QuickLogic Thing Plus (EOS S3) doesn't enter upload mode

Development Boards FPGA Boards
1

I have a QuickLogic Thing Plus (EOS S3) that I am trying to flash over usb.

I am trying to put the device into flash mode per the instructions at https://sensiml.com/documentation/firmw … os-s3.html (the official hookup guide does not include instructions to flash via usb, only via Jlink).

The instructions say to press the user button while the board is blinking blue during the first 5 seconds, and then the LED will flash green. When I press the user button during the blue blinking, I see the LED turn green for about 1 second, and then it goes back to flashing blue.

I have attempted this procedure multiple times and have not had any success.

The board also does power up with usb-c to usb-c cables, the LED only turns on when it is plugged in with a usb-a to usb-c cable. I have tried multiple cables and computers and have consistently seen this behavior.

Could this be a defective board, or is there something I am doing incorrectly to get the board into upload mode?

2

It sounds like you are taking the correct steps; I’m inclined to believe it’s a screwy board

If you got it from us directly, head over to Return Policy - SparkFun Electronics and fill out the form (it helps if you reference/link this post), if purchased from a vendor do the same per their method

3

Thanks for the quick response, it was ordered directly from you so I filed an RMA request.

4

I just received the replacement board for this RMA request and am seeing the exact same behavior from the new Quicklogic board.

I first tried a USB-C to USB-C cable and the board did not power up. I used the same cable on the same port for 2 other USB-C devices and they powered up and worked correctly. Attaching either the original or replacement board both did not get power. I tried 2 other USB-C to USB-C cables and saw the same behavior.

I then tried a USB-A to USB-C cable and again saw it working with 2 unrelated devices. This time, the QuickLogic board did receive power, blinked blue 5 times, and I was able to reset them and access the diagnostic application over serial. I saw the same results with a second A-C cable.

I then tried a battery on both QuickLogic boards. I attached a battery to another Feather board and saw it working, then attached it to the QuickLogic boards and they did receive power and blinked blue 5 times when reset.

Using both a battery and a USB cable, I was able to access the diagnostics and see the device over serial only on the A-C cable, not with any of the C-C ones. The charging light only lit up using the A-C cables, and not with any of the C-C cables.

At this point I again tried to flash either device using the instructions linked in the first post. The instructions say to press the user button while the board is flashing blue after resetting. The light should then flash green and stay flashing green to indicate upload mode. However, I see the light turn green for about 1 second, then start flashing blue again. I have attempted this at least 10 times on each of the QuickLogic boards and see the exact same results.

I have been unable to get either device to stay in upload mode and allow me to upload new code.

5

I am still unable to enter upload mode, but think I found the problem with USB-C to C cables.

The schematic at https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/7/0/b/4 … ematic.pdf shows that the CC pins for the USB-C connector are unconnected. My understanding is that without these pins, a host device cannot tell that a device is plugged in. If this is the case, these boards are not compatible with C-C cables. Can you confirm?

6

Hi Trano,

Were you ever able to enter upload mode? I recently purchased a device too and the exact frustrating thing is happening to me.

Thanks.

7

Wondering if anyone has found a fix… I have three boards, all of them are accessible via Serial Monitor but none of them go into programming mode.

8

We are investigating the matter and hope to have more information soon.

If anyone wishes to send their device(s) back in the meantime, please fill out a return ticket and we will get you taken care of:

https://www.sparkfun.com/returns

9

Using a JLink mini EDU, I was able to reflash the bootloader, as stated on https://forum.quicklogic.com/viewtopic.php?t=29. This is for the “original” Quickfeather Quicklogic, but this guide is compatible. However, there is one error on the page. The git repository which contains the factory bootloader uses the name “qf_loadflash.bin” not “ql_loadflash.bin” as stated in the guide. Following the rest of the guide solved the problem for all three boards.

For those who don’t have a JLink debugger and are thinking of using OpenOCD. I have tried this with a STLink V2 and got assistance in the IRC channel from someone more knowledgable. Currently, the OpenOCD drivers only support debugging and not flashing. There is no functional flash driver for the EOS S3 chip as of now (it doens’t recognize the chip), which would enable OpenOCD to flash the EOS S3. This makes me believe that a JLink device is required to recover the boards.