No waterfalls, only blank window

[Ameer Khan]

Hello friends

I have homebrewed a new Radioberry hat  v2 beta 5, with 10CL016, for using with Raspberry Pi 4 4gb version.

All installation went well. But I am getting only a blank window instead of water falls. The screen shot for Rx is attached. Similar is for TX also.

In this connection I wish to add

1. Gateware successfully loaded and activated.

2. All buttons and functions are ok.

3. When program starts it is starting with RX mode

4. Local audio has been selected in Rx menu.

5. Checked with and without antenna, no difference.

6. FPGA and ADC getting warm.

I shall be thankful for any guidance from you for solution to this issue.

Thank you

73

Ameer Khan VU3SQM 

[pa3gsb]

Ameer,

Nice you did your own build

The firmware reads 0.0 gateware. 

Your gateware is not loaded or you using gpio option for pihpsdr.

Hope this helps

73 Johan

PA3GSB

Op donderdag 2 november 2023 om 12:14:19 UTC+1 schreef vu3...@gmail.com:

[pa3gsb]

https://github.com/pa3gsb/Radioberry-2.x/wiki/Radioberry---Configurations

Op donderdag 2 november 2023 om 14:12:08 UTC+1 schreef pa3gsb:

[pa3gsb]

Ameer,

Please post your questions to the group not directly to me.

The FPGA is working in 2 modes:

- config mode; mode for loading the gateware; that can go ok (also without clock)

- running mode; mode when running the loaded program

The running mode needs the clock of the AD9866; you need to measure a clock on the output of the AD9866 or FPGA pin.

In your case the clock is not there; that is why you can load the gateware but your gateware program is not running because no clock 

It seems that you have to solder the backpane of the AD9866 or testing the input of the clock from the 38.4 Mhz  clock.

All these info could be found in this group / barried in the stack of messages.

Goodluck and have fun

73 Johan

PA3GSB

Op donderdag 2 november 2023 om 14:47:12 UTC+1 schreef pa3gsb:

[Ameer Khan]

Hello friends

My input frequency to ad9866 is 38.400 MHz (CLK) and CLKOUT1 from Pin 19 to FPGA is 24.800 MHz.

Is it ok.

If not what can be the reason for variance

Thank you

73

Ameer Khan VU3SQM 

[qrp73]

Hi guys, I got the same issue with black waterfall.

I see in the system log that firmware upload is success (10CL25).

But it shows gateware version 0-0. 

I read that there is possible issue with CLK on pin 53 and 69. I tested it with DMM, there is no short for GND or 3.3V, it is connected to pin 57 of AD9866 (CLKOUT1). I tested it with oscilloscope and there is no clock on pin 53 and 69 and no clock on pin 57 of AD9866. But I see 38.4 MHz clock from oscillator output on pin 57 of AD9866 (OSCIN).

So, I stuck and don't understand what is wrong. Could you please help?

It looks like AD9866 don't works, is it correct? What is the possible reason?

I suspect that there is possible no soldering on the pad under AD9866 and 10CL25, because I don't see any sign of solder in the large through hole...

I bought radioberry from this seller: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006404171463.html

[Wim PE1PWR]

Hi Ameer

Same problem here with the same seller.

I have lucky 3 radioBerrys. I have buy also the juice. I have pay for a combi price for a juice card and radioBerry. The combination did not work. Lucky mij spare radioBerry was working. I get the same problem. CL025 is working fine. AD8266 not. I gif it a go to find out is my clock signals are oke. I let you now. Strange that there are more problems from this seller.

Kind regards

Wim

De PE1PWR

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Op 26 feb. 2024, om 21:35, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef:

[qrp73]

it seems that the seller sends devices with dead AD9866, both CLKOUT are always zero and no sign of life.

I found that oscillator has amplitude 1Vpp, not sure is it enough for AD9866 OSCIN?

Here is what is on AD9866 OSCIN pin:

[Wim PE1PWR]

1 volt is enough.

My working Radioberry is even lower and its works perfectly.

Try to soldering the pins and see if the output comes up.

Wim

PE1PWR

I will give it a go this evening of my card shows up.

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Op 27 feb. 2024, om 01:52, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef:

[qrp73]

nope, there is no output on pin 19 of AD9866 (CLKOUT1), it's just always zero. The same for pin 61 (CLKOUT2) - always zero.

The clock on pin 57 (CLKIN) is present, but there is no sign of life on AD9866 outputs.

During testing different pins I randomly catch the moment when rpi can read firmware version 73. When I put probe on pin 19 at that moment, I catch some random unstable pulses with frequency about 20 kHz. The receiver shows some strange noise with wideband peak at LO with very slow update, but attempt to change LO don't move that noise. After some time it stopped to work and I don't see pulses on pin 19 anymore. RPI cannot read gateware version again. I tried to check all pins to reproduce it with no result.

[qrp73]

Can someone share the picture from oscilloscope what should be present on pin 19 of AD9866 with 1:10 probe and DC coupling mode?

Just put the probe at capacitor pin from AD9866 side...

I'm suspect that there is some strange bias behavior at that pin on my radioberry board. I want to check it.

[Wim PE1PWR]

I will show some pictures here from my working Radioberry this evening.

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Op 27 feb. 2024, om 10:40, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef:

[Wim PE1PWR]

My Radioberry is now working gladly. 

I put some pressure on the AD8266 and see that the chip was starting.

Bad solder is in my case the main reason. I have fill the empty whole on the back side of the chip and gives some massive pressure. Enough to overcome the bad solder. 

And see the chips comes alive in my case. Hopes that for you all facing the same problem. To clear this is simple.

Wim

PE1PWR

Op dinsdag 27 februari 2024 om 12:02:42 UTC+1 schreef Wim PE1PWR:

[qrp73]

looks like my radioberry has the same issue with bad soldering. I give massive pressure on the chip and the chip was started and detected as version 73.3. But it needs really high pressure.

So, it needs to be resoldered, but its not so easy because its very small, has a pad on the bottom and there are a lot of other components around. Asked local service they said they can do it for price. So, I'm thinking about to do it in repair service.

[Wim PE1PWR]

Starting with the right solder flux.

The flux is preventing that some pins connecting each other. Put some flux on the pins and use a fine tip for soldering. It's easier than it looks like in the first way. I use also a lamp with a 5 x glass for better vision.

My Radioberry is working now. What you must do to learn it how to solder those little chips is starting to use old telefonie pcb. Try to de soldering a small chip and when its done try to soldering it back on the pcb. After some time you find out that it is not that difficult. Good luck M8. Let me now how things go.

Wim

PE1PWR 73s

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Op 2 mrt. 2024, om 00:07, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef:

[qrp73]

Currently I'm waiting for dispute result with my radioberry. I'm planning to repair it at local repair service. I need some info for testing it after repair. Could you please provide me with the following info:

1) what is the usual temperature of AD9866 and 10CL025 chips when it working at about 20°С environment and 45-50°C rpi4?

2) is there any software gateware to test that all data lines are soldered good?

3) any testing advice?

Best regards,

Alex

[Wim PE1PWR]

Hi Alex

I can tell you the 41 degrees for a AD9866 is normal. The CL025 is about 25 to 28. I am using a better cooling fan. My AD9866 is now 35 Degrees. Testing software I don't know. I use a scope for testing clock and voltage signals. And if waterfall is starting most things are alright.

Good luck

Wim

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Op 7 mrt. 2024, om 17:46, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef:

[qrp73]

41 degree for AD9866 is with heatsink and without active fan?

[Wim PE1PWR]

Yes Alex.

41 is with small heatsink. 66 degrees is max temp voor AD9866.

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Op 7 mrt. 2024, om 20:43, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef:

[qrp73]

Why 66°C? According to AD9866 datasheet, absolute maximum rating for environment is +85°C and max junction temperature is +125°C. 

Isn't it?

[qrp73]

I resoldered AD9866 at local repair service and it helps. Now AD9866 is starting and I can see waterfall and can receive signals.

I even tested TX and it also works.

But I notice that AD9866 chip is very heating now. With a small heatsink and no fan its temperature raising to 65°C.

Is it ok? Or I need to check something?

Best regards,

Alex

[Wim PE1PWR]

Hi Alex

Nice that they make it for you.

Try to use a bigger cooling with a fan. This wil temper the temperature.

In the picture you see my Radioberry with cooling fan. My temp is around 35 Degrees.

Wim

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Op 8 mrt. 2024, om 18:15, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef:

[qrp73]

I pressed the chip when installed heatsink and notice that there is some bad contact, because frequency is jumping... it appears that the chip is still bad soldered, after some playing with pressing on the chip, something going wrong again, now clock is present, but there is jerky sound and it appears that there is broken connection between fpga and ad9866, because it don't change signal on tuning. I tried to heat it with hot gun, and it is solved, but after some time disappears again. Needs to resolder it again :(

Previously the guy from repair service did not resoldered it from scratch, as I understand he just put solder flux and reflowed ad9866 pins. But it seems that this is not enough.

Any advice for resoldering procedure? so I can provide it to the guy at repair service.

I tried to find soldering application note mentioned in AD9866 datasheet, but it is not available now and I cannot find it on internet.

Any help on how to solder it properly? Especially I'm looking info on how to solder termal pad. Can it be done through hole in PCB or it needs to be soldered with pins?

Best regards,

Alex

[Wim PE1PWR]

Hi Alex.

Quick check.

Did they solder the backside of the chip to the pcb. This must be done. I have the same experience. Its stops when I am solder the whole on the backside. Also the same for the cl025.

Wim

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Op 9 mrt. 2024, om 06:00, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef:

[qrp73]

No, he didn't get off the chip from PCB, just resoldered it's pins, after that I tested it and since it started to work I get it as is.

It worked but heating very much, with no fan the heatsink temperature is 65°C.

Then I played with pressing it to check if there is some soldering issue and now some other pin has soldering issue.

I can see waterfall, but it is half speed and jerky sound, frequency tuning doesn't have effect.

When I heating it with heat gun it solves the issue, then when I pressing it again or when it heating it disconnected again.

Does it requires to get the chip off and resolder it from scratch?

Can it be done with putting some solder into the PCB hole on the back of the chip?

Best regards,

Alex

[Wim PE1PWR]

Yes Alex.

Put some pressure on the chip and solder the backside of the chip. The temp wil drop easier because the pcb wil temper the temperature. I have done this and my problem are solved. To resolder the chip is no option. You can damaged the four layer pcb. I have done this on one of my cards and destroy it. So let the chip stay in place. I told you that 66 degrees is the working temp. Everything is higher than 66 degrees will destroy the chip at the end. So take patiënt and try to solder backside with some pressure above. Take a fine solder tip and try to give some more solder on each pin. Again take the time to solf this problem.

Wim

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Op 9 mrt. 2024, om 06:34, qrp73 <qrp...@gmail.com> schreef: