Re: [Emc-users] For the attention of Anyone using a 7i90 through SPI

[Gene Heskett]

On Wednesday 04 April 2018 16:17:08 Peter C. Wallace wrote:

> On Wed, 4 Apr 2018, Gene Heskett wrote:
> > Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2018 07:40:53 -0400
> > From: Gene Heskett 
> > Reply-To: "Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC)"
> > 
> > To: emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> > Subject: Re: [Emc-users] For the attention of Anyone using a 7i90
> > through SPI
> >
> > On Wednesday 04 April 2018 05:20:17 andy pugh wrote:
> >> A bug in the smart-serial driver was, until recently, masking a bug
> >> in the 7i90 SPI firmware.
> >>
> >> Mesa have fixed the bug and re-issued the bitfiles.
> >>
> >> The problem probably only affects systems using a 7i90 controlled
> >> through an SPI link and _also_ using smart-serial peripherals
> >> connected to the 7i90.
> >>
> >> More details on the bug tracker here:
> >> https://github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc/issues/412#issuecomment-377253
> >>608
> >
> > I've not downloaded the new bit files yet. But it needs the 7i90
> > reset to an epp interface I'd assume in order for mesaflash to be
> > able to reprogram the card, correct?
>
> Its depends, some hosts can update firmware via SPI (requires
> /dev/spidev) but I think RSPI is an exception but am not sure
>
> > That imply's a complete mechanical disassembly because the 7i90 is
> > at the bottom of a stack of cards, and will need connected to a
> > machine with a parport.
> >
> > With the pi turned upside down, which allows an spi cable only about
> > an inch long.  And I am not using any smart serial stuff, my 7i90's
> > gpio's are all directly connected to the hardware. So is it even
> > recommended that I reflash the 7i90 in my lathes application?  IOW,
> > if the fixed driver (because apt has updated it,) is used with the
> > unfixed firmware, is there a detectable effect/problem?
> >
> > Because the teardown to do that reflash is a cast iron pita, I'd be
> > time and effort ahead to order another 7i90HD, program it, and just
> > swap it out, I might be able to do that in one long day. Maybe 2,
> > depending on how many times Dee interrupts me as she's home now, but
> > still hopping 4" at a time on her good leg and a walker just to get
> > to the potty chair. So I'm chief cook and bottle washer in addition
> > to potty chair dumper/cleaner. :)
> >
> > What is needed for this, is a mesaflash for spi. Is that even
> > possible to do, Peter?
>
> If you dont see any issues and dont use sserial devices I woudl not
> bother updating the firmware

 Thank you Peter and Cheers, Gene Heskett

-- 
Cheers, Gene Heskett
--
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 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
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Re: [Emc-users] For the attention of Anyone using a 7i90 through SPI

[Peter C. Wallace]

On Wed, 4 Apr 2018, Gene Heskett wrote:


Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2018 07:40:53 -0400
From: Gene Heskett 
Reply-To: "Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC)"

To: emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
Subject: Re: [Emc-users] For the attention of Anyone using a 7i90 through SPI

On Wednesday 04 April 2018 05:20:17 andy pugh wrote:


A bug in the smart-serial driver was, until recently, masking a bug in
the 7i90 SPI firmware.

Mesa have fixed the bug and re-issued the bitfiles.

The problem probably only affects systems using a 7i90 controlled
through an SPI link and _also_ using smart-serial peripherals
connected to the 7i90.

More details on the bug tracker here:
https://github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc/issues/412#issuecomment-377253608


I've not downloaded the new bit files yet. But it needs the 7i90 reset to
an epp interface I'd assume in order for mesaflash to be able to
reprogram the card, correct?


Its depends, some hosts can update firmware via SPI (requires /dev/spidev) but 
I think RSPI is an exception but am not sure




That imply's a complete mechanical disassembly because the 7i90 is at the
bottom of a stack of cards, and will need connected to a machine with a
parport.

With the pi turned upside down, which allows an spi cable only about an
inch long.  And I am not using any smart serial stuff, my 7i90's gpio's
are all directly connected to the hardware. So is it even recommended
that I reflash the 7i90 in my lathes application?  IOW, if the fixed
driver (because apt has updated it,) is used with the unfixed firmware,
is there a detectable effect/problem?

Because the teardown to do that reflash is a cast iron pita, I'd be time
and effort ahead to order another 7i90HD, program it, and just swap it
out, I might be able to do that in one long day. Maybe 2, depending on
how many times Dee interrupts me as she's home now, but still hopping 4"
at a time on her good leg and a walker just to get to the potty chair.
So I'm chief cook and bottle washer in addition to potty chair
dumper/cleaner. :)

What is needed for this, is a mesaflash for spi. Is that even possible to
do, Peter?



If you dont see any issues and dont use sserial devices I woudl not bother 
updating the firmware





Thanks and Cheers, Gene Heskett
--
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Genes Web page 

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Peter Wallace
Mesa Electronics

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Re: [Emc-users] For the attention of Anyone using a 7i90 through SPI

[Gene Heskett]

On Wednesday 04 April 2018 05:20:17 andy pugh wrote:

> A bug in the smart-serial driver was, until recently, masking a bug in
> the 7i90 SPI firmware.
>
> Mesa have fixed the bug and re-issued the bitfiles.
>
> The problem probably only affects systems using a 7i90 controlled
> through an SPI link and _also_ using smart-serial peripherals
> connected to the 7i90.
>
> More details on the bug tracker here:
> https://github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc/issues/412#issuecomment-377253608

I've not downloaded the new bit files yet. But it needs the 7i90 reset to 
an epp interface I'd assume in order for mesaflash to be able to 
reprogram the card, correct?

That imply's a complete mechanical disassembly because the 7i90 is at the 
bottom of a stack of cards, and will need connected to a machine with a 
parport. 

With the pi turned upside down, which allows an spi cable only about an 
inch long.  And I am not using any smart serial stuff, my 7i90's gpio's 
are all directly connected to the hardware. So is it even recommended 
that I reflash the 7i90 in my lathes application?  IOW, if the fixed 
driver (because apt has updated it,) is used with the unfixed firmware, 
is there a detectable effect/problem?

Because the teardown to do that reflash is a cast iron pita, I'd be time 
and effort ahead to order another 7i90HD, program it, and just swap it 
out, I might be able to do that in one long day. Maybe 2, depending on 
how many times Dee interrupts me as she's home now, but still hopping 4" 
at a time on her good leg and a walker just to get to the potty chair. 
So I'm chief cook and bottle washer in addition to potty chair 
dumper/cleaner. :)

What is needed for this, is a mesaflash for spi. Is that even possible to 
do, Peter?

Thanks and Cheers, Gene Heskett
-- 
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Genes Web page 

--
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
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