ZTEX USB-FPGA Modules 1.15x and 1.15y: 215 and 860 MH/s FPGA Boards

[ztex]

Estimated lead time is 8-12 weeks.

Even for  PBC only option? or are those ready to ship?

Lead time for PCB's is 2-3 weeks.

[1714043076]

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[1714043076]

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[ztex]

hi all, i have 5 x 1.15y boards. i tested all boards one by one and they work. when i plug 2, the PSU shuts down.
PSU is a 650 W / 12V / 20A

12V * 20A  = 240W,  theoretically sufficient to power 5 1.15y FPGA Boards (approx. 200W).  But if the PSU shuts down that is an indication of over current.

A guide for using ATX supplies can be found at
http://wiki.ztex.de/doku.php?id=en:ztex_boards:ztex_fpga_boards:cluster_power_supplies#usb-fpga_modules_115ysmall_clusters

A few additional hints:
* only use the 12V wires (yellow) and GND wires (black)
* Use CON3, connect 2 GND wires and one 12V wire to the terminal block
* as larger the cluster is as more critical the GND resistance becomes (current through the USB cable, never use unshielded USB cables)
* do not split the wires

Another issue: There is a load step during/after FPGA configuration. BTCMiner configures the FPGA's serially and adds delays. So there shouldn't be any problem if you use this software. But if you are using different software which configures the FPGA's at the same time this may be a problem.

[evilscoop]

you mean con2
con3 is the dc barrel plug....


They shutdown after the second board downloads the bitstream on the 4th fpga, just before it should say "added" by btcminer
Power is from the pci-e 12v lines only, and ground is from random blacks....(tried both pci'e and atx gnd's)

tried powering 2 boards from 1 yellow, and tried a yellow to each board...


Agree the 5v/3v loading is worth a shot before canning this psu

[rammy2k2]

i have fixed my problem, it was the PSU ... bought a Corsair and runs 5 boards with no problem.
ztex, do u plan to launch a new miner soon with stratum support?

[evilscoop]

Should be able to use bfgminer or stratum proxy surely

[BR0KK]

i have fixed my problem, it was the PSU ... bought a Corsair and runs 5 boards with no problem.
ztex, do u plan to launch a new miner soon with stratum support?

Nice

Just Dl stratum Proxy from Slush. Point it towards your pool.

Btw why do we need stratum with fpgas?

[rammy2k2]

i have fixed my problem, it was the PSU ... bought a Corsair and runs 5 boards with no problem.
ztex, do u plan to launch a new miner soon with stratum support?

Nice

Just Dl stratum Proxy from Slush. Point it towards your pool.

Btw why do we need stratum with fpgas?

i noticed some pools have higher fees if u use miner with getwork and lower fees if u use miner with stratum support, thats why i asked

[BR0KK]

i have fixed my problem, it was the PSU ... bought a Corsair and runs 5 boards with no problem.
ztex, do u plan to launch a new miner soon with stratum support?

Nice

Just Dl stratum Proxy from Slush. Point it towards your pool.

Btw why do we need stratum with fpgas?

i noticed some pools have higher fees if u use miner with getwork and lower fees if u use miner with stratum support, thats why i asked

Ah ok didn't notice that. You could simply use p2pool to get rid of high fees and be your own operator

[Gaim]

Dear ZTEX,
I need some help..
Today, my new 1.15y2 arrived from German-group-buy.

Some strange things are happening:

Code:

008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-1: f=220.00MHz,  errorRate=0.51%,  maxErrorRate=1.10%,  hashRate=218.9MH/s, T=46.4°C,  submitted 15 new nonces,  luckFactor=1.05
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-2: f=216.00MHz,  errorRate=1.21%,  maxErrorRate=1.81%,  hashRate=213.4MH/s, T=45.8°C,  submitted 15 new nonces,  luckFactor=1.06
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-3: f=224.00MHz,  errorRate=0.00%,  maxErrorRate=0.00%,  hashRate=224.0MH/s, T=52.2°C,  submitted 12 new nonces,  luckFactor=0.87
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-4: f=220.00MHz,  errorRate=0.00%,  maxErrorRate=0.00%,  hashRate=220.0MH/s, T=45.1°C,  submitted 11 new nonces,  luckFactor=0.93

With your miner the values are relative ok, because the client is able to change the frequence of all 4 independly.
I reflashed the firmware once again, too.

I removed the heatsink from 1,2  & 3 removed paste (a bit too much) and attached them again, but I can't change it:

1. Chip 3 is running with 8 degrees more then chip 4 - something to worry about?
2. Chip2 is producing more errors then the other three, which results to a lower frequency and lower hashrate (of course).

On Chip too, the paste at the heatsink looked like it has only connection to the edges and not at the middle of the chip. Is this possible? Any advices? Is this within the normal range?

Thanky in advance,
Gaim

edit: In fact, after I reworked the paste on the chips, It behaves much better on bfgminer too... maybe that was the reason why.
edit2: The reason for posting is/was.. on my really first try the 3rd chip ( I assume no. 3 is c-suffix in bfgminer ) was running super fast, while the 2nd dropped much. I'm currently testing the values after the above written rework of the past on the spartan chips (while the no. 2 had over 300 errors)

edit3: Relaunched bfgminer to make a long-run test:

Device	Enabled	Status	MHS av	MHS 30s	Accepted	Rejected	Hardware Errors	Frequency
ZTX1a	Y	Alive	213.988	215.727	102	0	10	216.000
ZTX1b	Y	Alive	214.320	215.715	115	1	259	216.000
ZTX1c	Y	Alive	210.527	211.729	115	1	2	216.000
ZTX1d	Y	Alive	222.402	223.756	144	0	71	216.000

that is what I wanted to show you. .. it is for off with the hardware error rate.

[BR0KK]

Dear ZTEX,
I need some help..
Today, my new 1.15y2 arrived from German-group-buy.

Some strange things are happening:

Code:

008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-1: f=220.00MHz,  errorRate=0.51%,  maxErrorRate=1.10%,  hashRate=218.9MH/s, T=46.4°C,  submitted 15 new nonces,  luckFactor=1.05
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-2: f=216.00MHz,  errorRate=1.21%,  maxErrorRate=1.81%,  hashRate=213.4MH/s, T=45.8°C,  submitted 15 new nonces,  luckFactor=1.06
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-3: f=224.00MHz,  errorRate=0.00%,  maxErrorRate=0.00%,  hashRate=224.0MH/s, T=52.2°C,  submitted 12 new nonces,  luckFactor=0.87
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-4: f=220.00MHz,  errorRate=0.00%,  maxErrorRate=0.00%,  hashRate=220.0MH/s, T=45.1°C,  submitted 11 new nonces,  luckFactor=0.93

With your miner the values are relative ok, because the client is able to change the frequence of all 4 independly.
I reflashed the firmware once again, too.

I removed the heatsink from 1,2  & 3 removed paste (a bit too much) and attached them again, but I can't change it:

1. Chip 3 is running with 8 degrees more then chip 4 - something to worry about?
2. Chip2 is producing more errors then the other three, which results to a lower frequency and lower hashrate (of course).

On Chip too, the paste at the heatsink looked like it has only connection to the edges and not at the middle of the chip. Is this possible? Any advices? Is this within the normal range?

Thanky in advance,
Gaim

edit: In fact, after I reworked the paste on the chips, It behaves much better on bfgminer too... maybe that was the reason why.
edit2: The reason for posting is/was.. on my really first try the 3rd chip ( I assume no. 3 is c-suffix in bfgminer ) was running super fast, while the 2nd dropped much. I'm currently testing the values after the above written rework of the past on the spartan chips (while the no. 2 had over 300 errors)

edit3: Relaunched bfgminer to make a long-run test:

Device	Enabled	Status	MHS av	MHS 30s	Accepted	Rejected	Hardware Errors	Frequency
ZTX1a	Y	Alive	213.988	215.727	102	0	10	216.000
ZTX1b	Y	Alive	214.320	215.715	115	1	259	216.000
ZTX1c	Y	Alive	210.527	211.729	115	1	2	216.000
ZTX1d	Y	Alive	222.402	223.756	144	0	71	216.000

that is what I wanted to show you. .. it is for off with the hardware error rate.

1. The Tem. displayed is not of the chip (inside). Its somewhere on the PCB, probably under the chip. So read this Value with a grain of salt!.

2. Not every chip behaves the same way. I have boards that do 228 minimum on all four chips and others that wont make 204 or more than 199...

3. Error rate is calculated every the bitstream clocks up and down. I have a lot of HW errors with my Ztex on CGminer in the beginning (when it clocks up) and then it normalizes.

[Zalfrin]

Are either of you (or anyone else) running CGMiner/BFGMiner under windows? I've heard of people having success under Linux, but not windows due to driver problems.

Anyhow, those numbers look pretty normal. Mine range from 204 MHz to 232 MHz, with good thermal paste and decent cooling. It's just luck of the draw, some FPGA silicon can run faster than others due to fabrication differences.

Those are pretty good clock rates actually, but the last 2 FPGAs in your example are still finding their max frequency. You can tell by the 0% errors. The frequency will increase until errors start to occur, then the software backs off a little bit to maximize valid hashes produced.

[ztex]

Some strange things are happening:

Code:

008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-1: f=220.00MHz,  errorRate=0.51%,  maxErrorRate=1.10%,  hashRate=218.9MH/s, T=46.4°C,  submitted 15 new nonces,  luckFactor=1.05
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-2: f=216.00MHz,  errorRate=1.21%,  maxErrorRate=1.81%,  hashRate=213.4MH/s, T=45.8°C,  submitted 15 new nonces,  luckFactor=1.06
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-3: f=224.00MHz,  errorRate=0.00%,  maxErrorRate=0.00%,  hashRate=224.0MH/s, T=52.2°C,  submitted 12 new nonces,  luckFactor=0.87
008-0: ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A39E1212-4: f=220.00MHz,  errorRate=0.00%,  maxErrorRate=0.00%,  hashRate=220.0MH/s, T=45.1°C,  submitted 11 new nonces,  luckFactor=0.93

There isn't anything strange:

> 1. Chip 3 is running with 8 degrees more then chip 4 - something to worry about?

Accuracy is about 5°C A difference of 8°C beetween hottest and coldes temperature is normal.

> 2. Chip2 is producing more errors then the other three, which results to a lower frequency and lower hashrate (of course).

Code:

Not all FPGA achieve the same performance. Values can be found in the inital posting of this thread.
Device	Enabled	Status	MHS av	   MHS 30s	Accepted	Rejected	Hardware Errors	Frequency
ZTX1a	Y	Alive	213.988	215.727	102	0	10	216.000
ZTX1b	Y	Alive	214.320	   215.715	115	1	259	216.000
ZTX1c	Y	Alive	210.527	   211.729   	115	1	2	216.000
ZTX1d	Y	Alive	222.402	223.756	144	0	71	216.000

that is what I wanted to show you. .. it is for off with the hardware error rate.

I'm not involved in bfgminer and can say how these values are computed. But if you would downclock it, you probably see no hardware errors anymore.

Goal of mining software (at least BTCMiner) is to achieve maximum hash rate. And often you achieve a higher hash rate if you overclock and accept a few errors.

[ovibit]

hi i have ZTEX USB-FPGA Modules 1.15y  what program do I need to recognize by the windows? thanks

[BR0KK]

hi i have ZTEX USB-FPGA Modules 1.15y  what program do I need to recognize by the windows? thanks

Its easy to find out. Search this thread or read the HowTo on Ztex page.

If you have specific questions don't hesitate to ask!

[TacoFederal]

Hey folks, I was given a unit in a trade, Ztex 1.15y. Can someone help me set up the board with cgminer? I've done the google searching and forum searching and I've come up short on a noob guide. Thanks in advance.

[Lyddite]

Hey folks, I was given a unit in a trade, Ztex 1.15y. Can someone help me set up the board with cgminer? I've done the google searching and forum searching and I've come up short on a noob guide. Thanks in advance.

I'd try getting it running with the java client first. Check which firmware is running on it and then update if necessary.

http://www.ztex.de/btcminer/

(Note that the command lines in the examples might point to a difference version of the software than what you may have.)

[TacoFederal]

Hey folks, I was given a unit in a trade, Ztex 1.15y. Can someone help me set up the board with cgminer? I've done the google searching and forum searching and I've come up short on a noob guide. Thanks in advance.

I'd try getting it running with the java client first. Check which firmware is running on it and then update if necessary.

http://www.ztex.de/btcminer/

(Note that the command lines in the examples might point to a difference version of the software than what you may have.)

How do I check the firmware that's running on it. My computer doesn't recognize the unit when I plug it in anymore. I say anymore because when I first plugged it in, windows told me it couldn't find firmware for the device. Now, it's not doing that, and when I go to inf wizard, it doesn't show up. I'm using a barrel plug for power because I didn't know what terminals where what on the green power connector. I'm connected to the PC via a gold plated USB cable don't know if that adds anything.

[BR0KK]

Devices are show as something like "Cypress..... " if unconfigured and will be displayed as "Ztex...." if the correct driver is installed.

Show me a screenshot or post how they are displayed in the device manager!

You need to follow that guide!

All you need is the Ztex SDK (the appropriate libusb driver is in there) and java.
Note that cgminer and BTCMiner use different libusb files!


 

[rupy]

Use your zTex to mine blakecoin!

[brunopizzul]

Hi, my first day with Ztex USB-FPGA Module 1.15y, so I'm super-newbie  
I install usb driver from libusb-win32 ztex sdk (ok) under win7 x64,
then i started java.exe -cp ZtexBTCMiner.jar BTCMiner -host "http://eu-stratum.btcguild.com:3333" -u user_1
but i get this errors  

java.exe -cp ZtexBTCMiner.jar BTCMiner -host "http://eu-stratum.btcguild.com:3333" -u user_1
Enter RPC password:
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E: New device: bitfile=ztex_ufm1_15y1   f_default=200,00
MHz  f_max=248,00MHz  HpC=1.0H
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E: MAC address: 0004a36de93e
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E: FPGA 1: configuration time: 315 ms
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E: FPGA 2: configuration time: 315 ms
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E: FPGA 3: configuration time: 315 ms
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E: FPGA 4: configuration time: 316 ms
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-1: New FPGA
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-1: Set frequency to 200,00MHz
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-2: New FPGA
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-2: Set frequency to 200,00MHz
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-3: New FPGA
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-3: Set frequency to 200,00MHz
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-4: New FPGA
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-4: Set frequency to 200,00MHz

A multi-FPGA board is detected. Use the cluster mode for additional statistics.
Disconnect device or press Ctrl-C for exit

ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-4: Error: Unexpected end of file from server: Disablin
g URL http://eu-stratum.btcguild.com:3333 for 30s
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-3: Error: Unexpected end of file from server: Disablin
g URL http://eu-stratum.btcguild.com:3333 for 30s
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-2: Error: Unexpected end of file from server: Disablin
g URL http://eu-stratum.btcguild.com:3333 for 30s
ztex_ufm1_15y1-04A36DE93E-1: Error: Unexpected end of file from server: Disablin
g URL http://eu-stratum.btcguild.com:3333 for 30s
...

can u help me ??
Regards