Hi,

> (lesson learned: use lead for hand soldering of *QFP packages), we
> managed to properly replace the two chips.
>

um..while running into this, lead hand soldering is preferred.


> VIDEO INPUT
> Replacement of the ADV7181 chip on my board restored the video input
> functionality. This supports the theory that the chip was damaged
> because of a voltage surge coming from my camera when it died.
> Let's just add the Littelfuse transient voltage suppression devices on
> the video input connectors of the RC3.
>

will add  Littlefuse V9MLA0402 placed in the rear of each video input
connector.
http://www.littelfuse.com/products/Varistors/Multilater+Varistors+%28MLV%29/ML/V9MLA0402.html


> AUDIO
> After replacement of the codec, when playing the test tone with the test
> program, the audio output was remarkably noise-free.
>

>From symptoms below you have had, i think that I don't need to sample WM
codes. or you still want me to have some? as meanwhile you fine tune
timing-related FPGA design bug that causes the AC97 link to become randomly
corrupted, so I confirm with that later?


> However, when running Flickernoise, the demo firmware, or the recording
> tests of the test program, one or more of the following symptoms appear
> (they are very marked with Flickernoise):
> 1. "white" noise comparable to that of the LM4550 codec
>

ADC=>
SNR A-weighted : 85dB(WM), 90dB(LM); typ.
Frequency response: 19.2KHz(WM), 20KHz(LM); max.
DAC=>
SNR A-weighted : 95dB(WM), 89dB(LM); typ.
Frequency response: 19.2KHz(WM), 20~21KHz(LM); max.
Stop Band Rejection: 28.8KHz(WM), 70dB(LM)
Out of Band Energy: -40dB(WM, LM)

same resolutions: 18bits
WM has more spec. ADC descriptions show up in datasheet then LM.
Not sure which one is the key.


> 2. very loud noises, beeps and screeches, sometimes periodic, happening
> especially with Flickernoise and the demo firmware. They depend on the
> activity of the software, e.g. moving windows, typing text, activating
> certain functions affect the produced noises very significantly.
>

The link
http://www.milkymist.org/IMG_0108.MOV  shows:
a Flickernoise 0.3 (built Mar 26 2011), Platform: SoC1.0 RC3, RC1 board
Mine is Flikernoise 0.1 (built Nov 19 2010), SoC1.0 RC1, RC2 board which is
LM4550B codec, it doesn't produce very loud noises like yours related moving
windows, etc.


> My guess is that there is some subtle and probably timing-related FPGA
> design bug that causes the AC97 link to become randomly corrupted
> depending on other SoC activity. This would give a simple explanation to
> the audio problems we have seen so far:
> 1. "white" noise on the ML401: same bug, same noise
> 2. loud noises with WM9707: the two different codecs react differently
> to the AC97 corruption (maybe because of slightly different timing
> specs)
>

yes, even WM9707 is worse as above.


> 3. audio input apparently not working in Flickernoise on Norman's board.
> With the help of Murphy's law, process variations could have hit the
> sweet spot that made the audio input pass the factory test and fail in
> Flickernoise, because of different SoC activity with the test program
> and Flickernoise.
>

so as a production side,  I'd prefer to use test program rather than use
Flikernoise, or we must to use Flickernoise to test M1?


> Other (improbable) suspects could be:
> 1. crosstalk, i.e. strong SDRAM signals aggressing the AC97 link. The
> PCB layout has a good separation between the two, and increasing the
> AC97 drive to 24mA on the FPGA does not change anything to the problems.
> So this is unlikely.
>

yes, I don't think this could be the real cause since I was doubt that VGA
RGB digital affects AC97 link, from last experiment(pulling low) this
exactly eliminate my concerns on inner layer induced from rgb. It's quite a
same routing that U14 Dram routes run inside layer with good ground
seperately to AC97 links.


> 2. strong power supply noise - we did not measure any
>

We didn't use a low ESR capacitor recommended on C235 output capacitor. I
can replace tantalum one for a experiment about ripples on analog power.
See www.avx.com/docs/techinfo/tantbench.pdf

-Adam
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