STEVAL-WBC86TX transmitter board locked — I²C reset not working

[YLiu327]

Hello ST community,

I have two STEVAL-WBC86TX transmitter boards that appear to be locked. The boards still charge a phone when powered, but the I²C reset tool provided by ST cannot communicate with the main IC. I've tried FT260 recovery tool. 

I would like to know whether there is a recovery or reprogramming method.

Thank you for any guidance.

[Didier HERROUIN]

Dear YLiu327,

You can try with the recover tool attached.

It should reset and erase the chipset, then you can use the GUI to re-load the config/patch files selection "empty" at connection.

[YLiu327]

Hi, this is the recovery tool that I've tried. However, it gave the chip ID 0xFFFF. 

any other options? 

Because I can see that both R14 and R16 are lit. 

[Didier HERROUIN]

Dear YLiu327,

It could mean that you chipset is now blank.

When you try to connect the GUI, select "Empty" instead of Rx/Tx: If it is able to connect, then, you can program the chipset. If not, the FTDI chipset may be damaged and you should test an external USB-I2C converter (removing jumpers on P2 and connecting SCL, SDA and GND to this connector).

[YLiu327]

    

Hi Didier, 

what we have currently for external USB-I2C converter is C232HM-DDHSL-0, I removed the jumpers on the P2 of the 86Tx. 

based on the led signal of R14 the connection is there, 

but the recovery tool could not find the connection, I tired to scan if there is an connection actually between the converter and 86tx, or if I can find the device on the address 0x61, but it pop up that it has many devices on every single address. which is very confusing. 

Do you recommend any particular external USB-I2C converter that is good for our case here?
currently we could not connect the GUI/recovery tool to both transmitters.

[Didier HERROUIN]

Dear YLiu327,

I don't think that the USB-I2C converter should be specific.

On the picture you sent, I am not sure to see the right connections:
- the jumper on P1 should be in the position "middle" if you use the USB-C a power supply input
- the wires from your external USB-I2C converter should be connected on the "right side" of P2 connector : GND, SDA and SCL (considering that your converter includes pull-ups).

[YLiu327]

Dear Didier,

1. yes I have confirmed that the jumper is connected to the power source, which is the case "middle" in your reply.

2. I have tried both sides of the P2 SCL, SDA and GND, only one side, as shown in pic, had the R14 led on,

but both sides showed exact same results when i tried to find the board at 0x61. 

it showed 117 devices being on all addresses, which makes me feel that the board is actually not connected to the i2C converter. 

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this is also the case of both transmitters.