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why does the BS2p40 not work? — Parallax Forums

why does the BS2p40 not work?

Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
edited 2014-08-14 21:51 in General Discussion
Hello,
I have used the BS2 IC in past projects and it has turned out to be reliable and easy to use, i recently purchased THREE BS2p40 (@ $90 bucks a pop) for an application requiring more IO pins. unfortunately, i can not get any of them to be identified in the basic stamp editor software. I am using the professional development board pn# 28138 and expect these things to work. is this a design flaw in the chip? is there a work around? it seems like parallax is awfully quiet on this subject. has any one experienced this issue?
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Comments

  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-08-14 08:56
    Hey Josh, welcome to the forums, good to have you aboard. A little more background info will help. Is your PDB verified working with a BS2? I'd suggest plugging in a BS2 to make sure that gets ID'ed properly then remove it and try the BS2P40 again.
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2014-08-14 08:57
    How can you say Parallax is being quiet on the subject? You just posted about the issue. I've used the BS2p40 modules and also OEM chips and they work just fine. If none of them are working then something is likely wrong with your setup or your connection to them. It is unlikely that all three are bad but if there is an issue then Parallax should replace them. There support has been excellent so far. Have you tried calling them?

    To help troubleshoot the issue it would help to answer some questions:

    - Are you running the latest BASIC Stamp editor/tools?

    - What type of system are you running and what OS version?

    - Does your system have a real serial port or are you using a USB/Serial adapter?

    - What kid of carrier board do you have holding the BS2p40 module? Is it on a breadboard?

    - What are you powering the module with? Any pictures of your setup?

    It can certainly be frustrating when things don't work but I'm sure that if you post some details on what you have and walk through each step it shouldn't be too hard to correct the issue.

    Robert
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 08:57
    Josh14145 wrote: »
    Hello,
    I have used the BS2 IC in past projects and it has turned out to be reliable and easy to use, i recently purchased THREE BS2p40 (@ $90 bucks a pop) for an application requiring more IO pins. unfortunately, i can not get any of them to be identified in the basic stamp editor software. I am using the professional development board pn# 28138 and expect these things to work. is this a design flaw in the chip?
    this is a POS

    Does a BS2 properly identify on the same board? Are you observing the Pin 1 orientation? (Just checking). What power supply are you using? BS2P40 draw a little more power.

    is there a work around? it seems like parallax is awfully quiet on this subject. has any one experienced this issue?

    Quiet on a subject that has not come up before?

    EDIT Everyone types faster than me!
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 08:59
    BTW Welcome to the forums! Hope we can get the straightened out.
  • Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
    edited 2014-08-14 09:09
    Hi Max,
    the PDB does indeed work with the BS2 IC, i have 3 BS2p40, and 3 BS2p24 that DO NOT work on the PDB. we have tried different serial to USB converters, and to no avail. in the editor software i do get an echo status of "yes" and a loopback status of "yes" but it does not identify the chip. i have removed and installed the chip multiple times for the BS2, the BS2 works EVERY time.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 09:11
    Picture of your setup with the BS2p40?
  • Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
    edited 2014-08-14 09:12
    yes, BS2 is properly identified, BS2p24 & BS2p40 do not identify. PS is not the issue, 600mA DC to the PDB
    also, this issue HAS come up before, i did a bit of research on the web and many people have seen this issue.
  • Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
    edited 2014-08-14 09:15
    simple set up, PDB Parallax pn#28138, BS2p40 chip installed (correctly), 12vdc wall wart @ 600mA. standard, off-the-shelf serial cable, moxa serial-to-USB converter, STAMP editor SW v2.5.3. thats it.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 09:16
    Then I would suggest you call tech support:

    Urgent inquries call:
    • Phone: 916-624-8333
    • Toll-Free: 888 99-STAMP (888-997-8267)For callers in the USA only.
  • Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
    edited 2014-08-14 09:19
    1. yes v2.5.3
    2. windows 7 64 bit
    3.no "real" serial port. i have used multiple serial-to-USB adapters
    4. using the Professional Development Board parallax pn# 28138
    5. 12vdc 600mA wall wart supply to the carrier board

    thanks
  • Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
    edited 2014-08-14 09:20
    done that. left messages.. no call back.
    i have gotten a hold of two people that have taken my information and said they will call back.... they have not.
    i have described my issue and they said they have never heard of this before.
  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,566
    edited 2014-08-14 09:45
    To be fair Josh, I took one of your calls this morning and forwarded your information along to Ken Gracey and Jeff Martin. Jeff is looking into your situation and will most definitely get back to you with results.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 09:55
    Josh14145 wrote: »
    1. yes v2.5.3
    2. windows 7 64 bit
    3.no "real" serial port. i have used multiple serial-to-USB adapters
    4. using the Professional Development Board parallax pn# 28138
    5. 12vdc 600mA wall wart supply to the carrier board

    thanks

    Do you have a :

    http://www.parallax.com/product/28030

    USB-Serial Converter?

    It may be an issue with the faster Processors. Parallax products always work with the FTDI products.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 09:57
    Josh14145 wrote: »
    simple set up, PDB Parallax pn#28138, BS2p40 chip installed (correctly), 12vdc wall wart @ 600mA. standard, off-the-shelf serial cable, moxa serial-to-USB converter, STAMP editor SW v2.5.3. thats it.

    moxa serial-to-USB converter, See my last post. Only FTDI are guaranteed to work.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 10:01
    Josh14145 wrote: »
    yes, BS2 is properly identified, BS2p24 & BS2p40 do not identify. PS is not the issue, 600mA DC to the PDB
    also, this issue HAS come up before, i did a bit of research on the web and many people have seen this issue.

    Could you give a link? Maybe it has a resolution buried in there.
  • Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
    edited 2014-08-14 10:10
    i do not have the Parallax converter. right now i am trying to collect every seril-USB converter in the building to try and see if that is the issue. i typically use the Moxa UPort 1150. never had problems with that
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 10:12
    Josh14145 wrote: »
    i do not have the Parallax converter. right now i am trying to collect every seril-USB converter in the building to try and see if that is the issue. i typically use the Moxa UPort 1150. never had problems with that

    OK Josh. Just trying to help.
  • Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
    edited 2014-08-14 10:17
    thanks. i appreciate it
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2014-08-14 10:32
    I looked up that MOXA USB/serial adapter and although it looks like a nice unit they don't specify what USB/Serial chipset is used inside. As others have mentioned adapters based on the FTDI chipset seem to work best. I have had the best luck with those myself. The other brand chipsets seem to be ok for general serial communication but may not be able to have the required timing for some of the control lines.

    There are a few different chipsets used to convert the USB to a serial port. Common ones are FTDI, Silicon labs, and Prolifix. I tend to use adapters based on the FTDI chipset and have the best luck with those. When you plug one of these adapters into your computer it will show up as a COM port and act like the old built-in COM ports. The new COM port that would be higher than any of the #’s you had before. If that isn’t happening then it isn’t being recognized by your computer. Either the driver isn’t installed, there is an issue with the USB port on your system, or the cable is defective. I think some newer systems come with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports and I as I recall the USB 3.0 ports were supposed to have a blue connector. If it is in the USB 3.0 port then I would try plugging into a USB 2.0 port.
  • GenetixGenetix Posts: 1,754
    edited 2014-08-14 10:34
    Josh, the BS2-series have very strict timing requirements for programming so a lot of people have issues when they use a non-Parallax serial-to-USB adapter. As mentioned before the Parallax adapters use FTDI chips. Is there a computer with serial ports?
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2014-08-14 10:52
    Just to be sure there isn't an odd power issue can you check the voltages on pin 40 (VIN) and also on pin 37 (VDD) You should be seeing 5V on VDD and something higher on VIN. If not then that power adapter may not be putting out what it should.
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,664
    edited 2014-08-14 11:27
    Um, if this is the PDB that I am familiar with, it has an FTDI USB port right next to the DB9 serial port. Is that what you have? If so, try it. You'll need the FTDI drivers, but those are usually installed automatically along with the Stamp IDE.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-08-14 11:33
    If one uses Linux, they can easily confirm a USB to Serial converter expects a certain kind of driver software such as FTDI or other.

    I believe it is the 'lsusb' command. You have several command line options that will provide extra details.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 11:58
    Loopy Byteloose wrote: »
    If one uses Linux, they can easily confirm a USB to Serial converter expects a certain kind of driver software such as FTDI or other.

    I believe it is the 'lsusb' command. You have several command line options that will provide extra details.

    The environment is windows 7 64 bit. He is not using FTDI. The Parallax PDB expects FDTI for the higher clocked processors.
  • Josh14145Josh14145 Posts: 9
    edited 2014-08-14 12:25
    Hello everyone, first off, i want to thank you all for the help and putting your heads together to get me through this. the issue has been resolved.
    i was using a 12vdc wall wart that supplied 600mA. this evidently was not enough. in disbelief i was reluctant to try another one considering the avg power draw was at ~100mA for the whole system ie DEV board and BS2p40.
    we wired the thing directly to a bench supply and blew open the current limit to 6I @12vdc......hesitant at first...
    ....but this this worked.
    just a heads up if anyone uses a wall wart to power up.
    thanks again everyone. i nearly soiled myself since i built an elaborate PCB to accommodate this chip.
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2014-08-14 12:31
    Josh14145 wrote: »
    i nearly soiled myself ...

    "Nearly"? Really?

    Pretty quick with the "POS" and the insinuations.
    You must be a joy to work with. First - Panic!
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-08-14 12:36
    At some point the built in FTDI USB connection was removed from the PDB, Revision C maybe. I have a Rev B that has the FTDI chip, but it was gone on the most recent version I actually looked at.


    Tracy Allen wrote: »
    Um, if this is the PDB that I am familiar with, it has an FTDI USB port right next to the DB9 serial port. Is that what you have? If so, try it. You'll need the FTDI drivers, but those are usually installed automatically along with the Stamp IDE.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 13:00
    RDL2004 wrote: »
    At some point the built in FTDI USB connection was removed from the PDB, Revision C maybe. I have a Rev B that has the FTDI chip, but it was gone on the most recent version I actually looked at.

    Rick,

    The BS2 Professional Development Board never had a USB Port for programming. It did have a Max232E available at an auxiliary port.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-08-14 13:01
    Josh14145 wrote: »
    Hello everyone, first off, i want to thank you all for the help and putting your heads together to get me through this. the issue has been resolved.
    i was using a 12vdc wall wart that supplied 600mA. this evidently was not enough. in disbelief i was reluctant to try another one considering the avg power draw was at ~100mA for the whole system ie DEV board and BS2p40.
    we wired the thing directly to a bench supply and blew open the current limit to 6I @12vdc......hesitant at first...
    ....but this this worked.
    just a heads up if anyone uses a wall wart to power up.
    thanks again everyone. i nearly soiled myself since i built an elaborate PCB to accommodate this chip.

    Glad you got it worked out!
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,664
    edited 2014-08-14 13:35
    never?
    PDB2005.jpg

    That is a 2005 version Stamp PDB. It programs quite nicely via USB. I wonder why Parallax took it off in later revisions.

    Josh, I have to wonder about the 12V, 600mA wall wart. I'd have to guess that it was defective, or something else is going that spoiled the power supply.
    PDB2005.jpg
    432 x 214 - 45K
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