Cannot flash XM125 module any more

Sensors Distance
1

I am trying to use the XM125 pulsed radar breakout board.
Initially, I managed to flash the Acconeer Exploration Tool binary to the board from the STM32CubeProgrammer tool.
Hoever, the Exploration Tool itself gave me a timeout on the serial connection (as others are reporting too in different discussions).
I then flashed the Exploration Tool binary again, from within the Exploration Tool itself. This also seemed successful. However, the tool still gave the timeout error.

However, ever since, I am unable to flash the module again.
Both from STM32CubeProgrammer and from the Explorer Tool, I get an error saying that it cannot connect to the board in boot mode. The error message from STM32CubeProgrammer is:

Error: Activating device: KO. Please, verify the boot mode configuration and check the serial port configuration. Reset your device then try again…

From the Explorer Tool the error message is:

synchronization failed for ‘COM13’, make sure device is in DFU mode

I am pretty sure I am pressing the button in the right way and order and that the USB driver is OK.

I have tried it also on different PCs with the same result.
I am stuck on what to try next.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

2

First I would try a different known-good usb cable

Make sure you follow the correct button sequence and uart baud settings Flashing Firmware to the XM125 - SparkFun Qwiic Pulsed Coherent Radar Sensor Breakout - Acconeer XM125 Hookup Guide

It also might be worth trying the other tool (python exploration tool)…there are instructions @ the links on the left side of the page

3

Hi @mgeilen
Any luck on the issue?
(I’ve just bought the board and can’t flash eveon once.)

Dear Support
The below is a screenshot from serial port monitoring. Does it mean there’s a communication between PC and board?

image
image1306×380 42.9 KB

Please advise.
Thank you

4

Does a COM port appear when plugged in? Test using alternate cables & ports if necessary

5

Mine turned out to be broken.
At least, I replaced it and the replacement worked fine.

2 Likes
6

Dear @TS-Russell
The com port appears in the windows device manager. As suggested, I’ve tested other data cables (usb-a to sub-c, usb-c to usb-c) on different pc’s with no luck. Is there a way to check if the board is in the correct boot mode using multimeter or in any other way?
Thank you

ps. This is my session in STM32CubeProrammer:
16:10:27:149 : UR connection mode is defined with the HWrst reset mode
16:10:27:151 : RTS low
16:10:27:151 : DTR low
16:10:27:157 : Serial Port COM8 is successfully opened.
16:10:27:157 : Port configuration: parity = even, baudrate = 115200, data-bit = 8, stop-bit = 1.0, flow-control = off
16:10:27:157 : No Init bits value is : 0
16:10:27:157 : Sending init command:
16:10:27:159 : byte 0x7F sent successfully to target
16:10:29:159 : Wait ends after 1 loop, dataready = 0, delay = 2001
16:10:29:159 : Timeout error occured while waiting for acknowledgement.
16:10:29:159 : No response from target received
16:10:29:159 : Retrying UART init connection…
16:10:29:159 : byte 0x7F sent successfully to target
16:10:29:259 : Wait ends after 1 loop, dataready = 0, delay = 101
16:10:29:259 : Timeout error occured while waiting for acknowledgement.
16:10:29:259 : No response from target received
16:10:29:259 : Error: Activating device: KO. Please, verify the boot mode configuration and check the serial port configuration. Reset your device then try again…
16:10:29:295 : UART PORT CLOSE

7

Hi
I did one more check. I called
./python -m acconeer.exptool.flash flash XM125 --port COM4 --image acc_exploration_server_a121.bin

The result:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File “runpy.py”, line 197, in _run_module_as_main
File “runpy.py”, line 87, in run_code
File “D:\radar\portable_exploration_tool\tools\python-3.9.10-embed-amd64\lib\site-packages\acconeer\exptool\flash_main.py”, line 7, in
main()
File “D:\radar\portable_exploration_tool\tools\python-3.9.10-embed-amd64\lib\site-packages\acconeer\exptool\flash_flasher.py”, line 406, in main
_flash(args)
File “D:\radar\portable_exploration_tool\tools\python-3.9.10-embed-amd64\lib\site-packages\acconeer\exptool\flash_flasher.py”, line 313, in _flash
flash_image(
File “D:\radar\portable_exploration_tool\tools\python-3.9.10-embed-amd64\lib\site-packages\acconeer\exptool\flash_flasher.py”, line 101, in flash_image
bootloader.flash(flash_device, serial_device_name, image_path, progress_callback)
File “D:\radar\portable_exploration_tool\tools\python-3.9.10-embed-amd64\lib\site-packages\acconeer\exptool\flash_stm32uart_stm32flasher.py”, line 56, in flash
flasher.sync()
File “D:\radar\portable_exploration_tool\tools\python-3.9.10-embed-amd64\lib\site-packages\acconeer\exptool\flash_stm32uart_stm32flasher.py”, line 182, in sync
raise Stm32FlashException(msg)
acconeer.exptool.flash._stm32uart._stm32flasher.Stm32FlashException: DFU synchronization failed for ‘COM4’, make sure device is in DFU mode
Please advise.
Thank you

8

Hardware Overview - SparkFun Qwiic Pulsed Coherent Radar Sensor Breakout - Acconeer XM125 Hookup Guide Has a bit of advice

Have you made any progress while I was out?

9

I reported an issue to your distributor, technical support checked the unit, and it turned out to be faulty. I’m now waiting for a replacement.
Thank you for your help.

1 Like
10

Did you remove the firmware by any chance?

11

No, just followed the official docs
Flashing Firmware to the XM125 - SparkFun Qwiic Pulsed Coherent Radar Sensor Breakout - Acconeer XM125 Hookup Guide

12

I received another (replaced) unit which works fine.
Best Regards

1 Like
13

Good to hear! Happy hacking!

1 Like