X5000 MCU Debug Cable

I want to order a 6 pin ftdi usb-ttl cable to log the MCU data on startup. Apparently the ftdi usb cable is offered in 3.3 volt and 5 volt versions. Which one is correct for attaching to the MCU debug header on the X5000 motherboard?

[EDIT] The information is on pages 24 and 36 of the Cyrus Technical Reference Manual - 3.3 volts.

Can you create a video or guide on debugging the MCU when you get the cable?

Sure, I'll put post the steps and how I get along with it. I just ordered the cable. Amazon says I'll should see it by 12/7.

@all

I have an MCU connected to my X5000, and it has been very helpful!

I recently upgraded my FTDI device with this one from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RBKCW3S?p ... o2ov_dt_b_product_details

The connection was easy. The MCU header is labeled "DEBUG FTDI" and is located near the PCI connectors. The header has 6 pins.
The cable has 3 wires, Black, Green, and White. Here is how I have it connected:
PIN - Cable
1 - Black
4 - White
5 - Green

To access the MCU I use screen on Linux:

$screen /dev/ttyUSB1 38400

Here is some of the output:

>> help

command description
======= ======================================================
help Print this help list
id Identify (report h/w and f/w revisions)
id date Identify (report h/w and f/w revisions build date)
p Power up all supplies
s Shut down all supplies
q Toggle printing
v Print voltages and temperatures
OK
>> v

- vcc_cpld: 3.33
- vdd_3v3_xorro: 3.17
- vdd_1v0_idt: 1.00
- vdd_1v0_xorro: 1.00
- vdd_3v3: 3.32
- vdd_2v5: 2.47
- vdd_1v2_eth: 1.19
- vdd_pl: 1.03
- vdd_ca: 1.09
- vdd_cb: 1.09
- vdd_ddr3_io: 1.49
- vdd_xvdd_fl: 1.80


- pcb_temp: 42 deg C
- cpu_temp: 58 deg C
- pex_temp: 72 deg C


- FAN RPM: 0

OK

For the record, the serial connection settings are:
* 38400 Baud
* 8 bit data
* No Partiy
* 1 Stop bit
* No Flow Control

Enjoy!

Bill "tekmage" Borsari

That's Great!
Thank You

@tekmage

Didn't you have some issues with your X5? Did you resolve them?

@rjd324

I was having an issue with the machine randomly shutting down. The error message was coming out on the MCU:

>> ERROR: vdd_3v3_xorro out of range. Expected 3.30, got 2.96
WARNING: Supplies Turned off. Shutting down.
ATX supply turned off.

It looks like it was the PSU. I bought one of those excellent battery-powered air blowers and chased LOTS of dust bunnies away. After that, it has been much more stable.

Thanks for asking.

@all

Talking cables!

I got my hands on the official XMOS USB dongle in 2021 and dabbled with it for a while on my X5000, Lyle Haze helped as much he could considering he's on the X1000.

Got it working but very unstable with the XMOS software(PC/Mac), dropouts here and there.

Anyone else tried and failed/suceeded?

@khayoz

Not exactly sure what you did. This dongle is a xtag debugger which you've connected to your xtag header on de X5000?

And then tried to do some development with xTimeComposer?

@geenam

Exactly that!

But it was to glitchy to know if uploads was faulty or dongle was faulty or xTimeComp was buggy.

@khayoz

Jtag between cpld and xmos works well.

In case of an external debugger, the cpld needs to hi-Z some jtag signals and does buffer TDI as well.

I am afraid that this was never properly tested

If possible, you could try to lower jtag clock speed.

@geennaam

Thanks will try that when I find the dongle again,
been homeless and moved house since 2021.

It's somewhere in a box marked "Elektronik" ;).