MMWAVEICBOOST: Can't connect

Hardware Engineer

Part Number: MMWAVEICBOOST
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: IWR6843ISK, UNIFLASH

I can't connect MMWAVEICBOOST to my computer to flash my IWR6843ISK. I followed the setup described in the tutorial: https://training.ti.com/hardware-setup-mmwaveicboost-and-antenna-module

When I try to flash my radar via UniFlash, I get the message "Image loading failed: Not able to connect to serial port. Recheck COM port selected and/or permissions." (screen)

My SOP2 is ON (screen). I have checked my COM port (screen) in Device Manager. I have done nRESET before flashing. I checked all my switches and jumpers. I have tried different USB cables and different power supplies. I have tried several different computers. I also tried different IWR6843ISK modules. Nothing worked. What else can this be? Do I have a defective MMWAVEICBOOST?

over 3 years ago

0 Ishita Kochar over 3 years ago

TI__Mastermind 31680 points

Hello User,

Thankyou for letting us know your concern. As a first step, please take a look at our FAQ page for this. Here is the link : (15) [FAQ] mmWave Sensor- Uniflash related queries - Sensors forum - Sensors - TI E2E support forums

You could also look for some similar threads on the TI E2E forum (previously answered by our experts) by entering your query in E2E search bar or use your local site search engine to type "site e2e.ti.com <your query>"

Let us know if you're still not able to resolve your concern.

Regards,

Ishita

0 Hardware Engineer over 3 years ago in reply to Ishita Kochar

Prodigy 70 points

I tried what you suggested and it's still not working :(

0 Ishita Kochar over 3 years ago in reply to Hardware Engineer

TI__Mastermind 31680 points

Hello User,

Thankyou for letting us know the status. Have you made sure the COM port is free? Are you able to connect to the same COM port using any other serial application say for eg. teraterm. This will help us understand if this is a uniflash or hardware issue.

Sometimes due to abrupt closing of the Uniflash or due to any other error, background processes don't get closed and at the next run, Uniflash doesn't behave as expected. So kill DSLite.exe and FlashPythonSubprocess.exe process (if running) from Task Manager then start the Uniflash.

What is the version of uniflash you're using? Make sure it is the latest one. Running the Uniflash as admin also sometimes helps.

But since you mentioned that this has been tried on several other PCs as well, I suppose this is something to do with the ICEBOOST board.

Regards,

Ishita

0 Hardware Engineer over 3 years ago in reply to Ishita Kochar

Prodigy 70 points

I am running the latest Uniflash Version: 6.4.0. I don't think it's a COM issue - I have tried to flash MMWAVEICBOOST on 4 different computers and they all have the same error.

0 CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B. over 3 years ago in reply to Hardware Engineer

TI__Mastermind 25835 points

Hello,

Could you please show the switch settings of the MMWAVEICBOOST board and switch settings of the RF board?

Also for flashing the QSPI device you don't need MMWAVEICBOOST board you could do that standalone as shown in the below training video.

Have you tried that?

https://training.ti.com/hardware-setup-iwr6843isk-and-iwr6843isk-ods?context=1128486-1139154-1147567

Thanks and regards,

CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.

0 Hardware Engineer over 3 years ago in reply to CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.

Prodigy 70 points

Pictures of the switch settings are shown in my original post: IWR6843ISK switch (1 2 3 4 5 6 ) => (off off off off on off). MMWAVEICBOOST (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12) => (off on on on on on on off off on on on), (SOP0 SOP1 SOP2) => (short open short). I can flash the IWR6843ISK by itself but I cannot flash the radar through MMWAVEICBOOST.

0 CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B. over 3 years ago in reply to Hardware Engineer

TI__Mastermind 25835 points

Hello,

Thank you for sharing the switch position. Image in the above picture is not clear to identify Jumper/Switch position and LED status indications.

Hence requested you to post clearer image of the system under problematic condition.

Switch position seem to be all right for the flashing mode.

Please remove all the screws and try? What is the power adapter used and it's specification? Please note to kill all the applications (especially Uniflash tools, DSLite.exe and FlashPythonSubprocess.exe) for every unsuccessful flash attempt. Any UART port instance running in the background will block the UART connection for the fresh attempt.

For flashing and running out of box demo you could refer to below training video. Please note to apply manual reset button after the Power up in SOP for the flashing/functional modes to register boot mode configuration.

Hardware Setup for MMWAVEICBOOST and antenna module | TI.com Video

Thanks and regards,

CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.