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Mysterious reset error on the Propeller! — Parallax Forums

Mysterious reset error on the Propeller!

MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
edited 2009-10-12 11:15 in Propeller 1
In my current project there are 2 Propellers that are hooked together. There is 2 serial lines between them and the power is shared. They are Parallax USB Protoboards and they are running software that writes to EEPROM, compiles writing, takes keyboard input, etc. The keyboard is also shared because the data and clock lines are connected to pins on both boards. The power source is a parallax 750mA power converter. For some reason, after much successful programming, I programmed the other propeller for communication for it had been just sitting though connected for all of the other experiments. Then for some reason the Propeller started resetting about every 7 seconds. I then gave the second Propeller it's own power source and even plugged it into·a seperate outlet and it still resets! If I disconnect the serial lines so that THERE IS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THEM THEY STILL RESET! The ONLY CONNECTION STILL BETWEEN THEM is an INDIRECT connection of the tv port and the keyboard, which are shared. The thing is that if I turn the one (unprogrammed one)·of them off the other STILL RESETS!! Then it will stop and not reset for a long time, and I think that it is over, and then for some strange reason IT STARTS AGIAN!!!! I CANNOT figure out what it is that is causing it, for there seems to be no connection between when it does it and when it does not. I even wiped the first ones EEPROM with a fake program and the problem still persists!! There is no code that causes it to reset, so I don't know what it could be. PLEASE HELP!!!

··· -- Micro

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Robots are microcontrolled.
I am microcontrolled.

But you·can·call me micro.

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Comments

  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-10-12 00:35
    As a regular you should know to post code and diagrams etc otherwise we can play guessing games all day long (if we had the time and inclination). How do you know that there is no code that does this? Have you tried just loading a very simple program that displays the number of resets and nothing else? Also, you can rule out the reset line being glitched if you disconnect it or at least put a small 0.1uF cap across it to ground.

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    *Peter*
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,864
    edited 2009-10-12 00:38
    I'd guess it's the 5V line you're maybe sharing through the shared keyboard... Perhaps that's powering up the FTDI chip, somehow leading to a reset...

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-10-12 00:39
    I DO know to post code, exept that my cod is for the design contest and is therefore confidintial. Anyone who wants it if he is a trusted member I will PM them my code so that they can help me. Thanks.

    Oh, and the power to the keyboard is not shared. Just the clock and data lines.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·


  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-10-12 00:44
    Well if it's for the competition then please post it, I won't tell smile.gif

    No DON'T post this code, just try a simple program though and rule out software as a cause.

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    *Peter*
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-10-12 00:45
    Thanks! I'll go do that!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·


  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-10-12 00:50
    Once agian, it's like there was no problem at all! The original software booted just fine since I tested it before running a test program. Here soon, it will most likely start error-ing again.....

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·


  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-10-12 00:52
    Oh, if you want to track the number of resets it is not quite so straightforward on the prop as each reset overwrites everything in RAM but you could use an EEPROM object to backup the reset counter. So your code would be nothing more than increment the reset counter variable each startup and display this in the simplest way depending upon your hardware. This might mean flashing an led or transmitting serially or displaying on an LCD, but whichever way you do it keep it simple.


    P.S. You need to keep this code simple to rule out as I said that it is a software issue. If it still resets then disconnect the reset line to see if it's coming from that source. The only other source really is the supply.

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    *Peter*
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,864
    edited 2009-10-12 00:52
    I think the clock and data lines are pulled up to 5V with some resistors... Maybe that is trickle charging the other board until it does something wrong...

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-10-12 01:10
    This is probably another manifestation of the FTDI reset bug, which was posted about again today:

    ····http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=847290

    The reason it's just now showing up for you is that you've got two USB protoboards, only one of which is connected to the PC at a time, right? A simple test is this: get a second USB cable, connect both boards to the PC at once, and see if it goes away. If so, visit the other thread and its links for a description of the issue and a solution.

    -Phil
  • photomankcphotomankc Posts: 943
    edited 2009-10-12 06:15
    Every time I have had reset woes it has been due to the PropPlug. Do you have a plug installed without it being connected to the PC on either board?
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-10-12 11:15
    I think that my error is when I plug the USB into the second prop's board. That is why it didn't show up until I started experimenting with the second prop.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·


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