Online/Offline event for MT-702 panels
richardherman
not-so-junior member
I recently used a couple of MT-702 (G5) panels in projects. One thing I noticed is that when developing/testing/debugging, I often send an (graphics) update to the panel (and do nothing with the controller). For years I used a routine that's triggered from the ONLINE event for the panel to make sure that when it comes back online, it refreshes textboxes, goes to the right page etc. These new panels are much quicker and the OFFLINE/ONLINE event for the panel never seems to happen.
So after an update the panel is out of sync with the controller, not really sure how else to trigger this routine. The 'online tree' never changes, according to the system, the panel remains online.
At first I decided to ignore it, because during normal use it's not really an issue, but after doing touchpanel layout with a client yesterday, it quickly became really, really annoying.
So, anyone experienced this before? It looks to me that some firmware update is needed to resolve this, but maybe someone has another solution?
Comments
Have you tried the AWAKE data event handler or enabling the STARTUP string in the panel properties dialog?
No, didn't occur to me, until I read your post. The ONLINE event always worked fine, so no need to try anything else. Just did a very quick test on a G4 panel (MXT-700), don't have a G5 panel to test with. The AWAKE event handler doesn't fire when updating the panel (which seems logical; it wasn't in STANDBY before), but it does sent the 'Startup string', in this case about 1,5 seconds after the panel ran it's 'ONLINE' event handler. So, it looks like at that point it is ready to handle some commands.
Will have to test on a G5 panel when I get the opportunity, but looks promising. Thanks for the tip!
I've called AMX tech support about this problem as well, and they told me they are aware of the issue and working on a fix. The tech didn't mention anything about trying AWAKE or STARTUP to mimic the action of online events.
well, using the 'startup' string to work around the bug doesn't work on a MT-702 panel. The 'startup' string has exactly the same behaviour as the 'online/offline' event: they both work when powering up the panel but they fail both when doing a graphic update from TPDesign (rebooting the panel).
It does work on a MXT-1001 (G5) panel, but on that one the 'online/offline' event works fine also.
So, we will have to wait for a fix from AMX.
Bit of a cluge but curious if it works:
1. Create an empty page then set it as the Power Up page at the panel properties dialog.
2. At the new page Events Tab Show Page event:
In theory the Custom Event should be only seen when that otherwise hidden power up page is shown. Works as described on an MXT-701 - but then so does online and start up.
.
This seems to be specific to the MT series panels, I don't have any available. right now. To test he 'startup string' thingy, I used a panel that was already in use at a cliënt. They tend to get nervous about that...
so I'll have to see when I get the opportunity to test this.
Thanks for the suggestion, though.
PS: We can always hope that AMX fixes the problem soon, so no workaround is needed...
Having this issue still. Having to hard boot a MD-1002 every time I load the TP5 file. Any update on this?
So this does work on the new panels.
Always appreciate a trick that will work around a problem, and this IS a clever idea. But this will mean extra work applying it at the customers locations and reverting it back to normal operation (needed for support and having a 'standard' code base) once a real solution is available.
So while i DO appreciate trying to find a solution to a problem, it is still a 'cluge', so would also really like to know if there is an update or eta for a firmware fix?
Today I got a change to work on a new system that has a MT-702 panel. I tried the above 'trick' and like already confirmed by Ian, I can also confirm it works. Logically this only works when rebooting the PANEL, nothing happens if you reboot the controller, as it does with a working 'online' event for the panel. Of course, that can also be fixed quit easily, but it's getting a bit 'messy'.
So, like I already mentioned above, very much hoping for a timely fix from AMX.
NetLinx code looks something like this, there are a lot more "messy fixes" out there that still live out in the wild even after the underlying issue was fixed.
data_event[dvTP] { string: { // New G5 reboot after panel load work around stack_var iCmd[DUET_MAX_CMD_LEN], iHeader[DUET_MAX_HDR_LEN], iParam[DUET_MAX_PARAM_LEN]; iCmd = data.text; iHeader = DuetParseCmdHeader(iCmd); iParam = DuetParseCmdParam(iCmd); switch(iHeader) { case 'FILE_LOAD': { doPanelSetup(data.device); } } } online: { doPanelSetup(data.device); } }Hello, is there already a new firmware where this problem fixes?