decoder will process all pairing requests
  • Modify PDI port controls
    • Create API command processing and logic to reallocate PDI port board ID assignment ranges and enables
    • Major changes to restructure the port allocation relative to PING/board IDs
    • skip sending echoes between PDI ports keeping traffic lower in the PDI port processing
    • skip sending internal PDI command requests out over the PDI ports
    • Blink PDI power LED if the port does not have board ID allocation for modules connected
  • Fix record locking on 4-Digit info requests
    • Fix ID2/ID4 lookup sequencers to reset state machine if a record is locked, otherwise subsequent lookups may fail
  • Fix potential for buffer overflow; fix missing fields
    • when reading module data length, limit size of data transfer to buffer size
    • initialize the PMID and BTMAC fields properly on restore from module
  • Skip Serial EnQueue when queue is disable
    • to improve system throughput, do not add processing for queues that are not active, stopping queue overflows
• Base3 Firmware 1.26
  by Dave Olson
  August 26, 2024

  Click the version link below to download the firmware to your PC.

  Release Version	08262024 Base3 Release 1.26
  Base3 Firmware Version	1.26

  Release Notes:

  • Correct spelling error in BLE internal database
  • Fixed direction toggle speed reset in BLE loco
  • Allow BLE config updates needed for B3SU
  • Allow RF config updates needed for B3SU
  • Fix BCM to support base record writes needed for B3SU
  • Add BTMAC address to ID2 database and ID4 database records for ESB protocol
  • Change ID4 database management to use BTMAC to prevent duplicate entries
  • Add additional decodes to echo over Wi-Fi to sync Cab2 and Cab3
  • Correct sensor track update from clearing speed graph on user recording
  • Add ESB readback for Road/Num/TSDB on ID2 “SET” to update Cabs
  • Fix throttle updates on Cab2 that tended to cause speed graph to hop around

  Additional notes:

  • Base3 Version 1.26 is REQUIRED for using the Base3 System Utility (B3SU)
  • No changes to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth firmware. Below versions are still current.

• Base3 Initial Code Release
  by Dave Olson
  January 2, 2024

  Click the individual version links below to download the firmware to your PC.

  Release Version	01022024 Base3 Initial Release
  Base3 Firmware Version	1.22
  Wi-Fi Firmware Version	39.00.008
  Bluetooth Firmware Version	2.0.4

  Release notes: This is the initial release of all Base3 firmware. Future updates will include notes regarding bug fixes and newly implemented features. Check back periodically for updates.

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Using B3SU to Update #

Follow these instructions to update the firmware in your Base3. Pay close attention as each section is for a specific processor or radio.

Base3 Firmware #

1. Download the latest firmware to your PC from the link(s) above. While you can update to any version of the firmware that has been released, it is highly recommended to use the latest. Make sure you remember the file location where you downloaded the firmware to.
2. With the Base3’s power off, slide its NETWORK/ACCESS POINT switch to ACCESS POINT. Firmware updates cannot be done over a network.
3. While holding down the bootloader button on the front of the Base3 (a gear symbol), power on the Base3. The LIONEL lights at the ends of the Base3 will slowly flash on and off to indicate that the Base3 is ready for updating.
   
4. Connect your PC’s Wi-Fi to the Base3’s ACCESS POINT.
5. Open the B3SU. If it does not automatically connect, click “Configure” and enter the Base3’s default IP address, which is 192.168.111.1 and then click “OK”.
6. Firmware is read and updated on the Base3 Settings tab, which is the default tab when you open the B3SU. On the right at the top under “Base3 Firmware Upgrade”, the current firmware revision that is in the Base3 is shown. If it shows a number less than what’s available to download from above, then it’s time to update. If it is the same as what’s above, then you do not need to update at this time.
   
7. Click on “Browse…” and navigate to the new firmware file. Click on it and then click “Open”.
8. Click on “Update” and wait while the firmware is updated. You can monitor the update via the progress bar at the bottom right of the B3SU. Do not power off the Base3 or close the B3SU during the update. When the update is complete, the Base3 will automatically restart.
9. Reconnect your PC to the Base3 and open the B3SU. The new firmware version will be displayed.

Wi-Fi Firmware #

1. Coming soon.

Bluetooth Firmware #

1. Download the latest firmware to your PC from the link(s) above. While you can update to any version of the firmware that has been released, it is highly recommended to use the latest. Make sure you remember the file location where you downloaded the firmware to.
2. With the Base3’s power off, slide its NETWORK/ACCESS POINT switch to ACCESS POINT. Firmware updates cannot be done over a network.
3. Power on the Base3.
4. Connect your PC’s Wi-Fi to the Base3’s ACCESS POINT.
5. Open the B3SU. If it does not automatically connect, click “Configure” and enter the Base3’s default IP address, which is 192.168.111.1 and then click “OK”.
6. Firmware is read and updated on the Base3 Settings tab, which is the default tab when you open the B3SU. On the right under “Base3 Bluetooth Firmware Upgrade”, the current firmware revision that is in the Base3 is shown. If it shows a number less than what’s available to download from above, then it’s time to update. If it is the same as what’s above, then you do not need to update at this time.
7. Click on “Browse…” and navigate to the new Bluetooth firmware file. Click on it and then click “Open”.
8. Click on “Update” and wait while the firmware is updated. You can monitor the update via the progress bar at the bottom right of the B3SU. Do not power off the Base3 or close the B3SU during the update.
9. After the update finishes, your Base3 is updated and ready to go. You can double check the new firmware version using the B3SU.