SB70 Ethernet lights blinking in sync; Suspect error

[davidicus]

Two questions:

Are the NBurn samples your talking about available on Netburner's web site?

How do I get the code on the module?

[rnixon]

If it is a pink, then my comments do not apply. I had read your email as if you had written your own program and downloaded it to the netburner module. If it is a PINK, and you didn't write your own app, then it would not be a coding problem. My guess is a power supply problem, even though you had commented that this was not an issue. I don't think the parallax application would be trapping or crashing.

[davidicus]

I just double-checked the power supply: 5.0 Volts, and the PINK is drawing 200mA.

Is there a way to reset it (apart from cycling the power)?

[Ridgeglider]

I don't think the code is on the web. It is distributed with most NB systems when purchased. Instructions for download are included. Sounds like it may be worth getting in touch with NB support. That said, I agree with Rnixon's comments that a code problem would be unlikely. If you think it might be, I suggest trying to revert to the environment or conditions "when it always worked" ie without pages served so quickly. Frankly, I can't imagine why you would opt for a stamp over the NB when you need the NB anyhow. Can you eliminate the stamp? I'd try hard!

[davidicus]

I definitely can get rid of the stamp.

I will be studying and learning the art of programming NBs and most likely will be using them more often in the future. I already know C so it shouldn't take me too long.

Where do you suggest I start?

[lgitlitz]

The parallax application is very heavily tested and it should not be a coding problem. To me this sounds almost like a voltage problem. Are all of the power components the same ones provided with the PINK kit ( walwort and 5V reg ) ? The Ethernet PHY is the very sensitive to off voltage so this is where you would likely see issues if your voltage is off. The SB70 should be drawing about 250mA when Ethernet is working, is your regulator rated for current greater then this? Does your regulator get physically hot before Ethernet fails? What type of router are you connected to? Have you tried connecting directly to a PC instead of the switch?

-Larry

[davidicus]

I did not receive a wall wort or voltage regulator when I bought the PINK. I am using a 9 volt, 800 mA wall wart which feeds a 5805A, 5 Volt, 1 Amp voltage regulator.

The regulator outputs voltage around 5.0-5.4 volts.

I tried connecting the PINK directly to my computer through Ethernet (via crossover cable) and through the Serial Port. I cannot get a response from the PINK. I am assuming the Baud for the PINK is 115200 but have tried other baud rates as well (9600, 2400).

My router is a Linksys WRT54GS.

The voltage regulator is hot any time current is being drawn off of it. I checked the regulator with a 10 ohm resistor in series with my meter and measured 470 mA.

As far as the voltage regulator getting hot before the Ethernet fails, the Ethernet does not work at all any more so I can't answer.

[lgitlitz]

Your router is fine, I actually use the identical model as my stable "control" unit when testing for various PHY our switch issues.

The 470mA sounds like an issue. I have never seen a SB70 draw more then about 300mA. Are you sure you did not accidentally reverse the polarity on this module? There is a protection diode, CR1, that should blow if polarity is reversed. You should check to see if this diode is still functioning correctly or if it needs to be replaced.

I have a feeling that the regulator you are using is driving at full current and there is a blown component or a short somewhere on the board. Since it was working originally, there must have been a component that went bad. A 1A linear regulator will likely not be able to provide a full amp of current without a heat sink. Especially when you are nearly cutting the voltage in half. Right now your linear is dissipating (9V-5V) * 470mA = about 2 Watts which is a lot of power for most linears. I looked for this part on digikey but the only part that comes up is a TI 1.2V regulator.

Are you getting any serial functionality at all? The parallax UART port should set to 2400 but the debug port to connect to the PC is probably 115200. You should check the parallax documentation to confirm this.

[davidicus]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was only testing the regulator with a 30 ohm resistor to see if it could feed that much power. I didn't have the PINK connected at the time. The PINK is only drawing about 200 mA when it is connected.

I tried working with the serial port today to see if I could make any headway. I found that (sometimes) I could get the Ethernet lights to stop blinking (though I was never able to communicate via the serial port). I connected an Ethernet cable and the lights acted as though I had a connection. But, the PINK would not show up on the network. I checked with my router and with the NB IP configuration program. No luck.

The only thing I can think of is that it's broken. This is really disheartening for me since I only got to play with it for about 10 minutes.

I'm looking into Microchip's PIC32 series and their TCP/IP stack.

[Ridgeglider]

Any chance you are using a crossover cable from the NB to your router. Try using a cable that you KNOW is OK.