Lime SDR Mini (USB) / Unexpected behaviors / Many devices comparisons

Projects LimeSDR
1

Dear Myriad Team, Dear Happy Forum users …

Preamble

We bought several (~20) Lime SDR Mini (USB) in different “batches”. Most of them were in 1.28 GW firmware.

The first things we did is upgrade them to 1.30, execute the Quick Test to check that everything was fine. We use the latest official 19.04.0 Lime Suite version, with SoapySDR from git (but probably not the latest commits, only the “official tags”).

We are not very familiar with SDR, but as many of all, we look at the blog about LSM, watch the videos, read the forum, and go on the git repo to check the code itself.

Issue

After some weeks of work, we found a way to go with soapySDR (in python version) to get all the measurements we want with the SDR.

Unfortunately it appears that some devices (/ setup ?) did not work as the others.

We found that sometime, we need to use LimeSuiteGUI to reset the board, to make it works.

But sometimes, it’s not enough.

Last example I have is that after a short time, one of our SDR just refuse to works on some specifics frequencies (in our case it’s 1960MHz in both RX/TX) (perhaps the temperature ?).

The logs are spammed with MCU Error 4 or MCU Error 3 … and we don’t detect any emitted signal.

My best guess is that we miss something in the configuration of the boards, that sometimes is right, sometimes is wrong depending on the production process of the board (or perhaps component tolerance ?).

Could someone give us a hint to were to look at ?

We tried to check the .ini of the boards from the LimeSuiteGui but didn’t find anything really understandable in them for doing a comparison.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards,

Caeies.

PS: I have a lot’s of things to say, to reverse to the community but we are in complete hurry :slight_smile:

2

Hello @caeies,

First of all, what boards do you mean? LimeSDR-Mini or LimeSDR-USB?
Could you test your boards using LimeQuickTest and share log files please.

3

Hi @Zack,

Sorry for not being clear. These are all LimeSDR-Mini.

LimeQuickTest are ok, I don’t have them here, but I will post them tomorrow.

And by the way, we already broke ~4 of them, the sdr seems to refuse to emit any signal on some frequencies, or complain of not being to tune to RF …

Thanks for your help !

4

Hi @Zack,

Here’s some results (Please don’t care about the USB2.0 notification, this is only due to the testing case).

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 06:29:03 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 2.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4C2C87C3DF04
Warning: USB3 not available
  Serial Number: 1D4C2C87C3DF04

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 46018; 59214; 6875 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6711072 (min); 6711237 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 13 02 0C 13 02 0C 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
  Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
  Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-13.9 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-12.8 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED

=> Board tests PASSED <=

Elapsed time: 2.63 seconds

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 15:30:44 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4C3888519F42
  Serial Number: 1D4C3888519F42

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 60013; 7674; 20871 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6711037 (min); 6711192 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 13 02 0D 13 02 0D 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
  Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
  Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-13.6 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-13.5 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED

=> Board tests PASSED <=

Elapsed time: 2.41 seconds

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 15:49:37 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4C2AFA909C94
  Serial Number: 1D4C2AFA909C94

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 46468; 59665; 7326 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6711039 (min); 6711191 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 13 02 0C 13 02 0C 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
  Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
  Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-15.0 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-15.5 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED

=> Board tests PASSED <=

Elapsed time: 2.59 seconds

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 15:50:11 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4249B13B7CB1
  Serial Number: 1D4249B13B7CB1

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 61373; 9034; 22236 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6710994 (min); 6711160 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 12 07 1A 12 07 1A 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
  Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
  Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-12.9 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-12.3 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED

=> Board tests PASSED <=

Elapsed time: 2.47 seconds

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 15:50:32 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4C2B8F2E8121
  Serial Number: 1D4C2B8F2E8121

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 6578; 19769; 32973 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6710995 (min); 6711149 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 13 02 0C 13 02 0C 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
  Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
  Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-14.2 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-14.0 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED

=> Board tests PASSED <=

Elapsed time: 2.52 seconds

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 15:51:06 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4C2A74EBC9F9
  Serial Number: 1D4C2A74EBC9F9

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 37406; 50603; 63800 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6710988 (min); 6711144 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 13 02 0C 13 02 0C 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
  Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
  Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-13.1 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-13.2 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED

=> Board tests PASSED <=

Elapsed time: 2.43 seconds

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 15:51:59 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D42575299304B
  Serial Number: 1D42575299304B

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 59289; 6950; 20147 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6711066 (min); 6711219 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 12 07 1B 12 07 1B 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
  Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
  Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-12.2 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-12.9 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED

=> Board tests PASSED <=

Elapsed time: 2.48 seconds

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 15:52:54 2019

Board not supported
Failed to connect

I’m trying to collect more logs, but as some board are abroad, its harder.

Hope that you can help us.

5

Hi Again @Zack,

I’m posting again the quick test result of the first SDR :

 [ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Dec  5 11:23:50 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4C2C87C3DF04
  Serial Number: 1D4C2C87C3DF04

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 61972; 9633; 22831 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6711090 (min); 6711254 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 13 02 0C 13 02 0C 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
  Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
  Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-12.9 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-12.1 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED

=> Board tests PASSED <=

Elapsed time: 2.48 seconds

Everything looks fine … but this board is able to sent / transmit on the ~1960Mhz after being plugged 2 or 3 times … then the power is drastically lowered (at least this is how I interpret things) [and the quick test was done is such conditions].

I would like to be able to test it in «loop» after simulating a unplug / plug (if it was a computer, I would say «reboot», but here, I don’t know is this is doable by some way as we are using powered USB 3.0 Hubs).

What do you think ?

Caeies.