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RTK Surveyor 4MB esptool Linux does not enter bootloader mode #266

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eshattow opened this issue Aug 4, 2022 · 20 comments
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RTK Surveyor 4MB esptool Linux does not enter bootloader mode #266

eshattow opened this issue Aug 4, 2022 · 20 comments

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@eshattow
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eshattow commented Aug 4, 2022 •
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Schematic says that RTS should bring IO0 low for bootloader mode and DTR bring enable low for reset.

When using esptool the target RTK Surveyor 4MB does not enter bootloader mode.

Using a probe to bring IO0 low to GND does enable bootloader mode. Is this a Linux driver problem not activating RTS?

Debian GNU/Linux bookworm/sid
Linux zontar 5.18.0-2-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 5.18.5-1 (2022-06-16) x86_64 GNU/Linux
$ lsmod | grep usbserial
usbserial 61440 3 ch341
usbcore 327680 8 usbserial,xhci_hcd,usbhid,usb_storage,btusb,xhci_pci,uas,ch341
@eshattow
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eshattow commented Aug 4, 2022

Please have a look at your CH340 driver tutorial, it may help.
Originally posted by @nseidle in #207 (comment)

I've tried that https://github.com/juliagoda/CH341SER.git driver, also the https://github.com/WCHSoftGroup/ch341ser_linux.git (with some minor fixes for compilation), and none are moving the device to bootloader mode.

Next troubleshooting step I suppose is to connect with another OS to determine if it works at all on the same hardware.

@eshattow
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eshattow commented Aug 4, 2022

Attempted with a fresh KVM virt-manager install of Windows 10 LTSC. Installed firefox, get snapshot of SparkFun_RTK_Firmware git repo, install Python for windows, pip3 install pyqt5 pyserial, install CH341SER driver from wch-ic.com vendor. From host OS add blacklist lines to /etc/modprobe.d/chserial-blacklist.conf for usbserial and ch340 ch341 ch34x just to be thorough. Connect USB-C cable to RTK Surveyor and turn power switch on, then in virt-manager set USB redirector for the device. Guest OS Windows 10 makes its hardware detected noise and verify in the hardware manager. Run from SparkFun_RTK_Firmware: python RTK_Firmware_Uploader_GUI.py and select the 2.3 firmware binary, ch341 COM device, and "Upload Firmware" button.

Hardware looks like it resets.

Output follows:

Ports Refreshed

Detecting flash size

esptool.py v3.3
Serial port \\.\COM3
Connecting...
Device PID identification is only supported on COM and /dev/ serial ports.
...................................

Failed to connect to ESP32: Wrong boot mode detected (0x13)! The chip needs to be in download mode.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.html

So is this a hardware problem with the Sparkfun RTK Surveyor 4MB?

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Aug 4, 2022 •
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Perhaps @LeeLeahy2 can add some insight as he's primarily on Linux.

I believe this is a software/driver issue with the CH340 and Linux. The RTS and DTR must be driven with specific wave forms to set BOOT and EN accurately on the ESP32. esptool.py controls RTS and DTR in the correct ways, but it is up to the driver on any given platform to correctly follow them. I believe we can eliminate the hardware and the CH340 IC itself as these are working on other platforms.

Here are some additional things to try (in case you haven't already): https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ch340-drivers/all#linux

If and when you find a solution please let me know so I can update the docs.

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Aug 4, 2022

And, just to be sure, you're plugging the USB C cable into the 'CONFIG ESP32' port, correct?

@LeeLeahy2
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The procedure that I have been using to build the firmware is documented here. We have been using the 2.0.2 version of the ESP32 Core which includes version 3.1.0 of the esptool.py. I have not needed to include any special drivers beyond what is included with Ubuntu 20.04. This version of esptool.py seems to require python3 to execute successfully as documented in the new-firmware.sh shell script.

Nathan, does he also need a different partition file? If so, where in the release tree is the 4MB partition file? If this file is needed then a change is necessary to the new-firmware.sh shell script to replace RTK_Surveyor.ino.partitions.bin with the 4MB partition file.

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Aug 4, 2022 •
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Note the OP is having problems just getting the ESP32 into boot mode. I don't believe this is partition file related, but @eshattow will need it eventually.

Shoot, the docs should have had a link but they don't. Updated now.

4MB partition file is here.

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Aug 8, 2022

Hi @eshattow - Let us know if you were able to properly control the CH340 via Linux.

@eshattow
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eshattow commented Aug 9, 2022

Hi @eshattow - Let us know if you were able to properly control the CH340 via Linux.

No, the reset is happening but the bootloader mode is not activated. I also tried this from Windows 10 in a virtual machine (on the same Linux host as tested) and USB passthrough so the Windows Driver was in control, and there was no change from behavior of Linux 5.18.0

Should I try to find some different computer to test against? Perhaps Intel vs AMD USB controller, or, I don't know what else to try?

How can I verify if this is a driver problem or a RTK Surveyor 4MB problem?

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Aug 10, 2022

Harumph. I'm not sure what to recommend at this point.

How can I verify if this is a driver problem or a RTK Surveyor 4MB problem?

It sounds like you've tested really everything. I'm not sure how to test without probing individual pins with a logic analyzer with esptool starts up.

I'm happy to do a return and have a look at the unit for you to confirm there's nothing wrong with the hardware. Let me know. This is a head scratcher.

@eshattow
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@nseidle Sure let's do that. I've submitted a request at https://www.sparkfun.com/returns

@Funda
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Funda commented Aug 17, 2022

We have your return ticket open @eshattow. I will get you taken care of momentarily.

@LeeLeahy2
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What version of Linux are you running?

I did an install on an old version of Ubuntu and I found that I needed to reduce the baud rate to get the boot loader to work successfully. I set the baud rate to 230400 and was able to successfully upload the image to the RTK Express. The baud rate is set in the Arduino IDE using the Tools/Upload Speed menu item. The baud rate is also hard coded in the new-firmware.sh shell script file.

The latest release candidate contains the proper partition .bin file for the 4MB unit. Please edit the new-firmware.sh shell script file when programming a 4MB RTK Express to use the 4MB version of the partition file.

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Oct 10, 2022

Hi @eshattow - I've got your unit and it bootloads via software as expected. The RTK firmware GUI is able to load new code and I see the unit resetting via the toggling of the port via TeraTerm. This all indicates to me that the hardware is working as designed and expected. At this point I have to chalk this up to a CH340 driver / Linux problem. We have other Linux users able to load code but I am not an expert so I'm afraid my support is limited.

WRT hardware: I noticed two things about your unit:

  • The base switch wires have been either cut or broken. Would you like us to repair them?
  • This RTK Surveyor PCB version uses the original SMD version of the antenna connector which can rip off if the unit is dropped. In general, we replace this with a much more robust bulkhead connector. Would you like us to modify your unit to prevent future antenna connector failure?
    image

@eshattow
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eshattow commented Oct 11, 2022 via email

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Oct 11, 2022

While you have the device can you verify updating firmware works with a host PC running some bootable Linux live image ?

I attempted to boot to a bootable USB drive with the image you point to but hit a GRUB failure and need to return to other work. I'm sorry but I'm not going to be much help troubleshooting the driver issue within Linux. I maintain the CH340 needs appropriate drivers so that the DTR and RTS lines are driven via software in order to reset and put the ESP32 into boot mode. It sounds like you have a workable (albeit tedious) hardware solution for the time being.

While updating for a bulkhead antenna connector can the ESP module be exchanged with the current production module that can update from SD card?

A good question but unfortunately it is next to impossible to hot-air remove the ESP32 from the board without damaging the PCB or other parts of the device.

I'll have it repaired and boxed up for return.

@eshattow
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eshattow commented Oct 11, 2022 via email

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Oct 12, 2022

Hi Eshattow, for a luddite like myself, bringing up Debian from a bootable USB stick under our corporate environment is beyond what I'm capable of. We have instructions for setting up Ubuntu that is capable of software controlled bootloading. I hope these instructions can be of some use. If there is additional documentation that can be added to help other users, I welcome adding it.

@nseidle nseidle closed this as completed Oct 12, 2022
@eshattow
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eshattow commented Oct 12, 2022 via email

@nseidle
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nseidle commented Oct 12, 2022 •
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Yes, unit firmware was loaded with v2.3 to match the previous firmware that was on the unit.

If you'd prefer, I can ship it to @LeeLeahy2 for confirmation that it works un Ubuntu. It may add a week or two to the return time to you.

@eshattow
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Confirming #361 resolves this trouble. Thanks again!

@eshattow eshattow mentioned this issue Feb 13, 2023
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@eshattow eshattow mentioned this issue Nov 17, 2023
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@nseidle @Funda @eshattow @LeeLeahy2