• Locked Locked
  • Replies 18 replies
  • Subscribers 33 subscribers
  • Views 3416 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Support feedback
Options
Options
Similar topics

This thread has been locked.

If you have a related question, please click the "Ask a related question" button in the top right corner. The newly created question will be automatically linked to this question.

DLP LightCrafter USB connectivity solution

Pascal DLP
Genius 9935 points

Several people who purchased DLP LightCrafter modules have reported problems with connecting their LCr modules to their PCs via USB. These problems fall into 3 patterns:

1) Plugging the LCr module USB into the PC does not result in the proper installation of the required driver, RNDIS. This driver implements a TCP/IP network connection over USB protocol, which allows the PC to communicate with the LCr over the TCP/IP (internet) protocol, but using a physical USB connection. In other words, TCP/IP is encapsulated in the USB physical and protocol levels. If the RNDIS driver does not install, the Windows marks the device as an "Unknown USB device" and communication with the LCr cannot be established.

2) When the LCr module is plugged into the USB of the PC, the RNDIS driver is installed, but fails to initialize properly - usually displaying a "Code 10" error. This is thought to be because the module was correctly recognized, and initiated the installation of the RNDIS driver, but that the quality of the USB connection was so unreliable at the packet level that the connection is not completed.

3) The LCr module, when plugged into the PC USB port causes the proper RNDIS driver to install, apparently without errors. However, attempts to connect to the LCr using the LCr GUI are not successful, or the LCr GUI hangs - often requiring the PC to be powered down and rebooted.

We believe that we have found the root cause of these USB connection difficulties. The simple description is that one of the integrated circuits which was used in the design and build of the LightCrafter is a part which is designed and specified for USB Full Speed (USB 1.1) operation only. It is not compatible with USB 2.0 High Speed operation. However, the low level code which is supplied on the LCr enumerates the USB connection as a USB 2.0 device. This means that the OS (Windows) tries to negotiate a USB 2.0 high speed connection with the LCr. On many USB ports, this is successful, and the connection is established and usable with no further problems. However, USB ports and computers and USB cables vary in quality and performance. This means that on some combinations of hardware and OS (Win7, Win XP) the connection fails, and the LCr connection does not work (as per the descriptions at the beginning of this message).

We are currently in the process of validating a firmware build (which will be user installable) which enumerates the LCr as a USB 1.1 device. We are verifying that this addresses all of the failure modes (above). All of our tests show that this is firmware change solves the connectivity problems which have been reported. This firmware update will be available within the next few days - with instructions on where to download it, and how to install it.

Look for more updates next week.

Best regards,

Pascal

  • Prodigy 110 points

    Dear pascal DLP,

    What's the current status of the new firmware you mentions earlier? Is it the DLP LightCrafter Firmware and Software Package Version 1.1 located on http://www.ti.com/tool/dlp3000-c300ref? If it is, i found impossible to download it, please give me some help.

    Thank you in advance,

    Hai

  • in reply to hai jiao
    TI__Genius 9935 points

    Hai,

    The link should be active sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening UTC. Sorry for the delay. If you can't download it by tomorrow evening, please let me know.

    Best regards,

    Pascal

  • in reply to Pascal DLP
    Prodigy 110 points

    Dear pascal DLP,

    Thank you very much for the quick response! I will let you know if i run into other problems.

    Regards,

    Hai

  • in reply to hai jiao
    Prodigy 110 points

    Dear Pascal,

    sorry to trouble you again, the firmware connection is still closed, could you help me verify its status.

    Thanks,

    Hai

  • in reply to Pascal DLP
    Prodigy 85 points

    Anyone want to start a pool on how long it will take the posted link to do anything besides take you on an endless loop with no possible hope of any meaningful result other than loosing one more billable hour dealing with pathetic support for this seemingly stellar, yet unusable product?

    I'll put my money (A genuine Innotech coffee cup) on eight days from ..... tomorrow.

    Justification for betting on eight days...

    1.) It will take the overworked, under-coordinated engineers, until Tue to realize that the link should have been tested from a non-TI-campus based machine.

    2.) By then, an internal TI consensus will probably have determined that the complaining customers do not know how to use the self-help system.

    3.) That will move the complaints to Thr before someone realizes the link does indeed not do what it was tested internally to do.

    4.) This in turn prompts action to be taken on a Fri... which means Monday in all reality.

    5.) Someone starts work on Tue to fix the issue and has it solved in about 30 seconds. (Admittedly, it's probably a lot longer than this, but it makes the next line much funnier).

    6.) No-one that can authorize the fix to go live does their three second check until Thr when the link or system does what it is advertised to do.

    Sorry guys... just venting a bit. I know that you are working hard and just hope that you get a little Dilbert laugh out of this to brighten your day. I hope that I will be able to delete this post once the link goes live to a working destination. Best regards and happy coding.

  • in reply to Larron Fritz
    TI__Genius 9935 points

    Hai, Laron, others,

    Believe it or not we are working on it. The WEB links are handled by another group - and they are having some kinks to work out on the linking. Very sorry for the delay. I recognize the frustration.

    I hope we don't win the 8 day pool! (Laron - humor taken)

    Best regards,

    Pascal

  • in reply to Pascal DLP
    TI__Genius 9935 points

    Hai, Laron, Everyone!

    The link to the LightCrafter Software and Firmware Package v1.1 is working!

    http://www.ti.com/lcrfirmsw11

    Enjoy!

    Pascal

  • in reply to Pascal DLP
    Prodigy 110 points

    Dear pascal,

    thanks for the update!

    Regards,

    Hai

  • in reply to hai jiao
    Prodigy 85 points

    Thanks to the entire staff for their efforts.  The platform is improving.  Some general notes after successfully installing the upgraded firmware. 

    -Initial flashing failed after the second splash screen.  It installed completely on the second try but did not proceed to the RGB vertical bar screen.  Switching back to regular boot mode completed successfully and connected smoothly to the GUI.

    -The GUI connects consistently and doesn't crash after successive reboots as before.  It has been stable so far as well.

    -The driver install hung twice while installing on a Vista machine, but worked after second reboot with a clean install.

    -Thanks again for everyone sticking with it.  I can begin the process of attempting to communicate with the device.

    -The HDMI port is now functional as well.

  • in reply to Pascal DLP
    Intellectual 340 points

    Dear pascal DLP,

    thanks for the update!

    But the problem still exists, after i install the file "DlpInstallerDLP3000_C300REFDM365_2012_06_26". Is there something wrong:

    At first i installed the file "DlpInstallerDLP3000_C300REFDM365_2012_06_26", then i Plug the LCr module USB into the PC (windows XP),
    but it does not result in the proper installation of the required driver, RNDIS. It still shows that the RNDIS driver does not install,
    and the Windows marks the device as an "Unknown USB device".

    Does anybody know how can i solve this problem?

    Thanks a lot!!!

    Regards

    Di

  • in reply to Di Zhang1
    TI__Expert 4500 points

    Dear Di,

    The "DLPLightCrafter_FW_SW_v1.1_2012_07_19.zip" file contains new DM365 build, EDID, MSP430 and FPGA firmwares.

    You will have to manually upgrade the firmware on the LightCrafter module as instructed in the ReadMe file. The DM365 image should be first copied to an SD card and then inserted in the module. When properly installed, this new software will fix the USB connectivity issue.

    Now, the module can be connected to PC via USB cable and the MSP430 and FPGA firmwares can be upgraded ( Instructions are provided in the ReadMe.txt file).

    Please let us know if you face any difficulties.

    Regards,

    Divya

  • in reply to Divya Reddy
    Intellectual 375 points

    Hello,

    I've updated everything I could from LightCrafter Software and Firmware Package v1.1.

    Now LightCrafter is recognized both in Windows XP and Windows 7 without USB Hub (but I still need RNDS_DRIVER).

    - In Windows XP it takes about 8-10 seconds to establish connection

    - In Windows 7 it takes about 78-82 seconds to establish connection and if Windows Connection Manager is opened during establishing connection, it hangs until the end of this operation. 

    - In Linux everything good without any drivers and it takes about 2-4 seconds to establish connection (the glory of penguins)

    Is there any suggestion about abnormal Windows 7 establishing time?

    Regards,

    Vitaly



  • in reply to Vitaly Zubkov
    Intellectual 340 points

    dear Vitaly,

    I have installed RNDS DRIVER and unpacked it, but i've no idea how can i use it. Can you please tell me how can i install this file?

    Thanks a lot!

    best regards!

    Di

  • in reply to Di Zhang1
    Intellectual 375 points

    Hello, Di,

    1) You should connect LightCrafter to your computer via usb and turn it on.

    2) When LightCrafter boots, after a minute it will be recognised by system as unknown device (or may be RNDIS device, if you have this driver on your system).

    3) You should open Device Manager (Right mouse button on My Computer -> Properties -> Device manager or Control Panel -> Device manager)

    4) Select in tree unknown device and show it properties (Rigt mouse button -> Properties), select tab named "Driver"

    5) Push "Update" button. In new windows select second item (Find on this computer). In next window push "Browse" button and select the folder with unpacked driver.

    6) Push "Next" button and LightCragter should be recognised as RNDIS device.

    Tou can find more information in LightCrafter User's Guide (http://www.ti.com/lit/ug/dlpu006/dlpu006.pdf) on LightCrafter's web page (http://www.ti.com/tool/dlplightcrafter)

    P.S. I don't have english version of Windows so some button's or command's names above may not be accurate.

    Best Regards,

    Vitaly

  • in reply to Vitaly Zubkov
    Intellectual 340 points

    Hi Vitaly,

    Thank you very much!! It helps me a lot!

    Di

  • in reply to Pascal DLP
    Prodigy 130 points
    Hi Pascal,

    Do you know if this method or a new USB hub works for connecting multiple TI 4500 lightcrafters? I have not been able to connect multiple projectors and be able to access all of them from multiple simultaneously running copies your software. There are many posts with scattered info about changing IP addresses. So far nothing works. I do not get RNDIS to show up on Win7 or Win10.

    Best, Trevor
  • in reply to Trevor Wardill
    TI__Mastermind 30600 points
    Hi Trevor,

    The LightCrafter 4500 doesn't use RNDIS for connection with PC. It uses USB HID interface. It is not possible to connect multiple LightCrafter 4500s via a USB hub because they have same VID and PID; the GUI tool allows just one connection at a time.

    Thanks,
    Paul
  • TI__Mastermind 30600 points
    Trevor,

    I've moved your question into the Lightcrafter 4500 forum as its own thread: e2e.ti.com/.../509970

    Thanks,
    Paul