TFmini – now not responsive.

Hi, I purchased a Seeed TFmini from Rapid Electronics which arrived last week, yesterday was my first opportunity to use it. The setup is as follows:

5V supplied by a 3A bench power supply current limited to 300mA.

All connections are via Dupont jumper cable and a bread board.

Connection to the PC is via a USB->TTL adapter set to 3.3V. TFmini yellow cable is connected to the Rx of the USB->TTL and the white to Tx. The ground is linked between the bench power supply and the USB->TTL.

A logic analyser is also connected to the Tx and Rx.



The PC software was downloaded from Benewake and opened after setting the type and com port values where displayed on the graph and data could be seen on the analyser. I don’t have a copy saved but it was as expected something like: 0x59 0x59 0xB4 0x00 0x?? 0x?? 0x07 0x00 0x?? on the TFmini Tx line.



I wanted to change the trigger source from internal trigger (free running) to external (single shot) to do this the following was entered into the device command box:

0x42 0x57 0x02 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01 0x02 this was seen on the TFmini RX line was echoed 0x42 0x57 0x02 0x01 0x00 0x00 0x01 0x02 on the Tx line.

Immediately followed by

0x42 0x57 0x02 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x40 this was seen on the TFmini RX line was echoed 0x42 0x57 0x02 0x01 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x40 on the Tx line.



I can’t remember if I restarted the TFmini at this point but the self-trigged values on the TFmini Tx line ceased. A single value could be requested by entering the following into the device command box:

0x42 0x57 0x02 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01 0x02 this was seen on the TFmini RX line was echoed 0x42 0x57 0x02 0x01 0x00 0x00 0x01 0x02 on the Tx line.

Immediately followed by

0x42 0x57 0x02 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x41 this was seen on the TFmini RX line was echoed 0x42 0x57 0x02 0x01 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x41 on the Tx line.

This was followed by the value something like: 0x59 0x59 0xB4 0x00 0x?? 0x?? 0x07 0x00 0x?? on the TFmini Tx line.



I played with this randomly sending the single shot request for about an hour before powering down (USB first then the bench power supply). I came to continue my work this morning and the TFmini is unresponsive, data can be seen on the TFmini Rx line but it is not echoed on the Tx line and no values are seen. I disconnected the USB->TTL adapter, connected Tx and Rx (loopback test) and all is good. I reconnected the USB->TTL adapter and powered on and off a couple of time but still no echo or values. It’s worth mentioning that the hex values where copy and pasted into the device command box for ease and to reduce the chances of typing incorrect values and the TFmini is drawing abut 62mA the same as it was yesterday.



Does anyone have an idea what has gone wrong and how to fix it? Thanks in advance.

Hi there~



Please use command 42 57 02 00 FF FF FF FF to do factory reset and let us know if any issue. thanks.

Hi Bill thanks for your post, I attempted to send the reset bytes on their own and preceded by the configuration bytes, nether produced any response form the TFmini unit.



On checking through the data sheet again I noted that in Section 9 Faults: Causes and troubleshooting the following:

Unfortunately there is no red light showing from ether of the lenses, I checked voltages across various of the capacitors accessible on the rear of the PCB and found 3.5V, 5V and 9.8V. I look forward to any further advice you may offer.

Hi there~



It is hardware issue and we will get the replacement for you. thanks.