Troubleshooting¶
In case of any issue with the software of an Autopilot 1x located in Autopilot 4x, read the Troubleshooting section of the 1x PDI Builder user manual. Otherwise, in case of any issue with the software of the Management Board, read the Troubleshooting section of the 4x PDI Builder user manual.
Maintenance mode¶
Maintenance mode is the main troubleshooting tool that Veronte devices have at the user disposal. While in maintenance mode, all communication channels are enabled by default, so it is possible to connect with them through any of its configuration interfaces, no matter its current configuration.
The main use of maintanance mode is to solve issues related to the current configuration, mainly related with communication or memory writting issues.
The maintenance mode allows to perform actions such as force the load of a new configuration file or to format the SD card.
If at some point the communication with an inner autopilot 1x or the Management Board is lost, it is possible to use the maintenance mode to restore a previous state of the configuration (as long as it was exported previously), format the SD card to start over or update the unit’s firmware.
Tip
It is strongly recommended to always use maintenance mode to load a new configuration that is very different from the current one.
How to enter in maintenance mode¶
There are two ways to enter in maintenance mode: using software, or forcing it.
Using software to enter in maintenance mode¶
To establish the state of an inner Autopilot 1x as maintenance mode with software, read the Maintenance Mode - Troubleshooting section of the 1x PDI Builder user manual.
To use the maintenance mode for the Management Board with software, read the Maintenance Mode - Troubleshooting section of the 4x PDI Builder user manual.
Forcing maintenance mode¶
There are two ways to force the maintenance mode: using power supply or using the I2C pins.
Caution
Arbiter B cannot enter maintenance mode by forcing it.
Power supply¶
When communication with the Autopilot 1x or the Management Board is lost, it is possible to active maintenance mode using the power supply input.
In order to active maintenance mode, power cycle the Veronte Autopilot 1x or the Management Board repetively with periods of 700 ms (with a margin range between 380 and 965 ms). After 30 cycles, the device will enter in maintenance mode.
Autopilot 1x and Management Board might enter in maintenance mode if a problem with the power supply is detected upon boot up (voltage or current is out of range).
How to power cycle an autopilot¶
I2C pins¶
Arbiter A¶
To enter in maintenance mode with I2C, unplug Veronte Autopilot 4x (the 3 inner Autopilots 1x and the Management Board), connect both I2C pins each other, then power up Autopilot 4x, finally disconnect both pins. Both pins are SCL_A_OUT_ARB (number 39) and SDA_A_OUT_ARB (number 40) according to the Arbiter Connector pinout.
Internal Autopilots 1x¶
It is possible to enter in maintenance mode using I2C pins with an inner autopilot in the same way as the Arbiter A. However, it requires first selecting the desired Autopilot 1x with the Management Board via the 4x PDI Builder software. To do this:
Go to Arbitration menu \(\rightarrow\) Config panel.
Then, select as Method of arbitration the Fixed of the corresponding autopilot to be forced in maintenace mode.
For example, if Autopilot 1 is to be forced into maintenace mode, select Fixed 0 as the arbitration method.
Finally, save the changes.
Note
Veronte Autopilots: Dev Harness 4x 1.8 (Embention reference P007695) has already included a button with this 2 pins to easily enter maintenance mode.
The procedure is the same as for the pins, but instead of connecting and disconnecting the pins, press and release the button.