Hello,
I've just assembled my trio of modules, an emonTx, emonGLCD and an emonBase. The two first work as a charm, but the emonBase has some problems with ethernet.
If I run the "NanodeRF_Power_RTCrelay_GLCDtemp" sketch on it, I get the following output:
[webClient]
DHCP status: 0
2 {rf_fail:1}
DHCP status: 0
emonTx data rx2 {rf_fail:0,power1:36,voltage:3293}
DHCP status: 0
2 {rf_fail:1}
DHCP status: 0
emonTx data rx2 {rf_fail:0,power1:36,voltage:3293}
DHCP status: 0
2 {rf_fail:1}
DHCP status: 0
...
This continues with a reset after 10 DHCP fails. To me it seems that at least the ATMega and the RF work as intended.
If then try to use a static IP the result is pretty much the same, http://pastebin.com/mZuXpviQ . Also the the red LED lights up after the first failed send, as it should. I tried the plain EtherCard/testDHCP -sketch, but the results are the same. All the libraries and sketches are the most recent versions (downloaded 23.5.2012).
The link&activity LEDs light up ONLY when connected to my Airport Extreme, but not with my other 1000/100/10-switch or when connected directly to my computer. Tried to manually configure the switch to use 10Base-T with Half- or Full-duplex, no change. Even though the port indicates that there's a link, no data seems to get through (DHCP fails, no success /w static adressess)
All three ICs seem to be getting a stable 3.30V while running, so this should rule out the bad voltage regulators? The "brown-out-fix-cap" is installed.
I've tried to look for bad solders, but my experience with electronics doesn't seem to be enough to find them. I can post some pictures if someone wants to take a look.
Is there any easy way to rule out if the ENC28J6 or 74HCT125 are faulty? Also, the 25Mhz crystal is not the same as in the kit because mine didn't have one included. Could this be the cause for problems?
Re: emonbase (nanodeRF) ethernet not working
Hi Jon,
Your correct in thinking that the ATmega and the RFM12B seem to be working fine (data is being received from the emonTx). The problem is with the ENC28J60, it doesn't see to be able to obtain an IP address or connect via static IP. I don't think the fault is down to the voltage regulators, since the ENC28J60 is responding which means it should have sufficient power.
Apologies for the kit missing a crystal. We're happy to send you one out (I've sent you an email). What crystal did you use? Is is 25Mhz?
Re: emonbase (nanodeRF) ethernet not working
The current crystal is 25.000Mhz; has the markings "TQ5300", "TQG9105" and is sized 3x10x12mm. I couldn't find a datasheet on it, and it was the only one my local store had. I'll try to get an oscilloscope so that I can find out what frequency it outputs with these caps on the board. I'll know for sure if it's the problem when I get the crystal you're about to send.
I did some searching for bad solder joints and splattered solder, fixed what little I could find but the problem still presists. At least the EtherCard library seems to think the chip is working: neither ether.initialize() or ether.doBIST() returns an error.
As far as the Link-LED when using DHCP, It turns on when connected, but then turns off two times for a couple of seconds with the connector in place. After it lights up the third time the serial output reports that the DHCP has failed. This kind of feels like the ENC28J60 would be resetting, but I don't know how to debug it any further.
Re: emonbase (nanodeRF) ethernet not working
The missing crystal is packaged up and will be shipped to you first thing tomorrow.
Re: emonbase (nanodeRF) ethernet not working
All is well!
The replacement crystal you sent fixed the problem for me. The problem then seems to have been that the crystal I sourced had so much differing specs that the bundled caps were not a match for it. This whole thing could have been avoided if I had got a datasheet or had a meter to find out the specs for my crystal.
Anyhow, thank you so much for the support and the working crystal! Time to get started with my projects. :)