DLPLCR9000EVM: DMD board power errors

Kevin Freedman

Prodigy 180 points

Part Number: DLPLCR9000EVM

Hello,

I believe there is an error in my DMD board.

In the lightcrafter GUI, I get a DMD incompatible error. I searched the E2E threads and it seems to be a common error.

I check the testpoint voltages and compared the following:

Voltage	Nominal Value	TestPoint
VCC	3.3V	J3.1
VCCI	3.3V	J3.1
VOFFSET	8.5V	TP4
VBIAS	16V	TP6
VRESET	-10V	TP5

Here are my values:

J3.1: 3.3V

TP4: 3.1V (should be 8.5V)

TP6: 330mV (should be 16V

TP5: 360 mV (should be -10V)

Note that this was not done with "J1" shorted which might be needed to enable U1. I could not find a way to short J1.

From previous threads, if TP4, 5, and 6 are off, the culprit could be L1 or U1.

If this is the case, Can you suggest a part number for L1? All I could find was that the resistance should be like 220 Ohms at 100MHz. Any suggestions on specific replacements?

Thanks!

Kevin

over 3 years ago

0 Kevin Freedman over 3 years ago

Prodigy 180 points

Follow Up: I believe a 0.35 uH inductor will produce the 220 Ohm reactance @ 100MHz. However I am hoping to get some advice on whether this is worth swapping out based on the test point voltages? Although not a perfect test, an ohmmeter was used on L1, and the resistance was 1.6 Ohms which doesn't really indicate a short or bad inductor.

0 Fizix over 3 years ago in reply to Kevin Freedman

TI__Mastermind 43165 points

Hello Kevin,

Before we get too far, can you tell us if the EVM previously worked and if it did, what was happening just before this happened?

Fizix

0 Kevin Freedman over 3 years ago in reply to Fizix

Prodigy 180 points

Hi Fizix,

No, it has not worked. Occasionally I got it to semi-work. Semi-work meaning that the error went away in the GUI and I could load images. However a portion of the DMD rows and/or columns did not work. Ive been trouble shooting it for a while and have been given advice to change the flex cables, and the DMD chip. I did both and it did not change anything.

Strangely, the few times that the DMD did semi-work, I over-tightened the DMD chip screws (beyond my better judgement). The fact that the DMD did turn on (as early as 1 day ago) and display the default images, does not make sense with the testpoint voltages I notated. Unless the U1 chip is simply "on the fritz" and works occasionally.

Best,

Kevin

0 Fizix over 3 years ago in reply to Kevin Freedman

TI__Mastermind 43165 points

Hello Kevin,

When did you get the kit?

I would like you to try reloading the firmware using the boot hold jumper. Please see the following post for instructions on how to do it:

https://e2e.ti.com/support/dlp/f/94/p/874525/3235758?tisearch=e2e-sitesearch&keymatch=DLP6500%252520boot%252520hold#

The instructions are in my first response to Sato-san.

If that does not work, please report back here.

Fizix

0 Kevin Freedman over 3 years ago in reply to Fizix

Prodigy 180 points

Hi Fizix,

Yes I did this. It did not work.

Best

0 Fizix over 3 years ago in reply to Kevin Freedman

TI__Mastermind 43165 points

Kevin,

At this point you should start an RMA provided you bought the EVM in last three months.

FIzix

0 Kevin Freedman over 3 years ago in reply to Fizix

Prodigy 180 points

HI Fizix,

Unfortunately, It has been past 3 months. Does that mean its not fixable?

Best,

0 Fizix over 3 years ago in reply to Kevin Freedman

TI__Mastermind 43165 points

Kevin,

How far over 3 months?

This does not mean it is irreparable, just that it cannot be returned for a replacement. Is this the only EVM that you have?

Fizix

0 Kevin Freedman over 3 years ago in reply to Fizix

Prodigy 180 points

Fizix,

Over a year ago for sure. Under two years though.

Nope, no other EVMs.

Best,

0 Fizix over 3 years ago in reply to Kevin Freedman

TI__Mastermind 43165 points

Hello Kevin,

If it had only been a week or so, we might have been able to get it through.

Before we get much further, could you remove the DMD from the socket and start the kit up. If it starts, but says the DMD is not recognized or present, then very likely the DMD is damaged. On rare occasions, if you handle the board while it is operating it can damage the DMD. We have not been able to identify the cause and recommend that the controller board not be handled while the board is on.

If it shows that the controller is connected with the DMD removed, then you could try ordering just a DMD. Our experience is that when this happens the Controller Board and DMD board are not discernibly damaged.

I would contact companies on our Design Partner list to see if they do repairs.

Start on this page --> http://www.ti.com/dlp-chip/advanced-light-control/optics-electronics/optics-electronics.html

Fizix

0 Kevin Freedman over 3 years ago in reply to Fizix

Prodigy 180 points

Hi Fizix,

I am a little confused, it seems like both test results lead to the same conclusion: it is the DMD chip and not the boards. Is that right? I have tried two DMDs already and both did not work.

Best,

0 Fizix over 3 years ago in reply to Kevin Freedman

TI__Mastermind 43165 points

Kevin,

I missed that you had tried a different DMD already. That suggested as you indicated that the board is having an issue.

You may want to contact some of the Design Partners on the page I linked. Check with Dli to see if they do testing and repair.

Fizix

DLP®︎ products

DLP products forum

DLPLCR9000EVM: DMD board power errors