Exp Board 2.0 serial communication problem

[szyba91]

Hello,

I have to FiPy modules with two Exp Boards 2.0. One of them (V.3.0r mark at the bootm) works fine but the second (v2.1) doesn't, i can't reach the arrows (>>>) and it stack during connection.
Just day before yesterday it was working. Also the update doesn't work. Its not FiPy isse because when put this to my first board I can update this , upload code etc. Also its visible for operating system. LINUX /dev/ttyUSB0 Windows 10 as COM 5. I've bought this in Farnell, should I return this ? or maybe its something with FTDI chip ? I remeber that few years ago when i was using Rs485-USB converter I had to install the update from FTDI side?

[robert-hh]

@szyba91 Actual it seems that you have two different boards. The one with a v2.1 marking is a Version 2 board, the one with the V3.0 marking is a Version 3 board. Both should work well with the REPL prompt. If the V2 board does not do that any mode, check the jumpers on the board. Sometimes they get loose.
Updating works different with the two board. The V3 board does not require any additional action. The V2 board requires to place a jumper between GND and P3 an dthen push reset.

[szyba91]

@robert-hh said in Exp Board 2.0 serial communication problem:

Yes I have to different boards version but there are both Board 2.0, one is older revision.
Excuse me I'm not familiar with notion "REPL promp" could you expalin ?
As for updating V2 board : P3 or P23 to GND ?
Does the different updates procedure is related with getting stack during connection ? Actually it is my main concern.

[robert-hh]

@szyba91 The REPL prompt is, what's showing the >>> lead-in.
REPL stands for: Read-Eval-Print-Loop

[szyba91]

Correction:
Now I've noticed that one of the boards is v3.0 my mistake. They are very similar. Its because I've ordered 2.0V and I've got 3.0V

[szyba91]

@robert-hh Now I'm able to update FiPy using 2.0 board- i forgot to unplug the usb cable after bridging P23 and GND.
But I'm still stuck during serial port connection in VS Code

[robert-hh]

@szyba91 Instead of re-plugging the USB cable, you can also push the reset button on the FiPy.
About VS-Code: Windows sometimes re-assigns the COM ports. Please check in the device manager the number of the COM port. But .... using the wrong port you would not have been able to update the FiPy.

[szyba91]

@robert-hh Exactlly, especially that I have the same issue alike Windows and Linux - the same.
One more think that can be usefull, I can upload the project, I can see result of my code using 2.0V board but i can reach the terminal commands.
Updating - works
Uploading - works
Operating system - recognize in both
Run button /(>>>) - only with 3.0V
2.0V worked just 2 days ago.
-strange

[robert-hh]

@szyba91 Dou you see the REPL prompt with simple terminal emulators like Putty on Windows or screen or picocom on Linux?
With Putty, set the flow control to None.

[szyba91]

@robert-hh I've check this and using 3.0V i can see REPL but with 2.0V - not. I've set boud rate 115200 in both chases.

[robert-hh]

@szyba91 That's strange, especially since you can still update devices using that board.

[szyba91]

@robert-hh Maybe I should contact with PyCom field support service ?

[robert-hh]

@szyba91 You may do so. But since you can still use the boad for upload, it is hardly an electronic problem. And I understand, that the same FiPy works with expansion board V3. Just to ask a silly questions: did you remove the GND/P23 jumper after upload?

[szyba91]

@robert-hh Yes, the both FiPys its self works with V3 board and sure - i removed jumper after updating

[dan]

Hi @szyba91,

Just to confirming, when you switch between the expansion boards, you change the address in VSCode, right? (you can check it in the pymakr.conf file or the plugin settings. All commands -> 'Pymakr > Project | Global Settings')
Can you share your VSCode's and Pymakr plugin's version number?

[szyba91]

@dan Yes, I've been changing serial port numbers.
I have:

FiPys firmware version1.18.0.r1
Visual Studio version 1.25.1
Atom version: 1.29.0
Pymakrs version 1.0.1
Jumpers : RTS and CTS are removed, rest of them is on its place
Windows 10 64bit
The same on
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

[szyba91]

@robert-hh Update : I've noticed something. When i was trying to upload this code
https://github.com/pycom/pycom-libraries/blob/master/examples/lopy-lopy/lopy-A/main.py

Just near to end I've got the masseage form terminal something like this :" Pybytes library: v0.9.0" and that it stacks. And after it I can't reach the COM anyway.
What is interesting - I've lost connection with v3 now, then I've try with v2 (i was sure that it also be unreachable beacuse I had a problem with it before) Just imagine how supprised I was when I saw REPL on this board!
Again - I trid to upload the same code on this board, and unfortunately after makaing the same it also stacks.

I'm very confused now. Does anyone knows what is happning with this modules?

[robert-hh]

@szyba91 Sorry I cannot tell you anything about working with VSC /Atom pymakr plugins or pybytes. I do not use these "tools". For uploading and file management on the devices I use ftp. The expansion boards, epscially V2.0, are dead simple devices. They should always work.

[szyba91]

Update : I just connect exp boards without FiPys. I was courious what will happend when i bridge TX i RX(physical pins 40 and 41) pin on board (should be an echo right?) and i've got echo. So boards it self works.
Now i'm connect the fipy via USB-UART concerter and I can't reach the REPL on both FiPys :( :(

[robert-hh]

@szyba91 The USB/UART bridge must be set to 3.3 V output. And sometimes TX/RX has to be swapped. Please not also that the typcial USB/UART switch cannot supply a FiPy. The simply deliver not enough power.