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BQ78PL114 EVM 0 cells found problem in bqWizard

Lindsay Allen
Prodigy 30 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: BQ78PL114, BQWIZARD, BQ78PL116

We have a BQ78PL114 EVM that was working fine (we had done some calibration, initial testing, etc. with resistors as simulated cells), but now whenever we connect to it through bqWizard, it finds 0 cells despite there being 8 simulated cells connected to the board. When the board initially connects, an error window opens that says something like: LAN is not built, expected number of cells is not equal to actual number of cells reported by hardware. We don't know, however, if bqWizard is expecting the wrong number of simulated cells or the hardware is reporting the wrong number. We have tried the following, with no success, to resolve this issue:

1) Re-started bqWizard and the EVM board

2) Giving bqWizard the command to Connect to Pack to force a new connection

3) Loading a pack configuration file that, although it doesn't have any of the right calibration, does at least have 8 cells

4) Checking the wiring between the board, simulated cells, power supply, laptop, GPIO to USB dongle, etc.

5) Checking that there is sufficient voltage (~3V) across each simulated cell, and that there is voltage on the bq board itself

We don't know if this an issue with configuration on bqWizard, hardware, or combination thereof. Any ideas? Thanks!

Lindsay

  • 0
    Prodigy 30 points

    I forgot to mention, but the board's LEDs do seem to go through their normal start-up pattern when the board is powered up.

  • 0 in reply to Lindsay Allen
    Prodigy 30 points

     

    I have the same problem, and I'm very interested in hearing the solution.

    Originally, the board would recognize all 8 "simulated" cells, but now it won't.  Sometimes it "sees" 3 cells, but mostly it sees none.  I've got 8 pcs of the 10 ohm 10 watt resistors connected as directed, and my power supply is 25.6v across the simulator resistors.  When  the EVM sees 3 cells, it reads voltages in the correct range (around 3.2v).  I also have 8 cells all charged and ready to connect for evaluation, but I'm not doing anything until this EVM can work properly in simulation mode and get calibrated.

     I have also tried:

    1.  Re-update firmware to version "5000"

    2.  Reload pack config/relearn

    3.  Safe disconnect and reconnect power

    4.  upgrade to Bq Wizard v3.0

    5. downgrade to Bq Wizard v2.5

     

    If the EVM is in some odd mode and needs to have its configuration restored to "factory defaults," can someone post how that might be done?

    It's rather disappointing, because the bq78PL114/bq78pl102 seem to be an intriguing solution to battery pack management, but not if I can't get it to work...

     

  • 0 in reply to Mark Jarvis
    Prodigy 30 points

     

    Has anyone else experienced (or preferably, *resolved*) such a problem with the BQ78PL114 EVM?

     

    Is this query posted to the correct forum?

    Thanks.

     

     

  • 0 in reply to Mark Jarvis
    Intellectual 365 points

    I've had this issue in production when the connection sequence to the cells is not correct, destroying the chip

     

    0 cells found = BMS dead. Usually you will find some voltage other than the expexcted 2.5V at the output of the LDOs.

     

  • 0 in reply to Mathieu Lafrance
    Prodigy 30 points

    The good news is that apparently, my hardware is undamaged.

     

    I found a problem, but the way some information is presented in the documentation is a bit confusing to me.  

     

    In SLUU336C, "bqWizard (TM) Application Software", section 1.5, "Startup" it says:

     

    "Depending on the firmware version installed in the PowerLAN(TM) master gateway controller, either three-series eight-series (sic) cells show.  Packs that are not configured in firmware for either of these quantities cause the bqWizard(TM) software to display "Zero Cells Found."

     

    When bringing up the bqWizard software on the bq78PL114EVM for the first time, there is a pop-up that appears warning that the board is loaded with version 4452 of the firmware, and that 5000 is the current version.  It then asks if you want to upgrade.  Well, don't do that just yet.  If you select "cancel" at this point (so you don't immediately upgrade the firmware) and let the system discover your simulated cells, it will find them.  

     

    If instead, you upgrade to 5000 at this point, it will default to 3 cells.  In my experience, attempting to load one of the supplied ".tmap" files for the desired cell configuration at this point will cause the system to become confused and thereafter show "0 cells found."  In the version of the bqWizard software that I have, there are ".tmap" files under 

     

    C:\Program Files\Texas Instruments\bqWizard 3\Configuration Files\bq78PL114\Tmap

     

    but not under 

     

    C:\Program Files\Texas Instruments\bqWizard 3\Configuration Files\bq78PL114S12\Tmap

     

    Note that under C:\Program Files\Texas Instruments\bqWizard 3\Configuration Files, there are 3 subdirectories:  bq78PL114, bq78PL114S12, bq78PL116.  I believe that when you upgrade the EVM to 5000, you then have the bq78PL114S12.  If I were to guess, trying to use ".tmap" files for version 4452 on a system running version 5000 will cause the dreaded "0 cells found."

    Once in the "0 cells found" state, I could find no way to "re-find" all 8 simulated cells.  The only way to get any cells back was to download the firmware to the 78PL114 device again.  If I re-downloaded s/w version 5000, I would get the "3 cells found" state.  After coming across statements about how version 4452 defaults to 8 cells, I went ahead and downgraded to that version.  Presto - "8 cells found."  I was then able to calibrate voltage, temp, and current on the board.  

     

    So now I'm back to all 8 cells with firmware version 4452, but I haven't upgraded back to version 5000.  What I'll try to do is first make sure all the settings for the myriad pack and cell parameters are correct for my pack using version 4452, then save every little little thing that I can under the bqWizard(TM) software.

     

    My next question is this:  It seems like the ".tmap" files for version 4452 and version 5000 may not be compatible.  Is this the case?  Forgive me if this is asked and answered, but if so, please tell me where.  I'll continue to research for how I might generate a basic ".tmap" file for my pack that will work with version 5000.

  • 0 in reply to Mark Jarvis
    Intellectual 365 points

    Star BqWizard, go in utilies \ Add-ons \ PackConfigurationUtility

     

    It's all there.

     

    No, FW 4452 and FW5000 has different .tmap

  • 0 in reply to Mathieu Lafrance
    Prodigy 150 points

    We are having the same problem"0 cells found" on  bq78pl116 EVM . we are also not able to change the firmware "6000" .Has anyone solved this problem?

    Sercan

  • 0 in reply to tuncayse
    TI__Intellectual 1505 points

    Hi Sercan,

    Please confirm if you are using the lastest version of the bqWizard.

    Ben

  • 0 in reply to Benjamin Sarpong
    Intellectual 385 points

     “Zero cells found” could also mean,

    –     One of the PowerLAN nodes is not working.

    –     The Expected Number of Cells does not equal Actual number found.

    Use iterative approach of loading .tmap files until you can no longer build a PowerLAN Network.  This will tell you where the faulty node is.

    You start with a 3s tmap. if it loads, then a 4s tmap. Move on to a 5s and so forth. If the 3s is unable to load, then you have an issue with the wil the PL116.