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Propeller first turn on problems — Parallax Forums

Propeller first turn on problems

stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
edited 2014-03-28 11:35 in Propeller 1
Hello,
I have got a P8X32A-D40 running on a simple stripboard set up to test some features using a AT24C512C for the EEPROM.
It programs and runs okay.
But when you first turn it on fresh power up and it loads the code from EEPROM it doesn't allways run the code and have to start it with a manual reset by pulling the reset low.

I have watched the reset line with a scope and its nice and steady on power up.

All I can find is that the data line too the EEPROM looks very spikey and no nice square data on and off bits like there is with the clock line but this maybe normal.. unsure. Also on the times it does not run the code the EEPROM data chatting is much shorter compared to when the code fires up.

Any ideas ?

The reset line runs into the collector of a BC337 NPN been pulled down via that for programing .

Cheers for your time.

Comments

  • stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
    edited 2014-03-27 10:55
    Photo attached of EEPROM clock and data.
    Note Clock 1v Data 500mv
    800 x 600 - 162K
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2014-03-27 11:03
    Hi stoveitin;

    Send us a picture of your setup.

    1. I suspect you don't have enough capacitance on the power buses.
    2. All VDD[\sub] and VCC[\sub] pins must be connected. On plugboards it is easy to add a pair of jumpers under the chip to cross couple the pairs of VDD[\sub] and VCC[\sub] pins.
    3. Make sure you have at least a 10K pullup on the SCL and SDA lines to the memory/
    4. Make sure the address and chip select pins are appropriately tied HI or LOW.

    Duane J
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2014-03-27 11:06
    Hi stoveitin;
    stoveitin wrote: »
    Photo attached of EEPROM clock and data.
    Note Clock 1v Data 500mv
    Sure looks like noise on the power buses due to insufficient capacitance.

    Duane J
  • stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
    edited 2014-03-27 11:31
    Ill try sort a picture out later. SCL and SDA have both got a 10k pull up. I have got a ceramic 0.1uf next too one pair of power lines on the microcontroller the other two on other side just powered from some mod wire crossing underneath.
    Incoming 5volts to ceramic 0.1uf cap into 3.3 volt reg then polarized 10uf cap.

    EEPROM has no cap next to it slaved a 0.1uf in few hours go next to it seemed to not effect it I could attach one properly if recommended.

    Cheers Tom.
  • stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
    edited 2014-03-27 11:34
    Also address EEPROM pins tied down none floating.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2014-03-27 12:16
    stovietin wrote:
    I have watched the reset line with a scope and its nice and steady on power up.
    Do you have nBOE tied low? If not, you should.

    -Phil
  • stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
    edited 2014-03-27 13:41
    yea that is tied too ground :)
  • stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
    edited 2014-03-27 13:54
    Attached photo..
    1024 x 579 - 76K
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-03-27 23:58
    I am presuming that is the regulator on the left. It needs decoupling at the pins (ie the next pair of holes). Look at the datasheet for the regulator you are using to find the recommended caps. Place a 0.1uF across the power pins of the eeprom because this is a long way from the power supply decoupling.

    The 0.1uF ceramic cap you are using is not the recommended one for decoupling - you need a monolithic X7R preferred. They are the colored variety (often blue).
    You could also try using a tantalum 10uF capacitor as well.

    Normally, none of the above would be absolutely necessary for just testing, but you have problems somewhere, and these are the things that can cause problems.

    The other area is your RS232 to TTL converter. Perhaps you could post a diagram of it and some pics too. Also post a pic of the underside of your pcb. The more info we have the more help we can offer.
  • stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
    edited 2014-03-28 03:11
    Moved to caps next to reg and added a 0.1uf ceramic cap next to the EEPROM and noise on the power lines look better but no difference.

    Found its something to do with the clock and crystal.

    when I probe the crystal it works every time and stops working soon as I don't probe it .

    Suspect the capacitance in the oscilloscope probe has something to do with it.

    How come this microcontroller needs no caps on the crystal guess there internal.
  • stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
    edited 2014-03-28 03:47
    Carried out a low ohm resistance measure from crystal to microcontroller and all seems good was at 0.04 ohms. Anyways removed the socket I had the crystal sitting in and soldered direct to the board and so far its starting first time every time .
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-03-28 03:57
    stoveitin wrote: »
    Carried out a low ohm resistance measure from crystal to microcontroller and all seems good was at 0.04 ohms. Anyways removed the socket I had the crystal sitting in and soldered direct to the board and so far its starting first time every time .
    Sounds like a bad socket.
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2014-03-28 08:13
    Hi Cluso;
    Cluso99 wrote: »
    Sounds like a bad socket.
    Not necessarily a bad socket.
    I have found the crystal in the metal can has fairly small lead diameter.
    I like to put a small "Crimp" in the crystal lead so the machined socket can effectively grip the lead.

    Duane J
  • stoveitinstoveitin Posts: 11
    edited 2014-03-28 11:35
    Cheers for the help and ideas.
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