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DLPLCR65NEVM: DLPLCR65NEVM board appears faulty (D2 Red LED stays on) - Confirmation and Successor Query (1950nm)

Tani Seitaro
Prodigy 10 points
Part Number: DLPLCR65NEVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLPLCRC410EVM, , DLP650LNIR

Hello TI Support Team,

I am writing to request assistance regarding an issue with my DLP Discovery 4100 evaluation platform.

Hardware:

  • Controller Board: DLPLCRC410EVM

  • DMD Board: DLPLCR65NEVM (DLP650LNIR)

  • Software: DLP Discovery 4100 Explorer

The Problem: When I connect the DLPLCR65NEVM (DMD board) to the DLPLCRC410EVM (controller) via the flex cable and turn on the power (SW4), the D2 LED on the controller stays solid red . The board fails to boot. When in this state, the "DLP Discovery 4100 Explorer" software on the PC does not recognize the board and instead shows a "Select FPGA Code File" window.

 

Troubleshooting Steps Performed: I have performed the following isolation tests:

  1. Controller-Only Test: When I disconnect the DLPLCR65NEVM (DMD board) and power on the controller board by itself, it boots correctly. The D16 and D17 (green) LEDs light up as expected.

  2. Flex Cable Swap: I replaced the flex cable with a known-good spare. The issue persists: connecting the DMD board still results in the D2 red light.

  3. Reconnect Test: Reseating the cable and DMD board does not fix the issue; the D2 red light remains.

Conclusion: Based on these tests, I am confident that the controller board (DLPLCRC410EVM) and the flex cable are both working correctly. The fault appears to be isolated to the DMD board (DLPLCR65NEVM) itself.

(Additional context: I had previously applied insulating tape to the DMD board for an experiment. I suspect the board may have been damaged by an ESD event during this process .)

 

My Questions:

  1. Fault Confirmation: Does this symptom (Controller boots fine solo, but shows D2 Red LED when this DMD board is connected) definitively confirm a hardware fault in the DLPLCR65NEVM board, likely requiring replacement?

  2. Successor / Alternative Inquiry: My research requires operation at a 1950nm wavelength. According to the user guide (DLPU040C), the DLP650LNIR (on the DLPLCR65NEVM) is the only compatible DMD for the Discovery 4100 platform that supports the NIR range (850nm-2000nm). If I need to replace this board, is the DLPLCR65NEVM still the correct and current model to purchase? Or, does TI now offer a successor or alternative model that is compatible with the DLPLCRC410EVM controller and supports the 1950nm wavelength?

Thank you for your assistance.

  • 0
    TI__Genius 12835 points

    Hello Tani,

    I have assigned this to one of our TI E2E experts for this system.

    Please note that they are Out of Office today and will respond shortly after they return next week!

    Thank you for your patience!

    Aaron

  • 0
    TI__Intellectual 2360 points

    Good afternoon Tani,

    Have you successfully programmed the firmware files (.mcs, .bit, and .hex) into the FPGA? This LED indicates that the APPS_FPGA is not configured. There are two PROMs on the board, the one left of the two FPGAs is the one for the controller. The APPS_FPGA PROM needs to be programmed with the APPS_FPGA firmware. and this requires a Xilinx platform cable, Impact version 14.1, and the APPS_FPGA firmware.

    Regarding compatibility, the DLPLCR65NEVM (DLP650LNIR) is the only DMD board supported on the Discovery 4100 platform that covers the intended NIR wavelength range (850nm-2000nm); thee is no successor or alternative DMD that can be used with this controller that is within the NIR wavelength range. 

    Additionally, can you please send a front POV picture of your DLPLCRC410EVM board? 

    Regards, 

    Tristan Bottone

  • 0
    Prodigy 10 points

    Update: Controller hardware fault confirmed with NEW DMD (Reply to Nov 26)

    Dear Tristan,

    I realized my previous reply via email on November 26th might not have reached you because of the "noreply" address. I am reposting my response here, along with a critical new update.

    1. Response to your previous questions (from my missed reply):

    • FPGA Programming: I do not have the experience or the necessary tools (Xilinx platform cable, Impact software) to reprogram the FPGA as you suggested.

    • Original Symptom: The Controller Board (DLPLCRC410EVM) boots normally (Green LEDs) only when the DMD is disconnected. It fails to Red (D2) immediately when connected.

    2. CRITICAL UPDATE (New Hardware Test Results): To isolate the issue, I purchased a brand new DMD board (DLPLCR65NEVM) and tested it today using the new flex cable.

    • Observation: When I power on the Controller with the NEW DMD connected, the status LED turns Green (D16) for a split second, but then immediately triggers a fault and switches back to Solid Red (D2).

    • Conclusion: Since this failure persists even with a brand new DMD, I am now convinced that the Controller Board (DLPLCRC410EVM) itself has a hardware failure (likely a short circuit or damage to the power driver circuit caused by the initial incident).

    Next Steps: Given that the Controller Board appears to be physically damaged:

    1. Does TI offer any repair service for the DLPLCRC410EVM?

    2. If not, is purchasing a new Controller Board the only solution?

    I have attached the photo of the board as requested.

    (I tried to attach the photo of the board, but I received an upload error. I will try to send it again later.)

    Best regards,

    Seitaro Tani