My board needs to be warmed up a LOT in order to work?

Projects LimeSDR
1

Since I received this (one of the early adopters on Crowdsupply), I’ve always had to reflash the firmware before using it… I always see the following message…

Gateware version mismatch!
Expected gateware version 2, revision 17
But found version 0, revision 0
Follow the FW and FPGA upgrade instructions:
Lime Suite - Myriad-RF Wiki
Or run update on the command line: LimeUtil --update

I never really looked into it as I kinda shelved the radio, but have recently started tinkering with it again and it’s just annoying to have to do this every. single. time. What’s worse, is that LimeUtil doesn’t do it…only launching LimeSuiteGui and programming it through there gets the job done.

Tried different cabled, ports, AC adapters (in case it was a power issue), and it doesn’t seem to stick. Any ideas?

2

Just so you know, the ‘found version 0, revision 0’ says that your flash isn’t actually being written. Presumably you could have had this fixed when you first received the unit (it appears defective) but after all this time, not sure how they will respond.

3

Yeah, my divorce got in the way of all my hobbies, I’m just starting to get into the swing of things. I’m hoping it’s something that can be fixed one way or another.

4

Sadly, most shops would “fix” this level of problem by swapping out the board with a replacement. I have no idea what is wrong with your board, but given the symptoms (everything works but flash) I would do a visual inspection of the flash chip using a microscope, checking for solder bridges first, then missing component like a power bypass capacitor. If the problem wasn’t obvious then the next step would be to desolder the flash chip, clean up the board, and then replace it.

The good news is that CrowdSupply has boards in stock so for $300 you can have them ship you one that is known to work.

5

I’d also check that you have sufficient power (maybe ~5 watts). Try every USB 3.0 port on your computer (not all are equal in terms of power, and noise) and maybe also unplug all other USB devices while trying to update the flash. My guess would be that while attempting to write to flash the device requires extra power, than for normal operation. Have you manually tried to program the flash using LimeSuite GUI, does it say that it has Programmed X number of bytes to the SPI flash. And if successful does “birstream from flash” correctly load the contents of flash into to the FPGA ?

6

Yep, tried with different cables, computers, laptops, with and without external power. Windows, MacOS, and various flavors of Linux installed, live, or under VM.

I was experimenting a bit with it yesterday and it’s really inconsistent.

Most of the time the LimeUtil doesn’t make it work… But through the SuiteGUI does… After a few tries. Sometimes I’ll try once, run the quick test and it fails… Then a few minutes later of not doing anything it passes.

It won’t lose the flash right away if I unplug it, but if it’s unplugged for a few minutes, I have to do everything all over again.

7

Remember back when I said that LimeUtil works sometimes? Yeah, it doesn’t work at all…it says it’s flashing, but doesn’t. I can only get this thing running when flashing the FPGA through LimeSuiteGUI.

8

Search for instructions on using the Cypress Suite to reflash it all.
DO NOT use any power supply over 8VDC.
I use a QUALITY USB3 hub for power after damaging mine with a 12VDC supply.

Ed

9

No go, it flashes in LimeSuiteGUI only (which really doesn’t make sense), it works for as long as it’s plugged in…once it’s unplugged for more than around 2-3 minutes, goes back to 0:0

@Zack? @andrewback?

10

Hi @Ramsin,

Usually this type of issue is caused by poor cable or power supply. Could you post QuickTest log results here, please.

Cypress Suite will flash FX3 MCU firmware only. It will not flash FPGA flash memory.

11

Below is trying with the stock cable, and 2 other cables from Amazon. Same result when plugged into a 7.5v power supply. Same results no matter what I do, unless I reflash it.

root@Dhalsim:~# LimeQuickTest
[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Mon Sep 16 20:30:42 2019

Read(64 bytes) failed
Gateware version mismatch!
Expected gateware version 2, revision 17
But found version 0, revision 0
Follow the FW and FPGA upgrade instructions:
Lime Suite - Myriad-RF Wiki
Or run update on the command line: LimeUtil --update

Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
->Device: LimeSDR-USB, media=USB 3.0, module=FX3, addr=1d50:6108, serial=0009060B00463617
Serial Number: 0009060B00463617
Read(64 bytes) failed

[ Clock Network Test ]
->FX3 GPIF clock test
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
->FX3 GPIF clock test FAILED
->Si5351C test
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->VCTCXO test
Read(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->ADF4002 Test
Read(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->Clock Network Test FAILED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 10 0C 1D 10 0C 1D 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
Read(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
->LMS7002M Test FAILED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
SetFrequencyCGEN(491.52 MHz) failed
Failed to set sample rate
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

=> Board tests FAILED <=

Elapsed time: 0.22 seconds

root@Dhalsim:~# LimeQuickTest
[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Mon Sep 16 20:31:07 2019

Read(64 bytes) failed
Gateware version mismatch!
Expected gateware version 2, revision 17
But found version 0, revision 0
Follow the FW and FPGA upgrade instructions:
Lime Suite - Myriad-RF Wiki
Or run update on the command line: LimeUtil --update

Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
->Device: LimeSDR-USB, media=USB 3.0, module=FX3, addr=1d50:6108, serial=0009060B00463617
Serial Number: 0009060B00463617
Read(64 bytes) failed

[ Clock Network Test ]
->FX3 GPIF clock test
Read(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
->FX3 GPIF clock test FAILED
->Si5351C test
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->VCTCXO test
Write(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->ADF4002 Test
Write(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->Clock Network Test FAILED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 10 0C 1D 10 0C 1D 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
Write(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
->LMS7002M Test FAILED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
SetFrequencyCGEN(491.52 MHz) failed
Failed to set sample rate
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

=> Board tests FAILED <=

Elapsed time: 3.70 seconds

root@Dhalsim:~# LimeQuickTest
[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Mon Sep 16 20:31:13 2019

Read(64 bytes) failed
Gateware version mismatch!
Expected gateware version 2, revision 17
But found version 0, revision 0
Follow the FW and FPGA upgrade instructions:
Lime Suite - Myriad-RF Wiki
Or run update on the command line: LimeUtil --update

Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
->Device: LimeSDR-USB, media=USB 3.0, module=FX3, addr=1d50:6108, serial=0009060B00463617
Serial Number: 0009060B00463617
Read(64 bytes) failed

[ Clock Network Test ]
->FX3 GPIF clock test
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
->FX3 GPIF clock test FAILED
->Si5351C test
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->VCTCXO test
Read(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->ADF4002 Test
Read(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->Clock Network Test FAILED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 10 0C 1D 10 0C 1D 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
Read(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
->LMS7002M Test FAILED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
Read(64 bytes) failed
SetFrequencyCGEN(491.52 MHz) failed
Failed to set sample rate
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

=> Board tests FAILED <=

Elapsed time: 0.22 seconds

root@Dhalsim:~#

The following is after trying to flash using LimeUtil…

root@Dhalsim:~# LimeUtil -fpga=/home/ramsin/LimeSDR-USB_HW_1.4_r2.21.rbf
Connected to [LimeSDR-USB [USB 3.0] 9060B00463617]
Read(64 bytes) failed
Gateware version mismatch!
Expected gateware version 2, revision 17
But found version 0, revision 0
Follow the FW and FPGA upgrade instructions:
Lime Suite - Myriad-RF Wiki
Or run update on the command line: LimeUtil --update

[100%] 580050/580050 Bytes programming: completed
FPGA boot from FLASH completed!
root@Dhalsim:~# LimeQuickTest
[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Mon Sep 16 20:37:40 2019

Read(64 bytes) failed
Gateware version mismatch!
Expected gateware version 2, revision 17
But found version 0, revision 0
Follow the FW and FPGA upgrade instructions:
Lime Suite - Myriad-RF Wiki
Or run update on the command line: LimeUtil --update

Read(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
->Device: LimeSDR-USB, media=USB 3.0, module=FX3, addr=1d50:6108, serial=0009060B00463617
Serial Number: 0009060B00463617
Write(64 bytes) failed

[ Clock Network Test ]
->FX3 GPIF clock test
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
->FX3 GPIF clock test FAILED
->Si5351C test
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->VCTCXO test
Write(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->ADF4002 Test
Write(64 bytes) failed
FAILED
->Clock Network Test FAILED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 10 0C 1D 10 0C 1D 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED

[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
Write(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
SPI_write() failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
->LMS7002M Test FAILED

[ RF Loopback Test ]
->Configure LMS
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
Write(64 bytes) failed
SetFrequencyCGEN(491.52 MHz) failed
Failed to set sample rate
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

=> Board tests FAILED <=

Elapsed time: 4.08 seconds

root@Dhalsim:~#

12

Ok, I just found some weird behavior…if I plug it in and instantly run the quicktest, it reports 2/21…if I run it again right after, it reports 0/0…

13

Heat? Have you tried a fan on the board?

Ed

14

@Zack, any other ideas? I’m stumped.

15

Hi there

This behaviour is similar to my device I got from the 2nd batch made from way back when.

I’ve found that if I leave the device powered on via the DC power in until the unit is warm to the touch(7-10mins) and then plugging in my unit via USB3 results in a successful connection.

Its weird.

Regards
ZS1SCI

16

Hi @Ramsin,

Have you tried a fan as suggested by AA7QQ?

17

Hi @Zack,

Yeah, temp doesn’t seem to have any effect on it.

18

Sometimes after using my board for some time, I start getting Read(64 bytes) failed and the board doesn’t work anymore. At that time, when checking the board in LimeSuite, I’ll usualy see the gateware version mismatch, with found version 0, revision 0.

Unplugging and replugging works but this isn’t convenient as I’m not next to the board. I found that doing a “Reset FX3” in LimeSuite usually makes it work again.

See "[ERROR] Read(64 bytes) failed" and "cannot deliver frequency" after receiving for some time for my own issues (I’m still having them up until now, and I don’t know why or when it arrives).

19

This didn’t seem to help in my case, I’m starting to thing this thing is faulty…

@Zack is there something I could do to permanently flash the chip? or any other ideas?

20

Hi @Ramsin,

Check with CrowdSupply for replacement.