Config Tool Beta_3 not working

[Peter Seddon]

There are still a number of people who seem to be unable to get the Config Tool to work correctly and are getting the dreaded "Something is wrong" message (I am one of them).

I used the serial port sniffer ASP to look at the data going from the Config Tool application and coming from the Ardupilot (fitted with shield but no GPS and ver 2.2 software). The attached file shows all the activity including setting up the port and then finally sending and receiving data with the data in Hex when I press Write to write blank data to the A/Pilot.

It seems a block of data is sent to the A/Pilot and that it responds.

Can Jordi or Chris tell what is happening or not happening?

regards Peter

[Chris Anderson]

Peter, can you tell us which FTDI cable you're using? We can't get the Sparkfun ones to work, but the DIY Drones/Adafruit one works fine...

[Peter Seddon]

I am using a USB cable that I think came from Sparkfun, but it maybe one I already had. I tried three others that have come from various sources and in different USB ports on my PC and on two A/pilots - still something wrong!!

For the serial side I am using about 3" of wire to a socket that plugs into the A/Pilot. I do this so I can use the FTDI for other projects. It is wired one to one but with the 3.3v wire missing.

Peter

[Chris Anderson]

I didn't mean the USB cable but the actual FTDI chip. I assume you're using the Sparkfun FTDI board. That's the one we can't get to work, either, and we're not sure why. Jordi can release the code to the config utility if there's anyone out there would like to look into it. In the meantime, we're recommending that people use the DIY Drones or Adafruit FTDI, which work fine.

[Peter Seddon]

Oops! Yes I am using the Sparkfun FTDI board.

And yet the Saprkfun FTDI works with the Arduino programmer - mmmm!

regards Peter

[Peter Seddon]

Partial Success - at last

I compared the Adafruit and Sparkfun FTDI schematics and noticed that there were two differences with Sparkfun's. First the VCCIO was connected to the 3.3v line via the link SJ1 and not to Vcc (+5v) and second the reset (pin 19) was left open rather than being connected to Vcc.

I disconnected SJ1 and linked pin 4 to pin 20 and then linked pin 20 to pin 19.

Guess what I get a successful write!! However the Read says it still cannot - but I have not loaded any data. On my second A/Pilot board I get a successful read but not write!

I will keep testing and see if I can get any nearer to a complete solution with real data and the shield fitted etc.

regards Peter

[Thomas J Coyle III]

Chris,

Is it possible to get a schematic of the Adafruit FTDI cable and compare it to the latest (red) Sparkfun 3.3v FTDI board? A possible explanation may be an electrical configuration issue between the Sparkfun and Adafruit FTDI implementations.

Just a thought.

Regards,
TCIII

[Jordi Muñoz]

Hello Peter,

Sorry but i can't see directly any problem. I must have the hardware in my hands in order to debug. Mine is working perfectly, i don't see the way to repair something that is working for me =). The only way to solve this issue i guess is until an expert in programming that is experienced in the problem and understands the ISP protocol and all the variables is the one that will tell me exactly what the problem is in his current hardware. I can do it but i toll you i need the hardware in my hands.

[Peter Seddon]

Jordi,

See my reply above. I think I am on the way to a solution by wiring the FT232RL chip as per the data sheet and Adafruit - but I may be proved wrong (again!).

regards Peter

[Jordi Muñoz]

The data sheet of the cable is here:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_TTL232R3V3.pdf

and the data sheet of the sparksucks module is here:
http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/DevTools/Arduino/FTDI%20Basic.pdf

The only difference i can tell is that the reset signal in one is #RTS (FTDI cable) and in SF module is connected the DTR. I ignore whats going on...

[Jordi Muñoz]

If my calculations are correct maybe i can tweak the utility to pull down the DTR to reset the board, i don't know. I have the 3.3V sparkfun module and is working fine... Only the one is wrong i guess is the earlier versions (5volts).

[Matias Vidoni]

When I try to upload with the sparkfun cable, I get the error "Value was either too large or too small for an Int32"
Is that the erro because of the cable type or why is that error?
Thanks

[Matias Vidoni]

I think I solved this problem.
It has to do with the region settings in windows, so I have to replace decimal points with commas.
Btw, I just realized that I only can use 5 decimal positions only, with 6 decimal positions I can not upload.