Alien Annunciator Software and Firmware

The firmware is included with the Alien Annunciator Config Tool.  You must install the latest firmware after you update the config tool for the device to function properly. You can update the firmware by connecting your PC to your apron via USB, installing the software, and clicking the "Install/Update Apron Firmware" button.

August 10th, 2024

Alien Annunciator Config Tool v2.7.60

for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11

PortFinder Diagnostic Tool

for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11

Change Log for 2.7.60

- Weapon Ready state now detected.  Weapon Ready LEDs will no longer light when ball is waiting to be launched.

- If you desire the previous behavior, simply turn on the "Light Weapon Ready when Ball in Shooter Lane" option under the Behavior Settings tab in the Alien Annunciator Config Tool.

Change Log for 2.7.59

- Fixed another case where beacons, strobes, or fire mode could get stuck on when not supposed to be. 

Change Log for 2.7.58

- Fixed rare issue where beacons, strobes, and fire mode could get stuck on when not supposed to be. 

- Added delay after first bootloader version tried.  Without it, firmware update could lock up.

Change Log for 2.7.57.2

- Added ability to change or disable backbox pulsating mode.  (To disable, set backbox pulsating speed to 0.)

Change Log for 2.7.57.1

- Fix an issue with Backbox firmware update

Change Log for 2.7.57

- Additional "power-on" behavior fixes

Change Log for 2.7.54

- Firmware Update no longer requires that you select the correct Bootloader.   Bootloader will automatically be detected.

- Fixed some "power-on" behavior issues.   On power on, the fire effect could get stuck on and some other strange behavior.  Now the apron will go into attract mode when first powered on and stay in attract mode until a game is started. 

Change Log for 2.7.53

- Added ability to turn on/off MUTHUR and MultiBall Beacon effect - In our testing, we found that when using the external beacon trigger, it may be desirable for the user to disable the MUTHUR or MultiBall Beacon effects.   These options have been added.  We recommend leaving the MUTHUR effect on and turning the MultiBall Beacon effect off if the external beacon trigger cable is in place.  Instructions for building the External Beacon Trigger Cable are here:    External Beacon Trigger Cable Instructions

Change Log for 2.7.52

- Fix Sentry Gun Beacon Behavior when External Beacon Trigger activates at the same time as the Apron Trigger.  Beacon goes to rotate mode by the External Trigger for Sentry Gun mode and then beacons should shut off and not rotate throughout the rest of the mode. 

- Ability to integrate with Pinball Brothers Beacon Trigger - To do this, you will need to make a cable that connects from your machine's beacon port to AUX Board 10.  Instructions for doing this are available at this link:   External Beacon Trigger Cable Instructions

Change Log for 2.7.42

- Application has been upgraded for .NET 7:  .NET Core 3.1 has been discontinued by Microsoft, so an update was needed.   If you don't have it, the application will prompt you to install the .NET 7 runtime.

- Support for BRG LEDs:  Some LED's we purchased were a 3rd type (BRG), so we added support for those. 

- Test Mode Fixes:  In certain cases, when select Off for the Test Mode, the light show would not turn off.   This issue should be resolved now.

February 26th, 2023

Change Log for 2.7.40

- Serial Communications Reliability Fix:  In all previous releases, serial communications may have been unstable when the pinball machine was powered on.  We've even seen it cause the Alien Annunciator board to hang when USB was disconnected and reconnected again.  These issues should now be fixed.

- Support for additional Arduino Nano models:  Recently received Arduino Nano boards with a different signature would not connect.  This is resolved.

- New 'Xeno Strobe Only' Effect:  Adds new effect that causes the Ambush mode blade strobing to occur only while Xeno is operating.  This mode must be turned on in the Alien Annunciator Config Tool.  On the Behavior tab, you will find an option for Xeno Strobe Only.  Save Settings and see what you think. 

* Required AUX Board 10

- Xeno Flash now timed differently depending on 2-mode and 8-mode beacons for a better experience.

- When setting Strobe Speed to 0, the configured solid strobe color will now display instead of the strobing effect.  If the strobing is having a negative effect on your playing, you can set Strobe Speed to 0 and select a color for a cool, yet less intrusive blade effect. 

- Now supports old and new ATmega328P bootloaders.  When updating firmware, if new doesn't work, try selecting old.   

December 10th, 2022

Alien Annunciator Config Tool v2.7.37 (Removed, please use latest version)

for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11

Change Log for 2.7.37:

- Added new strobing effect for Xeno Jaw  for Queen's Nest mode 

- Minor UI fixes

- Minor Heighway logic fixes

November 10th, 2022
Alien Annunciator Config Tool v2.7.36b (Removed, please use latest version)
for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

Change Log for 2.7.36:

- Improved Test Mode UI and Test Switches UI

- Fix issue where board may not retry long enough after plugging in

- Fix issue where LEDs may not update after a reboot or settings update

- Many miscellaneous bug fixes

- Hypersleep Multiball Mode (with AUX Board 10 Hardware coming soon)

- SentryGun Multiball Mode (with AUX Board 10 Hardware coming soon)

- Xeno JAW integration (with AUX Board 10 Hardware coming soon)

- Backbox Configuration Module (with Alien Annunciator MINI Hardware coming soon)

- Heighway Version Support