Empathy List Archives

W

whw@appliedradar.com

Tue, May 6, 2025 3:40 PM

We have a couple of B205mini boards left over from a previous job, trying to re-purpose. Both acting the same:

Plug into USB and get amber power light.
uhd_find_devices reports “No Devices Found”.
“sudo lsusb” does not report anything looking like the B205mini.
/usr/lib/uhd/utils/b2xx_fx3_utils reports “cannot open device”

Is there some initial firmware on the device that is possibly corrupted? Do I need to program the device via JTAG? Is there a special programming cable for this purpose?

We have a couple of B205mini boards left over from a previous job, trying to re-purpose. Both acting the same: 1) Plug into USB and get amber power light. 2) uhd_find_devices reports “No Devices Found”. 3) “sudo lsusb” does not report anything looking like the B205mini. 4) /usr/lib/uhd/utils/b2xx_fx3_utils reports “cannot open device” Is there some initial firmware on the device that is possibly corrupted? Do I need to program the device via JTAG? Is there a special programming cable for this purpose?

MD

Marcus D. Leech

Tue, May 6, 2025 3:46 PM

On 06/05/2025 11:40, whw@appliedradar.com wrote:

We have a couple of B205mini boards left over from a previous job,
trying to re-purpose. Both acting the same:

Plug into USB and get amber power light.
uhd_find_devices reports “No Devices Found”.
“sudo lsusb” does not report anything looking like the B205mini.
/usr/lib/uhd/utils/b2xx_fx3_utils reports “cannot open device”

Is there some initial firmware on the device that is possibly
corrupted? Do I need to program the device via JTAG? Is there a
special programming cable for this purpose?

USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com
To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com

If plugged in to a USB 2.0 port, you may need a "Y" cable to extract
power from 2 USB ports.

On 06/05/2025 11:40, whw@appliedradar.com wrote: > > We have a couple of B205mini boards left over from a previous job, > trying to re-purpose. Both acting the same: > > 1) Plug into USB and get amber power light. > > 2) uhd_find_devices reports “No Devices Found”. > > 3) “sudo lsusb” does not report anything looking like the B205mini. > > 4) /usr/lib/uhd/utils/b2xx_fx3_utils reports “cannot open device” > > Is there some initial firmware on the device that is possibly > corrupted? Do I need to program the device via JTAG? Is there a > special programming cable for this purpose? > > > _______________________________________________ > USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com > To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com If plugged in to a USB 2.0 port, you may need a "Y" cable to extract power from *2* USB ports.

W

whw@appliedradar.com

Tue, May 6, 2025 6:42 PM

We are using USB-A 3.2 Gen2 ports

MD

Marcus D. Leech

Tue, May 6, 2025 7:15 PM

On 06/05/2025 14:42, whw@appliedradar.com wrote:

We are using USB-A 3.2 Gen2 ports

USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com
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Does your system log anything unusual when you plug them in?

What if you try them on a system with straight USB-3.0?

On 06/05/2025 14:42, whw@appliedradar.com wrote: > > We are using USB-A 3.2 Gen2 ports > > > _______________________________________________ > USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com > To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com Does your system log anything unusual when you plug them in? What if you try them on a system with straight USB-3.0?

W

whw@appliedradar.com

Tue, May 6, 2025 8:55 PM

We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer available?

MD

Marcus D. Leech

Tue, May 6, 2025 9:42 PM

On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote:

We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems
the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM
is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to
factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer
available?

I'm trying to find that out. If it won't enumerate, there's no way to
give the FX3 a factory-fresh boot image over USB.

This has happened so rarely in the 15 years I've supported USRP devices
that I don't have a procedure committed to memory.

Is it possible that this device was "wiped" according to military
security standards for such devices?

On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote: > > We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems > the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM > is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to > factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer > available? > > I'm trying to find that out. If it won't enumerate, there's no way to give the FX3 a factory-fresh boot image over USB. This has happened so rarely in the 15 years I've supported USRP devices that I don't have a procedure committed to memory. Is it possible that this device was "wiped" according to military security standards for such devices?

MD

Marcus D. Leech

Tue, May 6, 2025 9:45 PM

On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote:

We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems
the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM
is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to
factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer
available?

USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com
To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com

There is an FX3 "hard reset" switch on the board--SW1. Press that with
it powered up. Does it now show up as an
unprogrammed FX3? (West Bridge, I think).

On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote: > > We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems > the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM > is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to > factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer > available? > > > _______________________________________________ > USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com > To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com There is an FX3 "hard reset" switch on the board--SW1. Press that with it powered up. Does it now show up as an unprogrammed FX3? (West Bridge, I think).

BW

Bill weedon

Tue, May 6, 2025 10:56 PM

I suspect the device was wiped as you stated. Is there a remedy to bring it back to factory standards? There is a mictor connector with FX3 JTAG but requires mating connector, programmer and binary image.
Thanks,
Bill Weedon

On May 6, 2025, at 5:43 PM, Marcus D. Leech patchvonbraun@gmail.com wrote:

On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote:

We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer available?

I'm trying to find that out. If it won't enumerate, there's no way to give the FX3 a factory-fresh boot image over USB.

This has happened so rarely in the 15 years I've supported USRP devices that I don't have a procedure committed to memory.

Is it possible that this device was "wiped" according to military security standards for such devices?

USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com
To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com

I suspect the device was wiped as you stated. Is there a remedy to bring it back to factory standards? There is a mictor connector with FX3 JTAG but requires mating connector, programmer and binary image. Thanks, Bill Weedon On May 6, 2025, at 5:43 PM, Marcus D. Leech <patchvonbraun@gmail.com> wrote: On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote: > > We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer available? > > I'm trying to find that out. If it won't enumerate, there's no way to give the FX3 a factory-fresh boot image over USB. This has happened so rarely in the 15 years I've supported USRP devices that I don't have a procedure committed to memory. Is it possible that this device was "wiped" according to military security standards for such devices? _______________________________________________ USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com

MD

Marcus D. Leech

Tue, May 6, 2025 11:44 PM

On 06/05/2025 18:56, Bill weedon wrote:

I suspect the device was wiped as you stated. Is there a remedy to bring it back to factory standards? There is a mictor connector with FX3 JTAG but requires mating connector, programmer and binary image.
Thanks,
Bill Weedon

There is this:

https://www.ettus.com/all-products/jtag-fx3-cable-24/

There's a bootloader image here:

/usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b200_bl.img

I don't know if that image can be programmed over JTAG, or some other
image is required. There is a utility:

/usr/lib/uhd/utils/b2xx_fx3_utils

That is used when the device actually appears on USB. In your case,
"side loading" through JTAG--->FX3 is not something I
have a procedure for, but, like I said, I'm trying to find out.

On May 6, 2025, at 5:43 PM, Marcus D. Leech patchvonbraun@gmail.com wrote:

On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote:

We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer available?

I'm trying to find that out. If it won't enumerate, there's no way to give the FX3 a factory-fresh boot image over USB.

This has happened so rarely in the 15 years I've supported USRP devices that I don't have a procedure committed to memory.

Is it possible that this device was "wiped" according to military security standards for such devices?

USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com
To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com

On 06/05/2025 18:56, Bill weedon wrote: > I suspect the device was wiped as you stated. Is there a remedy to bring it back to factory standards? There is a mictor connector with FX3 JTAG but requires mating connector, programmer and binary image. > Thanks, > Bill Weedon There is this: https://www.ettus.com/all-products/jtag-fx3-cable-24/ There's a bootloader image here: /usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b200_bl.img I don't know if that image can be programmed over JTAG, or some other image is required. There is a utility: /usr/lib/uhd/utils/b2xx_fx3_utils That is used *when the device actually appears on USB*. In your case, "side loading" through JTAG--->FX3 is not something I have a procedure for, but, like I said, I'm trying to find out. > > On May 6, 2025, at 5:43 PM, Marcus D. Leech <patchvonbraun@gmail.com> wrote: > > On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote: >> We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer available? >> >> > I'm trying to find that out. If it won't enumerate, there's no way to give the FX3 a factory-fresh boot image over USB. > > This has happened so rarely in the 15 years I've supported USRP devices that I don't have a procedure committed to memory. > > Is it possible that this device was "wiped" according to military security standards for such devices? > > > _______________________________________________ > USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com > To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com

BW

Bill weedon

Wed, May 7, 2025 2:34 AM

Seems we’re on the right track here. $180 programming cable and I also found FX3 source code on github. Need to figure out what compiler to use to compile the FX2 code or upload the raw binary using the $180 programming cable.

I also created an NI account and sent in a service request. They quoted $450 to fix/replace the B205mini. Seems like a good deal. But since I have two boards with the same issue thats $900.

Thanks,
Bill Weedon

On May 6, 2025, at 7:45 PM, Marcus D. Leech patchvonbraun@gmail.com wrote:

On 06/05/2025 18:56, Bill weedon wrote:

I suspect the device was wiped as you stated. Is there a remedy to bring it back to factory standards? There is a mictor connector with FX3 JTAG but requires mating connector, programmer and binary image.
Thanks,
Bill Weedon

There is this:

https://www.ettus.com/all-products/jtag-fx3-cable-24/

There's a bootloader image here:

/usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b200_bl.img

I don't know if that image can be programmed over JTAG, or some other image is required. There is a utility:

/usr/lib/uhd/utils/b2xx_fx3_utils

That is used when the device actually appears on USB. In your case, "side loading" through JTAG--->FX3 is not something I
have a procedure for, but, like I said, I'm trying to find out.

On May 6, 2025, at 5:43 PM, Marcus D. Leech patchvonbraun@gmail.com wrote:

On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote:

We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer available?

I'm trying to find that out. If it won't enumerate, there's no way to give the FX3 a factory-fresh boot image over USB.

This has happened so rarely in the 15 years I've supported USRP devices that I don't have a procedure committed to memory.

Is it possible that this device was "wiped" according to military security standards for such devices?

USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com
To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com

Seems we’re on the right track here. $180 programming cable and I also found FX3 source code on github. Need to figure out what compiler to use to compile the FX2 code or upload the raw binary using the $180 programming cable. I also created an NI account and sent in a service request. They quoted $450 to fix/replace the B205mini. Seems like a good deal. But since I have two boards with the same issue thats $900. Thanks, Bill Weedon On May 6, 2025, at 7:45 PM, Marcus D. Leech <patchvonbraun@gmail.com> wrote: On 06/05/2025 18:56, Bill weedon wrote: > I suspect the device was wiped as you stated. Is there a remedy to bring it back to factory standards? There is a mictor connector with FX3 JTAG but requires mating connector, programmer and binary image. > Thanks, > Bill Weedon There is this: https://www.ettus.com/all-products/jtag-fx3-cable-24/ There's a bootloader image here: /usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b200_bl.img I don't know if that image can be programmed over JTAG, or some other image is required. There is a utility: /usr/lib/uhd/utils/b2xx_fx3_utils That is used *when the device actually appears on USB*. In your case, "side loading" through JTAG--->FX3 is not something I have a procedure for, but, like I said, I'm trying to find out. > > On May 6, 2025, at 5:43 PM, Marcus D. Leech <patchvonbraun@gmail.com> wrote: > > On 06/05/2025 16:55, whw@appliedradar.com wrote: >> We tried plugging the unit into several PC’s and laptops, and it seems the device is not enumerating. I am starting to think the FX3 EEPROM is corrupt. Is there a way for the user to reset the FX3 firmware to factory setting? Is a programming cable, FX3 image, and programmer available? >> >> > I'm trying to find that out. If it won't enumerate, there's no way to give the FX3 a factory-fresh boot image over USB. > > This has happened so rarely in the 15 years I've supported USRP devices that I don't have a procedure committed to memory. > > Is it possible that this device was "wiped" according to military security standards for such devices? > > > _______________________________________________ > USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com > To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com _______________________________________________ USRP-users mailing list -- usrp-users@lists.ettus.com To unsubscribe send an email to usrp-users-leave@lists.ettus.com

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B205mini Discovery Issue