Cannot flash FPGA bitstream after LimeTool --update

[theal]

Hi, I have a LimeSDR v1.4s, I tried to run LimeTool --update and it screwed up everything.
At the moment I’m able to flash anything I want on the FX3 chip (using LimeSuiteGUI) but nothing on the FPGA.

LimeSuiteGUI shows right after connecting to the SDR:

[17:59:19] WARNING: Gateware version mismatch!
  Expected gateware version 2, revision 14
  But found version 0, revision 0
  Follow the FW and FPGA upgrade instructions:
  http://wiki.myriadrf.org/Lime_Suite#Flashing_images
  Or run update on the command line: LimeUtil --update

[17:59:19] ERROR: Command not supported
[17:59:19] INFO: Connected Control port: LimeSDR-USB FW:4 HW:4 Protocol:1 GW:0.0 Ref Clk: -0.00 MHz

If I try to use the programming tool (FPGA Flash / FPGA Reset) I just get ‘Programming Failed: Error’.

This is what happens if I try to do the same using LimeUtil:

$ LimeUtil --fpga=/home/al/Downloads/LimeSDR-USB_HW_1.4_r2.14.rbf 
Connected to [LimeSDR-USB [USB 2.0] 9060B00490F2B]
Gateware version mismatch!
  Expected gateware version 2, revision 14
  But found version 0, revision 0
  Follow the FW and FPGA upgrade instructions:
  http://wiki.myriadrf.org/Lime_Suite#Flashing_images
  Or run update on the command line: LimeUtil --update

Programming failed! Error
[  0%]    32/574703 Bytes Programming failed! Error
Programming failed! : Programming failed! Error

Also, I tried to use any possible combination of:

• Different FX3 firmwares: {Latest from downloads.myriadrf.org, Latest from git, Random ones}
• LimeSuite version: {(Random) Old stable, Latest stable version, Latest version on git}
• USB Data Cable: {USB2,USB3}
• Power supply {USB3 internal, USB external, external 7.5/9 adapter, external 9v battery}
  always with the exact same result.

Now I’m thinking about flashing it using an external JTAG interface, do you have any tutorial or suggestion about that?

Thank you!

[martywittrock]

@theal,

Use the programming steps in this link to resolve the FPGA issues:

Firmware update problem

Keep us advised of your progress - thanks,

73 de Marty, KN0CK

[theal]

Hi, thanks for the reply!
I have the latest version of LimeSuiteGUI installed, so I don’t have the Bitstream to FPGA but FPGA FLASH.
Here are some screenshots:

1. Options -> ConnectionSettings
   

2. Result (Log):
   

   

3. Before flashing
   

4. A few milliseconds after pressing ‘Program’
   

   

The board is connected in this way:

(the external usb charger outputs 5v/2A)

[vk5bd]

Hello @theal, I see that you are using the supplied USB break out lead, I found mine was problematic, suspect even though it has the “Dual” supply the cable is not up to scratch, can you carefully plug your LimeSDR directly into the USB3 Port of your PC and try the upgrade again?

Regards,
Bevan

[theal]

Same result

[andrewback]

If you could try uploading firmware using the Cypress tools. You will need to force the FX3 into bootloader mode by removing J17. For details see:

https://wiki.myriadrf.org/LimeSDR-USB_Board_Programming#Updating_USB3_Microcontroller_Firmware_in_Bootloader_Mode

Then when this is done upload the FPGA image using either the LimeSuiteGUI or LimeUtil.

[theal]

Hi, thank you for the reply. Which firmware should I write into the FX3?

[andrewback]

Pick the directory that corresponds to the build of Lime Suite:

http://downloads.myriadrf.org/project/limesuite/

The FX3 firmware has a *.img extension and select the file which corresponds to your hardware version, which should almost certainly be v1.4 (it’s printed on the board).