Experimenting with Jalapeno firmware...

[danattacker]

I received my Jalapeno with the 2 GH/s upgrade two days ago. There might be a flaky engine in the chips because sometimes it will hash at 7.65 GH/s when I restart the miner, but mostly it runs at 7.4 GH/s. The difference is 250 MH/s, so it makes sense if one engine didn't initialize properly if the chips ran at 250 MHz.

With the recent release of the source code for the firmware, I decided to take a look at it and I installed Atmel Studio. The project loaded up and compiled fine.

I attempted to then access the firmware via JTAG. I didn't have the proper JTAG programmer, all I had was a old Xilinx DLC5 based parallel port cable that I made. I found an open source JTAG programming software (UrJTAG) and the microcontroller (AT32UC3A1256) was detected fine. The problem was that the microcontroller wasn't supported by the software, so I used a somewhat similar part and checked some of the instructions and they looked the same. But, I didn't check everything. I tried to read back the contents of the flash but what I got back was nothing (just a bunch of FFs). But, after that operation, it effectively bricked my jalapeno. It does not boot up anymore.

So, I ordered a proper programmer (AVR Dragon) that will work with AVR studio and the microcontroller. I'll let you guys know in about 2 days whether or not I get my jalapeno working again. And if it does work again, I can start tinkering with the firmware.

[goxed]

watching

[tigerfree]

watching

[glendall]

Extra spicy?

[dogie]

Why do people post "watching" rather than pressing the watch button and watching? Ah yes, to increase post count.

[-ck]

I received my Jalapeno with the 2 GH/s upgrade two days ago. There might be a flaky engine in the chips because sometimes it will hash at 7.65 GH/s when I restart the miner, but mostly it runs at 7.4 GH/s. The difference is 250 MH/s, so it makes sense if one engine didn't initialize properly if the chips ran at 250 MHz.

Current firmware theoretically tests the hardware error count and clocks accordingly when you're starting it up, so theoretically you should let it cool down before firing it up again for it to choose the higher rate

[danattacker]

I received my Jalapeno with the 2 GH/s upgrade two days ago. There might be a flaky engine in the chips because sometimes it will hash at 7.65 GH/s when I restart the miner, but mostly it runs at 7.4 GH/s. The difference is 250 MH/s, so it makes sense if one engine didn't initialize properly if the chips ran at 250 MHz.

Current firmware theoretically tests the hardware error count and clocks accordingly when you're starting it up, so theoretically you should let it cool down before firing it up again for it to choose the higher rate

I have noticed that there was a better chance of running at 7.65 GH/s when I let the unit cool.

[peterepeat]

Im going to put mine in the fridge for a while before turning it back on.

[cp1]

Was the copy protect bit set?  Could you download the firmware to save it?  (I assume AVRs have that just like PICs)

[danattacker]

Was the copy protect bit set?  Could you download the firmware to save it?  (I assume AVRs have that just like PICs)

I have no idea since I wasn't using the correct software.

Current firmware theoretically tests the hardware error count and clocks accordingly when you're starting it up, so theoretically you should let it cool down before firing it up again for it to choose the higher rate

I thought that since __DO_NOT_TUNE_CHIPS_FREQUENCY is set to 1 in std_defs.h, it wasn't going to tune the chips and use a static frequency setting. Unless the source code doesn't necessarily reflect what is being shipping right now. I haven't spent a whole lot of time looking at the code so I could have missed something.

[one4many]

Can you actually change between 5 GH/s and 7 GH/s on an upgraded unit?
Or will it always run on 7 GH/s.

[-ck]

Was the copy protect bit set?  Could you download the firmware to save it?  (I assume AVRs have that just like PICs)

I have no idea since I wasn't using the correct software.

Current firmware theoretically tests the hardware error count and clocks accordingly when you're starting it up, so theoretically you should let it cool down before firing it up again for it to choose the higher rate

I thought that since __DO_NOT_TUNE_CHIPS_FREQUENCY is set to 1 in std_defs.h, it wasn't going to tune the chips and use a static frequency setting. Unless the source code doesn't necessarily reflect what is being shipping right now. I haven't spent a whole lot of time looking at the code so I could have missed something.

The firmware specifically distributed appears to be for the single - if you look at what defines are enabled - not the Jalapeno or 5GH or 7GH or whatever it's being called now, so I'm guessing that if you have one that changes clocks, you have firmware that differs from what was distributed. Nasser confirmed that it would clock according to error rate, so I'm assuming that's what's causing your different speeds. Stick it in the fridge.

[JordanL]

Why do people post "watching" rather than pressing the watch button and watching? Ah yes, to increase post count.

I haven't done this... but when you click watch, the thread goes on your "watchlist" right? Most people (myself include) probably check the "new replies to your posts" all the time, but not the watchlist.

Anywho... one post closer to 500. 

[danattacker]

The firmware specifically distributed appears to be for the single - if you look at what defines are enabled - not the Jalapeno or 5GH or 7GH or whatever it's being called now, so I'm guessing that if you have one that changes clocks, you have firmware that differs from what was distributed. Nasser confirmed that it would clock according to error rate, so I'm assuming that's what's causing your different speeds. Stick it in the fridge.

Yeah, there are definitely some discrepancies in that file. It says __PRODUCT_MODEL_LITTLE_SINGLE__ but further down it says UNIT_FIRMWARE_TYPE is ">>>>JALAPENO>>>>". But, your probably right about the clocks.

[vapourminer]

With the recent release of the source code for the firmware, I decided to take a look at it and I installed AVR studio. The project loaded up and compiled fine.

is there any particular version of avr studio I need? Im definably going to be messing with mine.

Im hoping a cheaper programmer like this one will work:

http://www.fasttech.com/product/1023000-atmel-avr-jtag-usb-in-circuit-debugger-programmer


best of luck getting it going again!

[danattacker]

With the recent release of the source code for the firmware, I decided to take a look at it and I installed AVR studio. The project loaded up and compiled fine.

is there any particular version of avr studio I need? Im definably going to be messing with mine.

Im hoping a cheaper programmer like this one will work:

http://www.fasttech.com/product/1023000-atmel-avr-jtag-usb-in-circuit-debugger-programmer


best of luck getting it going again!

I downloaded the latest version, Atmel Studio 6.1. Sorry, I accidentally said AVR instead of Atmel Studio.

I'm not sure if that programmer will work. Looks like it emulates AVR JTAG ICE, but I think you need at least JTAGICE mkII. I'm no Atmel expert though, so I'm not sure. I would have gone cheaper, but looks like AVR Dragon is the cheapest while still knowing for sure it will work.

[cp1]

Maybe someone can try and copy their firmware for you to unbrick yours.

[one4many]

Maybe someone can try and copy their firmware for you to unbrick yours.

+1

a public repository of stock and "tuned" firmwares for all devices would be great.
If someone could send me the images I would host and maintain a small website for it.

Cheers

     one4many

[danattacker]

What would also be nice is if BFL would post on their website compiled firmware like they do with their FPGA products, although their ASIC line isn't meant to be user programmable. Maybe I should ask them.

[goxed]

This may work as well to reprogram the ATMEL MCU. What do you guys think?
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/USBASP-USBISP-AVR-Programmer-USB-ATMEGA8-ATMEGA128-ATMEL-AVR-ATmege-AT90-ATtiny-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/mzIAAMXQDfdRp-Zc/$(KGrHqIOKpMFGUejiKcvBRp-ZbotqQ~~60_57.JPG[/img]]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USBASP-USBISP-AVR-Programmer-USB-ATMEGA8-ATMEGA128-ATMEL-AVR-ATmege-AT90-ATtiny-/190855600470?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6fe15956