• Author Author: colporteur
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POST 3 What is in the box... Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 Starter Kit

colporteur

I've discovered that the documentation is significantly behind the product supplied for this RoadTest. I would have liked to provide the resource I discovered that my fellow RoadTester could use and not have to visit the dead end rabbit warrens that I have traveled.

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It appears this is the unit used for the documentation. Notice next to the RJ45 connector the narrow silver case of a USB-A socket.

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We are provided this unit. Note the USB is not present.

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In addition, the kit comes with a QSPI eMCC module. It mates with the E3 connector on the board. This module promises to eliminate the need for the SD card, if it only worked!

I've discovered the firmware for this module has changed (as promised in documentation). I have been unsuccessful in trying to load the OS to this module in the current firmware version because of the watchdog timer. It reboots the OS when it fails to get a proper response. It has to be disabled to load the OS (through a USB port that doesn't exist) into the module. A github dev version I found appears to fix the issue.

The documentation is for the board I don't have so even if I solve the watchdog timer issue my board doesn't have the USB-A port to move the OS.

After backing out of the last warren run that ended in a dead end, I've sent an email to Red Pitaya support for assistance.

My intent was to get a stable Pitaya platform to pursue SDR objectives. A self contained bootable Pitaya I felt was a reasonable starting point. That would give me a chance to explore the setup and then investigate SDR. That setup part is proving to be a bit of a challenge.

Getting the OS working was a struggle. I'm going to park the module boot option until I get a response from support.

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    The new tool I found but the firmware on the module doesn't support it. According to the github dev tree I found firmware v1.1 released in Sept. will disable the watchdog timer. That still doesn't address how to have the eMCC module appear as a drive for balenaetcher to use. I've emailed tech support and will post their response.

    Working on this might have to be a community event. As each participant discovers something, it is shared to avoid duplication.

  • in reply to obones

    Obones, I thought it was just me. I read the reflash a few times. Each time feeling more overwhelmed. I estimate I spent close to six hours working on the watchdog timer. In the final hours AI suggested I start the module and then plug it into the Pitaya. That would eliminate the timer. I asked the questions is this supported by the vendor and I swear AI laughed.

    There has been a few times when I've considered throwing in the towel because this device is so above my knowledge level. I've overcome this in the past by investing in research to discover what I don't know. Individuals that are using this unit are working on Phd's. That is above my education level.

    I've decide to put aside getting the device configured. I figured that was the easy part and I would gain some confidence. Well plan meets first contact isn't going so well. I'm pivoting to SDR focused resources now. The current code load has some apps built in. I've tried dipping my toe in one and I think I will need air tanks if I want to get to the bottom.

  • Hoping Red Pitaya support gets back to you quickly!

  • I feel your pain, and I'm grateful that you are doing this so we don't have to.

    What is that Red Pitaya don't get about the notion that stuff at this price level should just work!

    MK

  • in reply to obones
    [quote userid="418567" url="~/products/roadtest/f/forum/57276/post-3-what-is-in-the-box-red-pitaya-stemlab-125-14-pro-gen-2-starter-kit/238232"]Option 2 is apparently out of the equation[/quote]

    The changelog appears to show that e3_i2c tools were added under 2.07-43:

    New Tools: Introduced updater_tool, profiles_tool, e3_led_controller, and e3_i2c tools.

    so option 2 may now be an option.