DLPDLCR230NPEVM: "TI DLP" Splash Screen visible on startup, but no other projections/scripts work

Tadek Kosmal

Part Number: DLPDLCR230NPEVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLPC3436, DLPA2005

Hello,

I'm relatively new to this technology and am having trouble using the DLPDLCR230NPEVM.

I am using a raspberry pi 4b with the DLPDLCR230NPEVM. I am able to run all the scripts provided by TI in the python support, however no images appear when running. The only projection displayed is the initial "DLP Texas Instruments" logo on start up. I see the TI DLP logo, but no test pattern after it, like described in the manual. When I run the test patterns in "sample01_tpg.py", I can visibly see the DLP's mirrors change between the completely black and all-white projections, but no light is actually projected. On startup D_INIT_B and D_HOST_IRQ are always on, and D-DONE cycles with the projection of the DLP logo.

My Setup and things I've tried:

I have installed gpio wiring and I can detect the DLPDLCR230NPEVM over i2c
I re imaged the DLPDLCR230NPEVM using "flash_write_fpga.py" with dlpc3436_controller_firmware_7.3.13.img and "flash_write_controller.py" with dlpc3436_fpga_firmware_1.1.bin.
I changed the gpio drive strength from (e.g. using "gpio drive 0 6") between 5,6,7
I've changed power supplies from a wall plug 5V 3A to a 12V,30A PS with a 5V stepdown using a BUC converter

I'm a little confused and would appreciate some help. I've attached two images showing the startup behavior between the dlp logo and absence of the test pattern:

Thanks in advance!

over 2 years ago

0 Tadek Kosmal over 2 years ago

Prodigy 30 points

As an additional comment, the following color bar is never displayed:

0 Lori Wang over 2 years ago in reply to Tadek Kosmal

TI__Genius 9635 points

Hi Tadek,

Welcome to the TI E2E forum, and thank you for your interest in DLP® technology!

Our team will look into your question and get back to you next week.

Thanks,

Lori

0 Austin Snyder over 2 years ago in reply to Tadek Kosmal

TI__Genius 12785 points

Hello Tadek,

It sounds as though the video timings may not be properly configured.

Have you been able to update the config.txt file in the Raspberry Pi firmware? This process is described in Section 9.1 of the EVM User's Guide. If not, please try going through this section and let us know if this resolves the issue.

Regards,

Austin

0 Tadek Kosmal over 2 years ago in reply to Austin Snyder

Prodigy 30 points

Yes - I tried the two examples listed in Table 9-1 of the user's guide. I tried both:

hdmi_timings=1920 0 20 10 10 1080 0 10 10 10 0 0 0 58 0 125000000 3 (min)

hdmi_timings= 1920 0 20 10 10 1080 0 10 10 10 0 0 0 61 0 132000000 3 (max)

Is there something I'm missing or other variables I should be changing within hdmi timings?

0 Austin Snyder over 2 years ago in reply to Tadek Kosmal

TI__Genius 12785 points

Tadek,

Have you changed only these lines or the entire config.txt file? The whole file within your RPi /boot/ directory should be replaced with the config.txt file in the sample_config directory of the DLPDLCR230NPEVM Raspberry Pi Python Support package available on the EVM product page.

Regards,

Austin

0 Tadek Kosmal over 2 years ago in reply to Austin Snyder

Prodigy 30 points

I changed the entire config.txt file with the one provided in the TI python support pkg. Once I did that I tried modifying the GPIO drive strength and the hdmi timings. Should the DLP show the default color bar pattern on start up irregardless of hdmi_timings/drive strength?

0 Mayank Khandelwal over 2 years ago in reply to Tadek Kosmal

TI__Genius 9971 points

Tadek,

We will get back to you in a couple of days.

Regards,

Mayank

0 Austin Snyder over 2 years ago in reply to Tadek Kosmal

TI__Genius 12785 points

Tadek,

Yes, the color bar patttern should appear without any adjustments to the HDMI timings or drive strength.

Let's take a step back. Please try removing the GPIO wiring and connection to the Raspberry Pi. Please connect the 5V, 3A power supply directly to the EVM.

In this setup, does the color bar pattern appear? If not, please try probing the R15 resistor pad nearest U7.

The resistor should not be populated on the board, so this should be fairly accessible though it is a smaller pad.

This signal, RESETz, should start low and then hold high. Is this the case?

Regards,

Austin

0 Tadek Kosmal over 2 years ago in reply to Austin Snyder

Prodigy 30 points

The color bar pattern does not appear (both w/ and w/o the GPIO wiring connection). When the DLP is powered, RESETz does start low and then rises, as seen in the attached photo:

Thanks,

Tadek

0 Lori Wang over 2 years ago in reply to Tadek Kosmal

TI__Genius 9635 points

Hi Tadek,

Thank you for your information! In that case, we will need to look into and get back to you later.

Thanks,

Lori

+1 Austin Snyder over 2 years ago in reply to Tadek Kosmal

TI__Genius 12785 points

Tadek,

It appears that the firmware image available for download on the EVM product page is corrupted. I have flashed the image from the product page and encountered the same issue on my hardware. We will have to investigate this and correct.

In the meantime, please flash a firmware image from the TI Firmware Selector Tool onto your EVM. The applicable firmware will be for:

Controller: DLPC3436 (230NP DMD)
PMIC: DLPA2005
Pin Mapping: Option 1
I2C Address: 0x36
Firmware Version: 7.3.1

Flashing this image onto my EVM corrected the issue. Please let me know if it corrects yours as well.

Kindly,
Austin

0 Tadek Kosmal over 2 years ago in reply to Austin Snyder

Prodigy 30 points

This worked! Thank you!

0 Austin Snyder over 2 years ago in reply to Tadek Kosmal

TI__Genius 12785 points

Hello Tadek,

I am glad that your EVM is up and working now.

After some consideration, the firmware available on the Firmware Selector Tool is not the ideal firmware for long term use. The DLPDLCR230NPEVM is limited in LED current due to thermal considerations. The firmware available from the Firmware Selector Tool does not limit the current as the default EVM firmware does.

I have built a fixed firmware image to replace that on the 230NPEVM product page, though I am not yet able to have this linked to the website. I have sent you a friend request to coordinate passing off this firmware to you.

Regards,

Austin

0 Tadek Kosmal over 2 years ago in reply to Austin Snyder

Prodigy 30 points

Awesome! I accepted.

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DLPDLCR230NPEVM: "TI DLP" Splash Screen visible on startup, but no other projections/scripts work