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Hello everyone,

I've got a bizzare problem with a PIC18F4431. It seems that whenever I 
change the duty cycle of a PWM output *too frequently* the PIC will run run 
for 25-30 seconds and then crap out, exhibiting random behaviour. Now before 
you think I'm nuts, here is a list of evidence for my claim:

1. When I run the PIC with constant PWM duty cycle set, the PIC runs fine 
and performs many non-repetitive tasks perfectly (e.g, writing to an LCD, 
reading sensors and displaying the data, etc.)

2. When I set the PWM to steadily increment every 100mS (just for testing) 
the system will run fine, performing all the same non-repetitive tasks as 
before, but it will just go nuts after about 30 seconds. It is *not* 
consistent - sometimes it will only last a few seconds, sometimes a few 
minutes.

3. Interrupts do not effect it - i.e, disabling interrupt routines does 
nothing, and the problem still occurs.

4. Disabling PLL fixes the problem! when I set the crystal to HS rather than 
PLL the system runs fine forever with no problems.

5. Nothing external to the PIC is running i.e, the problem still occurs 
whether motors are plugged into the motor driver or not (and whether motor 
driver is plugged in or not...)

6. The problem is somewhat persistent. Meaning, when the PIC goes nuts 
cycling the power sometimes doesn't fix it, even if it is left off for 15-20 
seconds (e.g, it doesn't start up at all, or just behaves crazy.) But 
sometimes it isn't, and will start up right away! Reprogramming it always 
works, and it will start up right afterwards.

7. Observing the crystal oscillation on a scope, when the PIC "goes nuts" 
the waveform decreases in amplitude by about 20-30%.

Here is the system setup, it is super simple:
There is a PIC that has two PWM outputs feeding into a motor driver via a 
quick disconnect cable. The PIC is a buffer on 8 digital outputs that run 
servos. The PIC has 8 analog I/O connected to sensors. The PIC run on a 6MHz 
cryzstal. The voltage regulator is an LM1084. Disconnecting sensors and 
motor driver has no effect as mentioned...

Anyway, I hope someone has an idea of what might be going on because I'm 
stumped. This really seems like an internal problem with the PIC and nothing 
I can do much about. I'll probably just disable PLL and try putting in a 
faster crystal.
I'll post code if anyone is actually interested in seeing the guts.
	

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I should mention that I'm not a newbie, and that the PCB layout is done 
quite intelligently. I've got a fair bit of experience building these 
types of systems, so please don't bother with obvious suggestions like 
checking whether the capacitors on the crystal are correct. I am just 
wondering if anyone has seem something similar to this and has a 
solution.
	

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> I've got a bizzare problem with a PIC18F4431.

I would say: reduce both your program and the hardeware to the utmost
minumum. That will either eliminate your problem (so you can focus on
the elimination step that elimintade the problem), or you will end up
with somthing that you can ask Mirochip.

And/or ask on the MIT piclist.

Wouter van Ooijen

-- -------------------------------------------
Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: www.voti.nl
consultancy, development, PICmicro products
docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: www.voti.nl/hvu
	

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vecheslav Silagadze" <uwobjectivist@uwob...>
To: <piclist@picl...>
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 7:41 AM
Subject: [piclist] PIC PWM crazyness
	> Hello everyone,
>
> I've got a bizzare problem with a PIC18F4431. It seems that whenever I
> change the duty cycle of a PWM output *too frequently* the PIC will run 
> run
> for 25-30 seconds and then crap out, exhibiting random behaviour. Now 
> before
> you think I'm nuts, here is a list of evidence for my claim:

[deleted]

Is only one board affected?

Leon 

---
[This E-mail has been scanned for viruses but it is your responsibility 
to maintain up to date anti virus software on the device that you are
currently using to read this email. ]
	

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I swapped out the crystal (with the same exact model I should add...) 
and now it works perfectly... hurray for electro magic.

It's only been running for 5 minutes so I might be optimistic. I'll 
keep it going for another hour or two to make sure it keeps going.

Regarding the questions:
This is the only board in existence. It's a simple controller for a 
robot for www.robotracing.org

Regarding the reductionism method - unfortunately since this is a 
custom PCB I'd basically have to either desolder the SMD parts or 
build a new board and test it in stages... neither of which is really 
an attractive option. But yes, typically that is a very good approach.

Anyway, as I type this message the system keeps working so I'm 
happy :)

--- In piclist@picl..., "Leon Heller" <leon.heller@...> wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Vecheslav Silagadze" <uwobjectivist@...>
> To: <piclist@picl...>
> Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 7:41 AM
> Subject: [piclist] PIC PWM crazyness
> 
> 
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > I've got a bizzare problem with a PIC18F4431. It seems that 
whenever I
> > change the duty cycle of a PWM output *too frequently* the PIC 
will run 
> > run
> > for 25-30 seconds and then crap out, exhibiting random behaviour. 
Now 
> > before
> > you think I'm nuts, here is a list of evidence for my claim:
> 
> [deleted]
> 
> Is only one board affected?
> 
> Leon 
> 
> ---
> [This E-mail has been scanned for viruses but it is your 
responsibility 
> to maintain up to date anti virus software on the device that you 
are
> currently using to read this email. ]
>
	

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--- In p...@yahoogroups.com, "Vecheslav Silagadze"
wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I've got a bizzare problem with a PIC18F4431. >

> 4. Disabling PLL fixes the problem! when I set the crystal to HS
rather than PLL the system runs fine forever with no problems.
> 7. Observing the crystal oscillation on a scope, when the PIC "goes
nuts" the waveform decreases in amplitude by about 20-30%.

I've seein this behaviour on 16F series (where fortunately there is
no PLL inside).

I suggest a test with an external oscillator (use a TCXO). If it
works with this even with PLL enabled, it's a problem of wrong
crystal load or wrong crystal cut.
If you have no garbage generated by the motor which is interfering
with your clock ground.

best regards,
Vasile

BTW, if you solved the problem in the mean time, would you tell us
what was the problem ?

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