Showing posts with label reflow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflow. Show all posts

Friday, 26 July 2013

3 Ghz counter and power detector build Part II Troubles programming the Dsp

When I populate a new pcb I first solder the chips with the smallest footprints.
Next in order are the bigger ics and power supply chips.

Then I make a break and program the controller.
To program a Pic chip you just need the chip, some decoupling capacitors a pullup resistor  on the reset line and the three programming data lines MCLEAR (reset line),PGC,PGD.
Usually pic chips are super easy to program, compared to the Atmel Avr line they even don't need an oscillator.

So with high hopes I started  the Microchip ide Mplab, connected the programmer to the board (using pogo pins to avoid solderin a connector) and clicked the connect menu entry.


Connecting to MPLAB ICD 2
...Connected
Setting Vdd source to target
ICDWarn0020: Invalid target device id (expected=0xF0F, read=0x0)
...Reading ICD Product ID
Running ICD Self Test
... Failed Self Test.  See ICD2 Settings (Programmer->Settings) (status tab) for details.
MPLAB ICD 2 ready for next operation

Hmmmm
At least one head scratching hours later, no difference.
The Dsp chip simply told me in this working environment we ar on strike, go f*** yourself.
Now what to do if a processor is in working refusal ?
The best way is to negotiating with their local labour union boss, the datasheet.
In a good datasheet there is often a minimal working environment section and voila there is a strange pin number 7 called Vcap/Vdcore.

Hmmmm

After further reading I understood the internal core runs on 2.5V and to avoid an extra power line the chi provides an internal regulator which needs a decoupling capacitor.

Next try:

Connecting to MPLAB ICD 2
...Connected
Setting Vdd source to target
Target Device dsPIC33FJ32GP204 found, revision = Rev 0x3006
...Reading ICD Product ID
Running ICD Self Test
...Passed
MPLAB ICD 2 ready for next operation
Programming Target...
...Validating configuration fields
ICDWarn0046:  Because clock switching is enabled, MPLAB ICD 2 requires the user to cycle target power after a program operation.
...Erasing Part
...Programming Program Memory (0x0 - 0x54FF)
Verifying...
...Program Memory
...Verify Succeeded
...Programming Configuration Bits
.. Config Memory
Verifying configuration memory...
...Programming succeeded

BOOOOOM
Success, the chip is now programmed.
Now that was some heavy lifting , usually troubles appear from the most unexpected direction.

Time for some pictures:
Dsp processor

PLL chip very small footprint

 Log Power measurement , Cpld and Pll chips

Links:
3 Ghz counter and power detector build Part I
Elektor project page

Friday, 12 July 2013

How to solder QFN chips like the MSP430FR5739

The new MSP430FR chip line has interesting features like embedded non volatile fram and ultra low power consumption. The chip is available in TSSOP38 or QFN40 package.I simply had to try them out.

Usually hobbyists  are repelled by the very small case and the missing pins.
But once you get used to work with the QFN package you start to prefer it over any other packaging.
Since they have no visible pins, they cannot suck the solder up via capillary suction and create ugly shorts.

To solder a qfn chip you buy a breakout board and put a small amount of solder paste at the pcb.
Beside the solder paste you add some solder flux (very important).
Then you place the chip on the board and roughly align it.
With an heat gun you slowly heat the chip and board until the flux starts to melt.
This is a very important phase because the chip will swim on the fluid and align itself correctly.
Now heat it up until the solder past melts and you are done.

The next problem you will face is how to check the correct alignment and if all pins are correctly connected to the board.I use a multimeter for that purpose. Usually the pins have a certain resistance around 5k to 1mega ohm. Measure all pins and if there are shorts suck them away using some solder wick.

Once you get used to Qfn packages and are able to solder the chip  correctly it will only require about two minutes of your precious spare time. Soon you will start to enjoy working with Qfn packages.

MSP430 in QFN package compared to a Dil20 chip

Links
MSP430FR5739
Fram
Demo video