Omnia.9 version 3.20.20 Software Install and Release Notes

Updated by Mark Manolio

This software is currently not the latest version of Omnia.9 Software. For the latest software, version 3.30.79 please go to this page

Updating your Omnia.9 software is done using a USB flash drive or (preferably) the NfRemote software client. This procedure assumes you have already installed NFRemote and have access to your Omnia.9. Please refer to the Omnia.9 manual for instructions on how to set up NfRemote.

Scope

This software update applies to ALL variants of the Omnia.9 and is applicable to both original and updated hardware platforms (MKII). Note that some options (including support for Livewire or Kantar) are available only on the MKII platform. If you are interested in updating your Omnia.9 to the MKII platform please contact support or your dealer and ask about the Omnia.9 MKII Hardware Upgrade (PN# 2011-00197-000).

Backup your current settings

Before proceeding with any update we suggest making a backup of your current configuration. To do so use the NfRemote software.
  1. Select System.
  2. Then chose System Configuration.
  3. Chose Backup.
  4. Then choose Backup (Download) Configuration and save this file to a location on your computer.

IMPORTANT NOTES

PLEASE READ BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THIS UPDATE!

In some cases, a full power cycle may be required following software installation in order to re-establish remote access.  For this reason, It is recommended that you do NOT attempt this update remotely. Perform this update only while you are physically in front of the unit.
If you have not already updated to version 3.18.99 or 3.20.04 from an older version, please note that v3.18.99 contained a major re-write to the entire streaming section.  If you are updating from a version earlier than 3.18.99, old streaming settings are not cross compatible to the newer software so your streaming settings will not carry over into the new version. Before you proceed, be sure to write down or take screen shots of critical streaming settings such as server names, paths and IP addresses so you can re-configure your unit. If you are updating from 3.18.99 (or later) to this latest release, your streaming settings will not be an issue. 
The previous v3.20.04 release changed the licensing scheme for the built-in µMPX encoder. If you have µMPX activated in v3.18.99 or any prior beta versions, it will be de-activated after this update (reverting to demo mode) and require a new license key. Please contact Customer Support at +1 216 622-0047 or email us at support@TelosAlliance.com. Be ready to provide the unit’s serial number and MAC address as shown in the System / System Configuration / Upgrades screen and we will verify your license and issue a new one. 

Software Update Procedure

Please download version 3.20.20 from here and save this to a location on the computer you will use to perform the update.

The file must be used as downloaded. Do not use any software to unpack or unzip the file.

There are two ways to update the software in your unit. One is using the NfRemote software and the other is using a USB flash drive plugged into the front panel USB port.

During this update your Omnia.9 could be offline for quite some time. Be sure to have a backup processor ready or perform the update at a time when the station can be off air.

Updating by USB flash Drive

Copy the update file to the root of the USB flash drive. Make sure there are no other versions of update files present in the root directory.

  1. Plug the USB flash drive into the USB port on the back of your Omnia.9.
  2. Using the front panel:
    1. Navigate to the System menu.
    2. Then to System Configuration.
    3. Then to Software Update.
    4. Select "Update from USB".
  3. Follow the remaining instructions on the screen.

Using the NfRemote software

  1. Connect to your Omnia.9 with NfRemote (note the warning above about updating remotely).
  2. Select System.
  3. Choose System Configuration.
  4. Chose Software Update.
  5. Then click the "Upload Software" button. In the Window that appears, browse to and select the software update file you just downloaded. The file will be uploaded to the Omnia 9 and when complete, it will say "Upload Successful". Below that, it will say "3.20.20 updater ready".
  6. When ready, click the "Update Software to 3.20.20" button at the bottom of the screen. Confirm that you wish to proceed with the update by clicking "Yes" in the confirmation dialog box that appears:

The NfRemote connection will be lost at this point. Once the update is complete, the displayed version will reflect the new version number 3.20.20. You can double-check this in System / System Status / System Information.

Updating the FPGA Firmware

After the Omnia.9 reboots, it’s time to update the FPGA firmware.

  1. Navigate to System.
  2. System Configuration.
  3. Software Update.

If your unit is already running FPGA version 0x90000018 you may skip to step 6. If you are on 0x90000017 or earlier, proceed with the update.

If there is any chance of a power outage (due to unreliable local power), this is the time to connect your Omnia.9 to a UPS before continuing .  The FPGA update takes ten minutes, and MUST NOT BE INTERRUPTED! A power failure or reboot in the middle of an FPGA update is fatal and will require a trip to a Service Center to be repaired.
  1. After you have ensured that the unit will not suffer a power outage, click on “Update FPGA to 0x90000018.
  2. When the FPGA update is done, disconnect the power cables, wait 30 seconds and then reconnect them.
  3. Some units may need an Atmel update as well, depending on what software version is running. If the "Update Atmel to 1.5" button is enabled (not grayed out) then you will want to perform this update as well. This also requires a hard power cycle afterwards, separately from the FPGA update. It does not matter whether FPGA or Atmel is updated first.  Risks here are similar to the FPGA, so take great care your unit is not rebooted during this update. 
Hyper-threading is now recommended or required for certain configurations (2xHD and up) as of version 3.18.99.  To enable hyper-threading, connect a USB keyboard to the rear-panel USB port and press F2 after power-on to enter the BIOS setup. Set "Intel Hyper-threading Technology" to Enabled. Press F10 and Y to save settings.
CONGRATULATIONS! The update procedure is now completed. You may now return the Omnia.9 to normal service

Change log

Version 3.20.20 - August 2020
- Dual FM CPU performance improvedDual FM CPU performance improved
- GPO RDS TA option added
  • AES67 SDP a=ptime now correct also for 44100 Hz system sample rate
  • 19 KHz generator re-implemented
  • Watchdog rewritten. 1394 chip will now hard-reset if absent or unresponsive.
  • Hardware device presence now probed through HAL and logged.
  • Several specific error messages added to replace the generic "Engine Failure".
  • Mainboard Reset button added to System - System Config - Power.
  • Phase Rotation now works in HD / Streaming too
  • Engine failure reboot disabled
  • SNMP values added for MPX Power, MPX Power Limit, MPX Output Level
  • Backup now includes 10 log files per log type (was 5 previously)
  • ASIO log added
  • Monitor output follow bug fixed
  • Basic System Info now includes MPX/IP keys
Version 3.20.04 - October 28, 2019
  • Revised and improved clipper, with cleaner bass
  • Kantar version 8.0 integrated
  • Kantar Certification granted for this release (for EU countries using Kantar ratings system)
  • Kantar module now re-synchronizes its clock every 6 hours
  • µMPX Encoder license handling merged under MPX/IP licensing key in /System Config/Upgrades (see note above)
  • µMPX bit rate selection streamlined
  • µMPX version 3.0 integrated
  • Separate source selection per streaming encoder added, including FM Pre-Final and Program Input
  • Separate MPX1/2 Output Delay added
  • NTP now obeys user-configured server list after software restart
  • Primary Input silence alarm GPO option added
  • HE-AAC encoder bitstream format changed to ADTS_MP4
  • Mono sum input option added for HD/Stream. Hidden option, HTTP server access only.
  • Internal Player "Play From" switch added, determines whether to play from the last position or from the beginning of each file.
  • RDS library updated. Version number now displayed in user interface.
  • PS/RT timeout and default fields added
  • RDS encoder updated, AF list stability issue corrected (no longer repeats packets),
  • RDS decoder now also supports 44 kHz base sample rate
  • UECP feature set extended
  • RDS UECP TCP + Text support added
  • RDS AF list issue corrected (no longer sends invalid 0 code), RDS AF list now supports 25 frequencies.
  • RDX license key created to support extended RDS features
  • New Combo FM MPX test tone added. Combines quick sweep with 50 Hz square wave, for easy, at-a-glance transmitter calibration.
  • Combo Phase also added, inverts phase every second, to verify DAC, transmitter and modulation monitor LF performance.
  • L/R Output Delay now works
  • HTTP server status overview page added
  • Streaming encoder gain control added (to allow EBU R.128 compliance among other things)
  • Optional Aux 2 output added
  • HTTP remote update implemented
  • Many intermittent stability bugs fixed
  • Improved time zone handling - clock drift bugs fixed
  • Stream encoders are now 24-bit
  • HD cores no longer combined with streaming cores on MkI Dual FM units if streaming cores are disabled

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