PPK2 shows 60mA without power or DUT

[_rp_]

Hi,

just got my PPK2 and noticed some strange behavior:

the only thing connected is USB data/power, no DUT. Power output is off. If you start logging it displays some micro amps (pic 1). Turning power on you see a brief spike (pic 2) but after turning power off again it jumps to 60 mAmps (pic 3) and stays there even after stopping and starting to log again. This also happens if a DUT is connected.

The micro amps will only be displayed after turning on the PPK2 after turning on/off power it will stay at those 60 mAmps. Disconnecting / connecting the PPK2 won't change that.

The software version is 4.3.1

What's going on?

RP

[Priyanka]

Hi,

I am able to reproduce it at my end as well. I am discussing this with experts at the moment and will get back to you.

Priyanka

[Priyanka]

Hi,

Could you clarify one thing?

At my end, when I enable and disable the power output , I get a current spike of 60mA, just momentarily.

Do you mean to say that you also get this, but then it stays that way, stuck at 60mA, during both instances? (i.e. when you on or off power output)

-Priyanka

[_rp_]

Correct, it stays at around 60 mA regardless of output power setting.

RP

[Priyanka]

This could be some issue on your PPK2. Could you check if there is any hardware issue on your PPK2? Do you have any other PPK2 to test on?

What is your PPK2 version number ? (you can find it on the white sticker on the PPK2)

-Priyanka

[_rp_]

I only have one

[Priyanka]

Have you used this PPK2 before? 

I really feel that something's gone wrong on your PPK2 kit.

-Priyanka

[_rp_]

The PPK2 is new so I only did some testing using a Raspberry Pi Zero.

The problem seams to be related to the supply voltage. At 3.9 volts the level stays at almost zero and the measurements are the same as those of an older Monsoon Power Monitor I have (I don't like that one, because the software is plain awful).

If the power output is off, without a DUT, and you move the supply voltage closer to 5 volts, you can see that the amps actually go up.

[Priyanka]

Hi,

Since you say that it depends on the supply voltage, even with no DUT, then this should be an issue with the PPK2.

Are you able to reproduce this using the same PPK2, on another PC?

Also, have you tried changing the USB cable connected?

Do you get this in both modes? (Amperemeter and Sourcemeter mode)

Could you try to update the app, and the PPK2 firmware as such ?

-Priyanka

[_rp_]

Hi,

I checked it on another PC with a different OS (Windows instead of Linux, and a different cable) and it behaves the same. In amp mode it works fine with 3.3 volts but instantly jumps and stays at 51 amps with 5 volts.

I use nRf Connect 5.2.1 and Profiler 4.3.1.

How do you check / update the firmware? I couldn't find anything obvious.

RP

[Priyanka]

Hi,

_rp_ said:

but instantly jumps and stays at 51 amps with 5 volts

Do you mean 51mA ? 

_rp_ said:

How do you check / update the firmware?

If your firmware is outdated, then you should get a prompt to update it when opening the power profiler app and selecting your device.

If you are not getting the prompt, then your device might have the latest firmware, or, there might be a bug or some issue which is causing this.

Could you try this re-programming method mentioned in this ticket?

-Priyanka

[_rp_]

51 mA, of course.

I'll try the re-programming...

[_rp_]

it did re-program the device but, unfortunately, no change.