TIDEP-01017: MMWCAS-DSP-EVM unresponsive after connecting to MMWCAS-RF-EVM with AWR2243 chips

Hi,

I will check with the team & get back

Thanks

Gaviraju

Please refer to the below thread regarding AWR2243 support.

https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors/f/1023/p/882929/3273642#3273642

Thanks Gaviraju and Liu. I think my problem is more fundamental since I cannot even access the shell through the serial connection. I am guessing the board was damaged in shipping.

Unfortunately this procedure does not address the issue of not being able to communiocate with the board and all but 1 LED remaining off. I think the next step is to return the MMWCAS-DSP-EVM & MMWCAS-RF-EVM boards I have and get them replaced. If possible I would like to get a MMWCAS-RF-EVM with 1243 chips so I do not have to go through the extra procedure of modifying software and using different firmware.

Does this sound reasonable? Thanks.

Hello Thomas,

It is very unlikely that a damaged board is shipped as we verify each board to be working before it leaves TI premises.

Booting of MMWCAS-DSP-EVM is independent of type of MMWCAS-RF-EVM board connected to it.

Could you try connecting MMWCAS-RF-EVM with other working MMWCAS-DSP-EVM board and check if it booting. or use a working SD-card with this DSP EVM.

And try to check the deep switch status on the MMWCAS-DSP-EVM as it may affect the bootup from sd-card.

Regards,

Jitendra

The deep switch is S4 correct? It is set to Off-Off-Off-Off-On-On for bits 1-6. This is identical to the other MMWCAS-DSP-EVM that correctly boots from the SD card. I removed the working SD card from the functioning MMWCAS-DSP-EVM and placed it in the non-functioning MMWCAS-DSP-EVM and got the same results, so I know the SD card is valid.

I have tried booting the MMWCAS-DSP-EVM without any MMWCAS-RF-EVM connected and got the same behaviour (only the extremely bright green LED comes on which appears to be driven directly from the external power source). The 3 & 5 V power good LED does not come on so I am not sure how you expect the rest of the board to work. 

Maybe the board worked when you tested it, but it got damaged either in packaging or transport? 

Here is a picture of the bottom of the failing DSP board. Notice that only the extremely bright green LED is illuminated. The 3 & 5 volt power good LED directly above my thumb is not illuminated so it feels as if a voltage regulator providing the voltages for the rest of the board is not working. I am not actually touching the board with my thumb, I am wearing a ground strap, and this is on a grounded ESD mat. We have tried to follow all the correct ESD precautions when handling this board so I am not sure how something would have gotten damaged unless it was is in preparing to ship or the actual shipment. 

Thomas,

Please refer to this other E2E post that had a similar issue and I provided a few areas to check for due diligence.

https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors/f/1023/p/882751/3283512#3283512

These EVM's go through testing before being shipped to ensure they power up, boot, etc. But sometimes a solder joint could come loose that prevents power up and can easily be solved.

If that does not solve the issue then we can get a return process started.

Thanks,

Alec

Hi Alec,
Thanks for providing this link. I followed the instructions in this link and also the other link within that post. The SMD components appear to be soldered correctly after inspection under the microscope. The input barrel-jack connector also appears to be soldered correctly. The 12V & 3.3V volt test points measure correctly but the 5V test point only measures at about 1.4V.
Is there any thing else I can check for debug purposes?
Thanks,
Tom

Hello Alec,

I was wondering what the next step is?

Thanks,

Tom

Thanks, I just created case CS0188317.

The replacement board is also bad. TI is 1/3 for boards now. Same failure symptoms; 5V power pins reading at 1.4V, only 1 LED is illuminated. Pretty sure someone is not testing the boards before shipment.