I have been asked to revive a new LimeSDR Mini V2.0, there was an attempt made to update its firmware via the BATC Portsdown project, and now the Mini is not functional, even the green/red LED is not flashing any sequence.
LimeSuite identifies the device is connected to the PC and is able to get the serial number, however once you are connected to it, it shows the following
[12:26:27] ERROR: TransferPacket: Write failed (ret=-1)
[12:26:27] INFO: Connected Control port: UNKNOWN FW:0 HW:15 Protocol:0 GW:0.0 Ref Clk: -0.00 MHz
Which LimeSuite version is correct for the Mini V2.0. The version that is loaded by Pothos is 20.10.0 however I have found a version 22.09.
When trying to use the Programming option from LimeSuite in no longer has the automatic option available, instead asking for a file for FPGA or FX3 with RAM / FLASH / Reset options.
Where do I find the latest FPGA or FX3 files for the LimeSDR Mini V2.0
I’m suspecting I am going to have to program the FPGA directly once I have the necessary files, however is the equipment needed and process the same?
At present you need to build from git master and not check out any specific release, as one hasn’t been made yet which has Mini v2 support.
For now:
Until a new Lime Suite release is made and then the bitstream is published to the corresponding directory on the downloads server. Note that there is no FX3 firmware (neither Mini v1 or v2 has one).
So that seemed to be successful, however @Zack, the instructions are a little ambiguous in places:
In the Flash programming section, the Programming file: points to a LimeSD_Mini_LED_Blink_impl1.bit which I was unable to locate and instead used lms7_trx_preflash_gw.bit
When it came to “FPGA programming using Lattice Diamond software” procedure, opening the archived project created all the file lists, however when I found the correct *sram.xcf file the file to be programmed pointed at a non existent directory so I had to navigate to the correct directory to find the file to be programmed.
Then when I went to do the “FPGA Flash programming” I used the other *.xcf file, it also pointed to a non existent directory and once I had corrected that I was getting an ID Error, this was fixed by cycling power on the LimeSDR. Maybe cycling power needs to inserted into the instructions after each step as some people are very cautious about cycling power during a programming stage if not told to do so.
Anyway, the LimeSDR is now reporting “LimeSDR-Mini_v2 FW:8 HW:5 Protocol:1 GW:2.1 Ref Clk: 40.00 MHz” via the LimeSuite, which is what I first saw when I was orginally asked to check the device out, the owner of the LimeSDR has now been told by the developer of the Portsdown project that the firmware’s, particularly the Lime DVB firmware, is incompatible with the new Mini v2
We’re in communication with Dave and I understand that Portsdown is now working with Mini v2, though not sure if it’s been released yet. There was some initial confusion over the fact that the v2 board was advertised as being “plug compatible”, when it in fact is, but only if you update Lime Suite. Which reminds me that we need to get the Crowd Supply page updated to clarify this.
Thanks for the feedback on flash programming. @Zack could you update the documentation?
I’ve only just seen this topic, having been asked to help recover another LimeSDR Mini V2 that has been flashed as a V1 by the Portsdown software. The issue has mainly occurred in Australia because their Amateur TV Repeaters use very wide bandwidths (4 MHz) which required the use of the specialised DVB firmware with the Portsdown Amateur TV Transmitter.
The current version of the Portsdown 4 does support the LimeSDR Mini V2, but does not prevent it being programmed as though it was a LimeSDR Mini V1. However, I do have a new version undergoing final testing at the moment that specifically checks the LimeSDR Mini version and prevents V2s being programmed as a V1. I hope to release it this weekend.
Hi … Andy VK3XKA here. I was told to contact VK5BD (and others that maybe able to help) re problems i am having with my Lime Mini 2. It was programmed via Portsdown and it thinks it is ver 1. I have been speaking to Dave G8GKQ with some success but it maybe easier with someone local and that has had success.
What is your preferred from of contact … mobile? Whatever suits you …
Hello Andy, I had to recover a LimeSDR Mini v2.0 for VK5YYY as he had also used the Portsdown to update the LimeSDR. The process is not too difficult following the instructions supplied by Zack, however I did have to change so file pointers during the recovery and needed to cycle power during the FPGA programming. The critical item though is you need a FT2232H hardware module to interface with the LimeSDR JTag port. If needed, you can start contacting me via my callsign at wia.org.au or winlink.
Regards,
Bevan
VK5BD
The latest version of the Portsdown 4 software (202303250, issued today), does not allow users of the LimeSDR Mini V2 to overwrite the Lime with firmware intended for the LimeSDR Mini V1.
Greetings, sorry for hijacking topic, but I think its kind of a relevant question. I would like to know if its absolutely necessary to use FT2232H Mini Module board, or can any electrically compatible JTAG USB adapter can be used? What are the main requirements for compatibility? Is it only the voltage levels that are being used or something else?
It has a Micro USB connector instead of older almost phased out Mini USB. Also it is more convenient, because it has two onboard jumpers for configuring power, so it needs less additional wires and therefore a smaller chance of wiring mistakes when flashing LimeSDR mini.
I apologize for interfering in the discussion, but maybe someone will tell me.
Am I correct - in order to factory reset or reprogram my device, I absolutely need to have the FT2232H Mini Module board or the FT2232H-56Q MINI MDL as described above?
Do I need any additional programming equipment at all, or is a PC sufficient?
Can you please let me know if there is anything other than the software listed in your link to program LimeSDR Mini 2.0?
Also, are the devices mentioned below, such as the FT2232H Mini Module, required?
Also read the “Board programming” part for correct filenames in github page below, because the filenames displayed in the pictures in the first link are incorrect.
I flashed the gateware from LImeSDR v1 on my LimeSDR v2 device by mistake. I have to face the same symptoms that the original poster from this thread with LimeSuite. Is it possible to ask for a RMA because I’m not enough skilled to reprogramming the board following the JTAG procedure ?
