1. Family Members
The Voyager Series of calculators were introduced by Hewlett-Packard in 1981. Each model provided different capabilities and was aimed at different user markets.
The SwissMicros' Series of the Voyager calculators come in two sizes. See the Illustrations section for a visual size comparison. The credit card sized models (e.g. DM15) and the original sized models (e.g. DM15L) contain the same electronics and use the same firmware.
In this document, all models are referenced without trailing L.
-
DM10 — basic scientific calculator
-
DM11 — mid-range scientific calculator
-
DM12 — business/financial calculator
-
DM15 — advanced scientific calculator
-
DM16 — computer programmer’s calculator
-
DM41 — a landscape orientated clone of the HP-41CX
2. SwissMicros improvements on the Voyager Series
-
They do not have all the bugs found in the HP-15C LE, see the bug list!
-
They run up to 30 times faster (at 48MHz) than the calculators introduced in the 80s.
-
The USB connection features a command line interface for saving and restoring complete calculator states.
-
Save, edit and restore complete calculator states with one of SwissMicros' online utility.
-
Firmware update via USB is possible using the SwissMicros Firmware Update Tool (on Windows) or standard
lpc21isputility on Linux and MacOS. -
The reset button is located on the back in the lower left-hand side closest to the corner.
-
They are still being produced
3. References and Resources
-
Encode and decode utility (html with jscript) for Save and Restore State function
-
Torsten Manz' excellent HP-15C Simulator supports data exchange with the DM15 under Windows, Linux and Mac OS X
4. Battery Replacement
|
SwissMicros Voyager calculators are powered by a standard (non-rechargeable) CR2032 battery. The battery should last many years with normal use. Powering via USB is not supported. |
-
Turn calculator off; calculator data is preserved for about 30 seconds without battery
-
Unscrew all four back screws
-
Remove calculator’s back
-
Replace the battery
-
Put it back together, don’t tighten the screws too much
5. Firmware Update
| It is not possible to break or brick the calculator with any update procedure. |
| All calculator data (i.e. programs, registers, etc.) will be lost. Make a backup if needed. |
5.1. Selecting Firmware
5.1.1. The Latest Firmware
The latest firmware versions are available at https://technical.swissmicros.com/voyager/firmware/.
Download files using the 'Target save as…' function.
5.1.2. Name Conventions
The basic firmware name consist of two parts
<model>_<version>.hex Example: DM12_V31.hex
where
- <model>
-
Calculator model. One of
DM10,DM11,D12,DM15,DM16,DM41 - <version>
-
Firmware version, e.g.
V31.
Extended firmware name adds name of the extension
<model>_<ext>_<version>.hex Example: DM15_M80_V31.hex
where <model> and <version> are the same as above and
- <ext>
-
Name of the extension e.g.
M80,M1B
5.1.3. Special DM15 Firmware Versions
There are two special firmware versions for the DM15, version M80 and version M1B.
Both contain the original ROM with modifications to support more memory.
According to the HP-15C Owner’s Handbook, Appendix C: Memory Allocation (pg. 214), the
total allocatable memory is 64 registers and initial Memory Status is 19-46 0-0.
The following table summarizes how this limit is modified in extended DM15 ROMs.
| ROM | Alocatable registers | RAM base addr. | Initial Memory Status |
|---|---|---|---|
DM15 (Original ROM) |
64 |
0xc0 |
|
DM15_M80 |
128 |
0x80 |
|
DM15_M1B |
229 |
0x1b |
|
The default distribution version on DM15 is DM15_M1B with 229 Registers to supply
users with as much memory as possible. Please, keep in mind the original calculator
ROM isn’t designed to handle so much memory and there are known at least two marginal
cases when the calculator can give confusing info or wrong result:
|
Known problems
|
To avoid potential problems, the firmware version DM15_M80 can be used,
where such effects should be less prominent, or even firmware version DM15 with the original ROM code.
5.2. Update on Windows
5.2.1. Required software
-
Download and unpack the SwissMicros Voyage Firmware Tool for updating the calculator.
5.2.2. Update
-
Connect the calculator with a miniUSB cable to the computer.
-
Start the Voyage Firmware Tool
-
Press "Open File …" and choose the firmware file
-
Choose "Serial Port", see find Serial Port Number
-
Press the "Program" button in the application.
-
Press the reset button with a paperclip to initiate the flash process.
If the calculator beeps and displays `SERIAL CONSOLE`, reset again until the flash process begins. -
The flash progress is displayed in the application and takes about 10-20 seconds depending on the firmware version.
-
After the flash procedure is done, press the reset button again and disconnect from the computer.
5.3. Update on MacOS
5.3.1. Required Software
-
Ensure the Serial Port driver is installed.
-
Download and install MacPort (www.macports.org)
-
Open the Terminal application (Applications→Utilities→Terminal) and run the following commands:
sudo port selfupdate sudo port upgrade outdated sudo port install lpc21isp
-
Close the Terminal application
5.3.2. Firmware Update
-
Open the Terminal application (Applications→Utilities→Terminal)
-
Connect the calculator with a miniUSB cable to the computer.
-
Run command:
sudo lpc21isp -control -controlinv -hex <firmware_file> <serial_port> 115200 12000
replace
<firmware_file>with the firmware file name
and<serial_port>with Serial Port Name found in previous stepExample:
sudo lpc21isp -control -controlinv -hex DM15_V31.hex /dev/tty.usbserial-0001 115200 12000
-
Press the reset button with a paperclip to initiate the flash process.
If the calculator beeps and displays `SERIAL CONSOLE`, reset again until the flash process begins. -
After the flash procedure is done, press the reset button again and disconnect from the computer.
-
Close the Terminal application
5.4. Update on Linux
5.4.1. Required Software
-
Install the
lpc21isptool for firmware update.On Debian based systems run
sudo apt-get install lpc21isp
or run package installer according to the Linux distribution.
5.4.2. Firmware Update
-
Start the flashing utility by
sudo lpc21isp <firmware_file> <serial_port> 115200 12000
replace
<firmware_file>with the appropriate firmware filename and<serial_port>with Serial Port Name found in the previous stepExample:
sudo lpc21isp DM15_V31.hex /dev/ttyUSB0 115200 12000
-
Wait for message "Synchronizing (ESC to abort)". Press the reset button with a paperclip to initiate the flash process.
If the calculator beeps and displays `SERIAL CONSOLE`, reset again until the flash process begins. -
After the flash procedure is done, press the reset button again and disconnect from the computer.
6. Serial Console
Useful links:
-
Encode and decode utility (html with jscript) for Save and Restore State function
-
A great HP-15C Simulator by Torsten Manz for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X supports data exchange with the DM15.
6.1. Connection to Serial Console
-
Prepare Serial Console program:
|
Remove the USB cable from the calculator if not needed.
Residual currents of the CP2102 chip can cause shortening of the battery life when left connected
for prolonged periods of time after the calculator is turned OFF. To be completely sure any residual charges are removed, turn the calculator ON/OFF after the USB cable is removed. |
6.2. Enable Serial Console Mode
Serial Console Mode is enabled by ON + C, see Special Key Combinations chapter for more details.
6.3. Serial Port Drivers
6.3.1. Windows
Download and install Silicon Labs CP2102 USB Driver from Silicon Labs drivers page/Downloads.
|
Windows users should NOT use the "Universal" Windows driver, use the older Windows drivers instead, the newer type has installation issues on Windows 10. |
6.3.2. MacOS
Driver is part of the system since "Big Sur".
For earlier systems download and install the CP2102 Mac OSX driver from Silicon Labs drivers page/Downloads.
6.3.3. Linux
No action needed.
The cp210x driver is part of the kernel build on all major Linux systems.
6.4. Finding Serial Port
6.4.1. Windows
-
Connect the calculator with a miniUSB cable to the computer.
-
Open Device Manager and find the
Silicon Labs CP210xline, -
Note the name given to the USB Serial Port (here :
COM3)
6.4.2. MacOS
-
Ensure the Serial Port driver is installed.
-
Connect the calculator with a miniUSB cable to the computer.
-
Find the name of the USB Serial Port
ls /dev/tty.usbserial*
or with Silicon Labs drivers
ls /dev/tty.SLAB*
The port is usually
/dev/tty.usbserial-0001or/dev/tty.SLAB_USBtoUART
If the port isn’t present, check the USB connection to calculator.
6.4.3. Linux
-
Connect the calculator with a miniUSB cable to the computer.
-
In the console run:
dmesg
There should be a message near the end like
cp210x converter now attached to ttyUSB0If so, the full path to the USB Serial Port is
/dev/ttyUSB0
6.5. Console on Windows
6.5.1. Required Software
Setting up a USB Serial Port connection in Windows
-
Download and install PuTTY (http://www.putty.org/)
6.5.2. Connection
-
Connect the calculator with a miniUSB cable to the computer.
-
Enable the Serial Console Mode on the calculator: ON + C see Special Key Combinations chapter for more details.
-
Start PuTTY, go to Session
[1]and select Serial in the panel on the right; go to Connection[2]→ Serial[3]and configure the serial line with the following values:-
Serial line to connect to : Serial Port Name found in previous step
-
Speed : 38400
-
Data bits : 8
-
Stop bits : 1
-
Parity : None
-
Flow control : XON/XOFF (or none)
-
-
Click "Open" to start monitoring Serial Data.
-
The Serial Connection is now established. The monitor window is blank when it starts. Press «?» for help.
-
Pressing any button on the calculator ends the Serial Console Mode.
6.6. Console on MacOS
6.6.1. Required Software
-
Ensure the serial driver is installed.
-
The
screenutility is preinstalled on MacOS system.
6.6.2. Connection
-
Connect the calculator with a miniUSB cable to the computer.
-
Enable the Serial Console Mode on the calculator: ON + C see Special Key Combinations chapter for more details.
-
Open the Terminal application (Applications→Utilities→Terminal)
-
Start a console session in terminal application:
screen <serial_port> 38400,8,n,1
replace
<serial_port>with serial port name found in previous stepExample:
screen /dev/tty.usbserial-0001 38400,8,n,1
-
The Serial Connection is now established. The monitor window is blank when it starts. Press «?» for help.
-
Pressing any button on the calculator ends the Serial Console Mode.
-
End the console session: press CONTROL + a then k then y
-
Disconnect the calculator
-
Close the Terminal application
6.7. Console on Linux
6.7.1. Required Software
-
Install the
putty.On Debian based systems run
sudo apt-get install putty
or run package installer according to the Linux distribution.
6.7.2. Connection
-
Connect the calculator with a miniUSB cable to the computer.
-
Start PuTTY
-
go to "Session" and select Serial in the panel on the right
-
go to Connection → Serial and configure the serial line using the following values. The rest should be left to default (check image below):
-
Serial line to connect to: use Serial Port Name found in the previous step
-
Speed : 38400
-
No flow control
-
-
Enable the Serial Console Mode on the calculator: ON + C see Special Key Combinations chapter for more details.
-
Click "Open" to start monitoring Serial Data.
-
The Serial Connection is now established. The monitor window is blank when it starts. Press «?» for help.
-
Pressing any button on the calculator ends the Serial Console Mode.
7. Commands in Serial Console
Once the serial connection to the calculator is established, calculator responds to switching to Serial Console Mode with text:
<model> ready
where <model> is calculator model, e.g. for DM15_M80 it writes to the serial console
DM15_M80 ready
This also indicates that the serial console is ready to accept commands.
As a response to ENTER in serial console window the calculator responds with
command prompt, which is
DM41>> - for DM41 model, or
VOYAGER >> - for other models
A command prompt is also displayed whenever the calculator finishes a command and is ready for the next one.
If an invalid command is entered or ? command is used, the calculator responds
with firmware version and list of available commands, e.g. for DM15_M80_V31:
VOYAGER >> ? Firmware DM15_M80_V32 ? Help p Key press s Dump memory l Load memory ct Console timeout bootloader Invoke Bootloader t Get time ts Set time td Update time kb Toggle keyboard output to console d Toggle display output to console b Read battery voltage Type '<command> ?' for params VOYAGER >>
Next chapters describe several important commands in more details.
7.1. Save and Restore State
Here state refers to the complete contents of the calculator, i.e. stack, registers, programs, etc.
Saving calculator memory
-
Establish a connection to the Serial Console
-
To dump contents of calculator memory, enter:
s -
The memory dump is displayed followed by command prompt
-
This dump can be copied, pasted and saved to a text file (including the short line at the top which describes the calculator model) to be later restored to the calculator
Restoring calculator memory
-
Establish a connection to the Serial Console
-
Engage calculator Restore Mode by entering:
l(lowercase «L») -
The command prompt changes to:
Waiting for data… -
Copy all characters from the memory dump, including the short line at the top which describes the calculator model
-
Paste it in the monitor window
-
Monitor window outputs:
Read OK
and the command prompt is displayed -
Calculator memory is now restored
7.2. Set time and date
Getting calculator internal date and time
-
Establish a connection to the Serial Console
-
In the serial monitor window, enter:
t -
The monitor window returns date, time and day of the week in format:
YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS DDD
Setting date and time
-
Establish a connection to the Serial Console
-
The command to set date and time is
ts <YYYYMMDD> <HHMMSS>for instance for September 22nd of 2016, 6:30 PM, enter the following command:
ts 20160922 183000 -
Now, date and time are set
8. Calculator configuration
Configuration parameters can be directly changed by using special key combinations. Because the different models of the Voyager Series have different button layouts and almost, but not quite, similar configuration possibilities, in this chapter keys are referenced by their row/column place, e.g. (2-3) means the key in row 2 and column 3.
See Special Key Combinations for more details of how to invoke this function on a particular calculator model.
8.1. CPU Speed
Invocation: ON + (1-9)
The calculator supports two CPU speeds:
-
Normal - CPU runs at 12MHz
-
Fast - CPU runs at 48MHz
This key combination cycles through them.
8.2. LCD Contrast Configuration
Invocation: ON + (1-6)
This key combination starts LCD contrast configuration.
LCD contrast configuration consists of two parameters:
-
param1: LCD brightness
-
param2: LCD voltage
The LCD configuration:
-
is automatically left without any change after 10 seconds of inactivity.
-
can be left without configuration change at any time by ON key
-
current configuration can be confirmed and saved by ENTER key
8.3. LCD Contrast Reset
Invocation: ON + (2-6)
This key combination resets the LCD contrast configuration to the default values.
8.4. Fonts
Invocation: ON + (1-7)
The models DM10, DM11, DM12, DM15 and DM16 include several font types.
This key combination cycles through them.
8.5. Annunciator Location
Invocation: ON + (2-2)
This key combination toggles between location for the annunciators of the Voyager Series*, displayed either below the digits (default) or above the digits.
*except DM41
9. Special Key Combinations
The SwissMicros Voyager calculators have some special key combinations, some are the same as on the HP calculators, some are unique to SwissMicros calculators.
Usage:
-
Turn off calculator
-
Press and hold one of the buttons listed below
-
Press and release ON button
-
Release first button pressed
9.1. DM10
| Key | Function description |
|---|---|
√x |
Display time/date for 5 minutes |
ex |
Benchmark. Evaluate speed compared to original calculator |
% |
Time/date adjustment. |
10x |
Switch to serial console (see Serial Console for details) |
1/x |
System info. Firmware version, battery voltage, current frequency, etc. |
CHS |
Change LCD contrast. Param1: up +, down −, Param2: up Σ+, down 3 |
EEX |
Reset LCD contrast to default values. |
STO |
Adjust RTC decrement -1h |
RCL |
Adjust RTC increment +1h |
7 |
|
9 |
Configure CPU speed. Toggle between 12MHz and 48MHz |
÷ |
Keyboard self test |
⨯ |
Self test |
− |
Power reset |
+ |
Endless test |
. |
Toggle decimal delimiter |
GTO |
9.2. DM11
| Key | Function description |
|---|---|
A |
Display time/date for 5 minutes |
B |
Benchmark. Evaluate speed compared to original calculator |
C |
Switch to serial console (see Serial Console for details) |
E |
System info. Firmware version, battery voltage, current frequency, etc. |
CHS |
Change LCD contrast. Param1: up +, down −, Param2: up Σ+, down 3 |
EEX |
Reset LCD contrast to default values. |
STO |
Adjust RTC decrement -1h |
RCL |
Adjust RTC increment +1h |
7 |
|
9 |
Configure CPU speed. Toggle between 12MHz and 48MHz |
÷ |
Keyboard self test |
⨯ |
Self test |
− |
Power reset |
+ |
Endless test |
. |
Toggle decimal delimiter |
SST |
Time/date adjustment. |
GTO |
9.3. DM12
| Key | Function description |
|---|---|
n |
Display time/date for 5 minutes |
i |
Benchmark. Evaluate speed compared to original calculator |
PV |
Switch to serial console (see Serial Console for details) |
FV |
System info. Firmware version, battery voltage, current frequency, etc. |
CHS |
Change LCD contrast. Param1: up +, down −, Param2: up CHS, down 3 |
EEX |
Reset LCD contrast to default values. |
STO |
Adjust RTC decrement -1h |
RCL |
Adjust RTC increment +1h |
7 |
|
9 |
Configure CPU speed. Toggle between 12MHz and 48MHz |
÷ |
Keyboard self test |
⨯ |
Self test |
− |
Power reset |
+ |
Endless test |
. |
Toggle decimal delimiter |
yx |
Time/date adjustment. |
1/x |
9.4. DM15
| Key | Function description |
|---|---|
A |
Display time/date for 5 minutes |
B |
Benchmark. Evaluate speed compared to original calculator |
C |
Switch to serial console (see Serial Console for details) |
E |
System info. Firmware version, battery voltage, current frequency, etc. |
CHS |
Change LCD contrast. Param1: up +, down −, Param2: up Σ+, down 3 |
EEX |
Reset LCD contrast to default values. |
STO |
Adjust RTC: decrement -1h |
RCL |
Adjust RTC: increment +1h |
7 |
|
9 |
Configure CPU speed. Toggle between 12MHz and 48MHz |
÷ |
Keyboard self test |
⨯ |
Self test |
− |
Power reset |
+ |
Endless test |
. |
Toggle decimal delimiter |
SST |
Time/date adjustment. |
GTO |
9.5. DM16
| Key | Function description |
|---|---|
A |
Display time/date for 5 minutes |
C |
Switch to serial console (see Serial Console for details) |
E |
System info. Firmware version, battery voltage, current frequency, etc. |
F |
Change LCD contrast. Param1: up +, down −, Param2: up CHS, down 3 |
BIN |
Reset LCD contrast to default values. |
STO |
Adjust RTC decrement -1h |
RCL |
Adjust RTC increment +1h |
7 |
|
9 |
Configure CPU speed. Toggle between 12MHz and 48MHz |
÷ |
Keyboard self test |
⨯ |
Self test |
− |
Power reset |
+ |
Endless test |
. |
Toggle decimal delimiter |
GSB |
Time/date adjustment. |
GTO |
9.6. DM41
| Key | Function description |
|---|---|
A |
Display time/date for 5 minutes |
C |
Switch to serial console (see Serial Console for details) |
E |
System info. Firmware version, battery voltage, current frequency, etc. |
CHS |
Change LCD contrast. Param1: up R/S, down 3, Param2: up ., down 2 |
EEX |
Reset LCD contrast to default values. |
STO |
Adjust RTC decrement -1h |
RCL |
Adjust RTC increment +1h |
8 |
Configure CPU speed. Toggle between 12MHz and 48MHz |
9 |
Keyboard self test |
x≶y |
Time/date adjustment. |
10. Illustrations
10.1. Horizontal unit size comparison
10.2. DM15
10.3. DM16
10.4. DM12
10.5. DM11
10.6. DM41
Appendix A: SDK
SwissMicros believes that the user should have full control over the hardware. SwissMicros provides an SDK to get developers started.
The Voyager Series SDK can be downloaded from: dm_lpc111x_sdk.tar.gz.
Appendix B: Matrices in Extended DM15
The hp15c was a highlight of its time. It is noteworthy that the original nut code of hp15c is apparently fit for an extension of its RAM. As far as I can say, it work best for all but the inverse of a matrix larger than 8x8. The largest matrix the original hp15c could store was 8x8 - so the algorithm was optimized for that maximum in size.
The reason why the original algorithm fail for larger matrices is that it has to reorder the rows of the matrix under certain circumstances. How the rows are reordered is stored in the signs of the diagonal elements of the matrix. In a register (7 bytes - 14 nibbles) the sign is stored in a nibble as 0 for + or 9 for -. A nibble hold 4 bits - so in the sign is place for additional 3 bits. These remaining 3 bits are used to store the original row offset. This only work up to 8 rows. If a matrix has more than 8 rows, this will not work anymore. :-(
The intermediate step used for matrix division, matrix inverse and determinant of a matrix is called LU decomposition. It is described in the "HP15C advanced functions handbook" - Section 4 - "Using Matrix Operations" - "Understanding the LU Decomposition" on page 96/97 of the original manual from 1982 or on page 82/83 of the reproduction from 2012.
Do not trust the results of matrix division, matrix inverse or determinant of a matrice larger than 8x8.
An easy counter-example:
A(i,j) = 0 if j < (n - i + 1); Otherwise A(i,j) = 1 b(i) = i 1 <= i,j <= n A*x = b => x(i) == 1 for all 1 <= i <= n ---- A * x = b 0 0 0 0 ... 0 1 x(1) = 1 0 0 0 0 ... 1 1 x(2) = 2 ... 0 1 1 1 ... 1 1 x(n-1) = n-1 1 1 1 1 ... 1 1 x(n) = n
The following program, also available as a dump, will fill pre-dimensioned matrix A, set size of b, fill b and set result matrix to C.
* f LBL D 001-42,21,14 RCL DIM A 002-45,23,11 STO 2 003- 44 2 g TEST 6 x≠y? 004-43,30, 6 g RTN 005- 43 32 f MATRIX 1 R0,R1 := 0 006-42,16, 1 * f LBL 0 007-42,21, 0 RCL 2 008- 45 2 RCL 0 009- 45 0 - 010- 30 1 011- 1 + 012- 40 RCL 1 013- 45 1 g TEST 8 x<y? 014-43,30, 8 g CLx 015- 43 45 g TEST 1 x>0? 016-43,30, 1 1 017- 1 USER STO A / USER 018u 44 11 GTO 0 019- 22 0 RCL 2 020- 45 2 1 021- 1 f DIM B 022-42,23,12 f MATRIX 1 R0,R1 := 0 023-42,16, 1 * f LBL 1 024-42,21, 1 RCL 0 025- 45 0 USER STO B / USER 026u 44 12 GTO 1 027- 22 1 f RESULT C 028-42,26,13 g RTN 029- 43 32
DM15_M1B 00 00000000000000 00000000000000 00000000000000 00b10000000000 04 000000fffff000 0000000000000c 00000000000008 c0b9ab9a000eae 08 00000000000000 2fafcbefbe2280 00000000000040 00000000000000 10 00000000000000 00000000000000 00000000000000 1a000000000000 14 01017980433000 1b2d2d2d2d2d2d 000000000005fb 00000000000000 18 00000000000000 0000000000007f 00000000c00000 00000000000000 bc 00000000000000 01000000000001 00000000000000 00000000000000 f8 00000000000000 00000000000000 00000000000000 0000b28c114bbf fc 300191ff9bf132 104abff171a278 31faf1fb303200 91ffb27642aa0d A: 000000fffff000 B: 000000fffffeae C: c0b9ab9a000eae M: f000bffffff7fb N: 00000000000000 G: 04
Then use it like this:
<n> ENTER f DIM A f D RCL MATRIX b RCL MATRIX A / f USER f MATRIX 1 RCL C RCL C ... f USER
To do the test:
-
Dimension A
-
Call D
-
Key in the calculation
-
Divide b by A
-
Check if all elements of C are equal to 1
If 0<n<9 all elements of C will be equal to 1, but if n>8 the algorithm will fail and C will hold totally wrong values. Due to an overflow, the display will blink.
Further investigations lead to the following results:
-
Mx 1x1 .. 8x8 give correct results.
-
Mx 9x9 .. 11x11 give wrong results.
-
Mx 12x12 .. 14x14 never end ⇒ endless loop