MM912J637 - is it possible to prgram them so VDDX doesn't startup?

[igw]

Hi all,

We are finding a significant proportion of our MM912J637 devices not programming. It is possibly as high as 1 in 10.

Some of the failing devices are brand new and some of them have been programmed before.

When I debug them I find that the VDDX power supply has not started up. RESET and RESET_A are both low - but this is not surprising if the supplies are off.

I have tried waking them up using the PTB3 input - no go.

An earlier design revision programmed just fine.  Both this earlier design and this particular iteration has a small issue where the BKGD/MODC is pulled up to a separate 5V supply which could rise slightly (a few ms) earlier or later than the VDDX supply. But this has not caused issues in the past (and this is now fixed in a forthcoming spin of the design).

What could stop VDDX starting up after initial power up?

Could software cause such a lock up?

Could some programming procedure cause such a problem?

We are using a P&E Multilink Universal and also a P&E Cyclone Pro (in both USB and Standalone modes). Both perform the same.  I have tried unsecuring the parts but the programmers can find these "bricked" units; but have no trouble finding a normal device.

The Cyclone Pro reports a 0x0005 0x000C timing error when it attempts to program one of these bad devices.

many thanks,

Ian

Message was edited by: Ian Wilson

[alexis]

Hi Ian,

Please find my comments below:
What could stop VDDX starting up after initial power up?

[AA] When the analog die is set into sleep mode both VDDX, VDDH are turned off.

Could software cause such a lock up?

[AA] Yes, if the software is setting the product into sleep mode. This is done through OPM bits of the PCR_CTL.

If no wake-up were set my advice is to set the BDM hardware and to short the VDDL to ground. Normally there you shall be able to reprogram the part.

Could some programming procedure cause such a problem?

[AA] Not at my knowledge.

Other thought:

When programming the first time, I recommend you to add a 470nF capacitor between reset pin and gnd pin of the P&E Multilink and Cyclone Pro. This is to avoid that the watchdog of the analog die (driving RESETA) is interrupting the programming. Notice that this capacitor has to be located on the programming tool not on the application board.

Let me know if this help. Best regards,

Alexis