BB XM C hot chips

My rev C XM board is running fine with latest Ubuntu system, However,
the PMU chip U7 = TPS69590 runs quite hot. My calibrated finger say
it's 60C or higher. (I.e., hotter than you can touch continuously)

I have seen a number of earlier threads about this situation, with
some comments saying "it's normal". However, if this board is
supposed to operate at 85C ambient, I think this chip is will be toast
before then. I am running a Trainer board and a USB-Serial adapter as
my only peripherals, along with Ethernet.

So are we still saying it's normal to run so hot? If so, I'd want to
use a heat sink and/or airflow to cool it.

Thanks for any insight!

Martin

My rev C XM board is running fine with latest Ubuntu system, However,
the PMU chip U7 = TPS69590 runs quite hot. My calibrated finger say
it's 60C or higher. (I.e., hotter than you can touch continuously)

Do you have an any infrared sensor's to confirm that..

Here's a picture (attached) of board i'm been running continuously for
about a year, U7 seems to be reasonably near that...

I have seen a number of earlier threads about this situation, with
some comments saying "it's normal". However, if this board is
supposed to operate at 85C ambient, I think this chip is will be toast
before then. I am running a Trainer board and a USB-Serial adapter as
my only peripherals, along with Ethernet.

So are we still saying it's normal to run so hot? If so, I'd want to
use a heat sink and/or airflow to cool it.

Regards,

There is a failure mode where the TPS65950 can take damage or the processor I/O pins can take damage and cause an increase in current draw, but run on the hot side. In that case it needs to be repaired.

Gerald

I wish I had an IR imager like yours! But I can tell you that my PMU
chip is hottest chip on the board by some margin, which is quite
different from the picture you have provided.

Martin

My suggestion is to request an RMA and get it repaired.

http://beagleboard.org/support/rma

Gerald

Interesting. Is there a cost-effective way to get a board repaired?
I don't have the equipment or expertise myself. The cost would have
to be well under $150, naturally! I don't suppose there is any
warranty.. or is there?

I have rigged a little fan that makes me feel better at least.

Martin

Thanks for the information about the RMA process. I appreciate the
helpful spirit!

Things are getting a little clearer now. I purchased a second XM
board, and it seems to behave the same way -- very hot PMU chip.

It seems to be a problem only with my Ubuntu SD (kernel 3.0.4-x3).
The Angstrom SD supplied with the BB runs cool!

Does anyone know why Ubuntu and/or the new kernel should run hotter?
What can be done?

Martin

This is definitely something new. Can you try an older version of Ubuntu to see how it runs?

Gerald

First, upgrade that kernel to my 3.1.x tree, much better power
management/cpufreq stuff then what i had in the 3.0.x tree..

http://rcn-ee.net/deb/oneiric-armel/ ( think your on oneiric )

It's hard to compare the Angstrom 2.6.32-psp kernel directly with a
mainline 3.0/3.1 kernel... The biggest difference, probally related
to voltage, the otg port is enabled as a host by default at boot.. So
it could be using extra power for that..

Regards,

Running Natty. I found your update for Natty to 3.1.5x6 and installed
it Ok. Unfortunately, I still have the "hot chip" problem. Any ideas
what to check now? I can provide dmesg output or whatever.

Point of info: Is there a simple way to update Natty to Oneiric in a
headless environment?

Thanks!

Martin

> Thanks for the information about the RMA process. I appreciate the
> helpful spirit!

> Things are getting a little clearer now. I purchased a second XM
> board, and it seems to behave the same way -- very hot PMU chip.

> It seems to be a problem only with my Ubuntu SD (kernel 3.0.4-x3).
> The Angstrom SD supplied with the BB runs cool!

> Does anyone know why Ubuntu and/or the new kernel should run hotter?
> What can be done?

First, upgrade that kernel to my 3.1.x tree, much better power
management/cpufreq stuff then what i had in the 3.0.x tree..

http://rcn-ee.net/deb/oneiric-armel/( think your on oneiric )

It's hard to compare the Angstrom 2.6.32-psp kernel directly with a
mainline 3.0/3.1 kernel... The biggest difference, probally related
to voltage, the otg port is enabled as a host by default at boot.. So
it could be using extra power for that..

Regards,

--
Robert Nelsonhttp://www.rcn-ee.com/

Hi Martin,

What version of Angstrom are you running where it's cooler?

I've been testing in the lab with:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?vendor=0&keywords=290-1427-nd

Using an xM B board, both images were idling for about a half an hour...

DVI, ethernet, serial and a usb keyboard connected to the beagle..
Running on a 5volt power supply...

Ambient Temp: 28.x C

ubuntu oneiric: 3.1.4-x6 kernel:
U7: 44.x C
U4: 45.x C

Angstrom 2.6.32-psp (xM_4_25.zip)
U7: 49.x C
U4: 53.x C

Is there any difference with the Trainer board removed?

Running Natty. I found your update for Natty to 3.1.5x6 and installed
it Ok. Unfortunately, I still have the "hot chip" problem. Any ideas
what to check now? I can provide dmesg output or whatever.

Point of info: Is there a simple way to update Natty to Oneiric in a
headless environment?

you could try:
"sudo do-release-upgrade", but no promises of it working..

It's almost easier to start with a fresh new image..

Regards,

I loaded a new copy of Oneiric using the "method 1 preconfigured"
image, and my board runs normally. So my problem was something to do
my old Ubuntu configuration (but not the kernel).

I need an environment to develop and run audio / Ethernet apps, but no
desktop, so I suppose it's good to start with this small system.

Thanks for all the help.

Martin