LimeSDR mini unreliable

I just got my mini a few days ago and I’m finding it totally unreliable. If I run LimeQuickTest about half the time it fails with:

Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-12.7 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - FAILED

Was working last night with gqrx and then this morning couldn’t get it working t all. It’s suddently started working again.

Any clue as to why this is happening?

BTW I’m using it on Fedora

Well, today it is 100% reliable. Have sdrangel working as well. Though this does remind me of linux from scratch or gentoo with the amount of compiling I have to do…

Has anything changed between tests failing and passing? E.g. connections to the RF ports. When running the tests nothing should be connected to them. In any case, keep us posted.

Today I get failure on both the RX and TX test ->Run Tests (TX_2 -> LNA_W):
CH0 (SXR=1000.0MHz, SXT=1005.0MHz): Result:(-20.8 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - FAILED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-49.7 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - FAILED
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

That’s with both the included antennae attached, or with no antennae.
However, even though it says it failed, it does appear to be working ok with SDRangel, gqrx and gnuradio with Fedora. Admittedly I haven’t done much with it yet though.

Are you actively cooling your mini?

No. I bought the mini with the aluminium case. How would I cool that without removing the case?
FYI, If I run LimeSuiteGui right now it says 50C.

Blow a fan on it? Or just unplug it and let it cool down to room temp before plugging it back in. Then see if it works better?

It seems to behave the same no matter whether I just plug it in or it’s been running for a while. It’s just that the tests fail, though now the device appears to work fine in all the rx tools. Haven’t tried tx yet.

Disconnected for 20 mins or so and temp went down to 24/26. Still failed result on both above. Admittedly I don’t know what the prerequistes for a TX_2 -> LNA_W test or a TX_1 -> LNA_H actually are!

@Zack, could you take a look and advise, please.

Hi @myr11,

Share the test log file here, please.

Could you tell me exactly what you want me to provide, with or without antennae attached, etc? Cool (immediately after plugging in) or hot or both. Thanks!

Sorry, edited my last message.
External devices can not be connected to the board when performing self test. Hence no antenna.

$ LimeQuickTest 
[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Fri Oct 18 12:05:05 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4C2CFED11307
  Serial Number: 1D4C2CFED11307

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 53399; 1060; 14257 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6710997 (min); 6711164 (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:(-20.0 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-48.4 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - FAILED
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

=> Board tests FAILED <=

Elapsed time: 2.56 seconds

Second run:

$ LimeQuickTest 
[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Fri Oct 18 12:15:23 2019

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D4C2CFED11307
  Serial Number: 1D4C2CFED11307

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
  Test results: 45081; 58278; 5939 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
  Results : 6711039 (min); 6711204 (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:(-21.3 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - FAILED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-49.6 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - FAILED
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

=> Board tests FAILED <=

Elapsed time: 2.63 seconds

TX_1 -> LNA_H is clearly failing on your board while TX_2 -> LNA_W is on the edge hence sometimes it is OK, sometimes fails.
Contact CrowdSupply for replacement.

Ok, thanks. Slightly complicated as I bought it whilst in the US and am now back in the UK.

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ LimeQuickTest
[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Thu Sep 24 22:23:32 2020

->Device: LimeSDR Mini, media=USB 3.0, module=FT601, addr=24607:1027, serial=1D3BD0C4F0CDFF, HW=1, GW=1.30
Serial Number: 1D3BD0C4F0CDFF
Chip temperature: 43 C

[ Clock Network Test ]
->REF clock test
Test results: 57577; 5238; 18435 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
Results : 6710994 (min); 6711159 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 12 03 10 12 03 10 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:(-27.9 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - FAILED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_H):
CH0 (SXR=2100.0MHz, SXT=2105.0MHz): Result:(-12.3 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

=> Board tests FAILED <=

Elapsed time: 2.50 seconds

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$

What version of LimeSuite are you using?

Is something connected to the RF ports during test procedure?

20.07.2-myriadrf1~focal amd64 (build date: 2020-08-06)
i did have a terminator on tx and a clear tv antenna you hang in a window.
sorry for the delay in my answer

i have done test before without tx and rx terminated (just open) and i have done test with both tx and rx terminated. with pretty much same result if i remember correct.
i can do any suggestion you want me to do just ask.