Point Grey Research Knowledge Base

Article 379 - Updating USB 3.0 Firmware using USB 2.0 Cable or Port

Issue:
This article details the problems encountered when updating firmware for a USB 3.0 camera using a USB 2.0 cable or port and provides a workaround for the issue.

Solution:
USB 3.0 camera users may encounter errors when attempting to update their firmware under the following conditions:

  • Update using a USB 2.0 cable
  • Update using a USB 2.0 port
  • Update using firmware 1.15.3.0 and older with ASMedia card

Under one of these conditions, the camera is identified as a USB 2.0 camera in FlyCapture2 and UpdatorGUI3. A USB 3.0 camera that is identified as a  USB 2.0 device will NOT update properly. After the failed update the camera will no longer be recognized by FlyCapture2 or UpdatorGUI3 until power cycled.

NOTE: Putting a USB 3.0 hub between the camera and the ASMedia host controller will allow the camera to be recognized as a USB 3.0 device, and the firmware will update properly.

Users who encounter problems should verify their equipment to ensure they have:

  • A USB 3.0 cable
  • A USB 3.0 port

See Technical Application Note 2011005 for Recommended and unsupported USB 3.0 system components.

If users are still encountering errors, they should contact support.

This does not apply to USB 2.0 cameras.

 

Related Articles:
1.) Diagnosing USB 3.0 camera and bus errors
2.) My USB 3.0 camera does not achieve full frame rate
3.) Key differences between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 cameras
4.) USB 3.0 cameras on USB 2 bus do not support images >4 MB


Article ID:
379
Published:
1/23/2012 1:22:54 PM
Last Modified:
2/2/2012 9:54:32 AM
Keywords:
USB 3.0, USB3, USB 2.0, USB2, firmware, update, USB 3

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