fix agc reset on SX126x, SX1276 & LR11x0 chips

[weebl2000]

• tried to simply explicitly call sleep briefly to reset AGC -> not sufficient it seems
• do more thorough reset using Calibrate (0x7F) -> success
• reset noise_floor so firmware shows accurate values
• so far it seems to work great on a Heltec v4
• should work on all SX126x based chips by using Calibrate(0x7F)
• shoudl work on all LR11x0 based chips by using Calibrate(0x3F)
• should work on SX1276 chips too, calling sleep there should be sufficient - SX1276's AGC is simpler — just LNA gain stepping. Sleep mode powers down the entire analog frontend, and re-entering RX restarts the AGC from G1 (max gain).
• default calibration is in 902-928 MHz range, made sure to follow up with actual configured frequency
• build firmware for yourself here: https://mcimages.weebl.me/?commitId=fixagcreset

fixes #1716 - see discussion there for initial test results

I've referenced SX1262 datasheet to implement the calibration reset.

• p25 4.3 ,64-65 table 12-1 listing ΣΔ ADC architecture
• p55 table 9-1 sleep enable vs stdby_rc enable
• p55 9.2 states which blocks can be calibrated
• p61 9.2.1 calibrate specific freq
• p66 warm sleep restores register state confirms we need more aggressive Calibrate(0x7F) reset
• p73 total calibration time is 3.5 ms and must be launched in STDBY_RC mode

For LR1110 similar implementation, the 'AGC' is completely black boxed behind firmware so you can only reset it by resetting registers.

LR1110 datasheet page 9 section 1.2.1 states:
•Air interface fully compatible with the SX1261/2/8 family

Also see LR1110 user docs

So reset is very similar.

[towerviewcams]

what boards do you think the AGC doesn't work on? On a V4, I've been watching closely at a terrible site I have with 945Mhz STL microwave and turned off agc.reset.interval and then back on. I think it "might" be working but not sold on that.

[terminalvelocity23]

what boards do you think the AGC doesn't work on? On a V4, I've been watching closely at a terrible site I have with 945Mhz STL microwave and turned off agc.reset.interval and then back on. I think it "might" be working but not sold on that.

I have reports that it gets stuck on V3 and T114, as well. My DIY node based on ESP32-S3 and E22 900M30S gets affected, too.

[towerviewcams]

I figured out why I'm not seeing this AGC problem. Its had me stumped on and off for a couple days. I set my repeaters to Zero on the int.thresh 0

Once I changes this back to default, yep, I can watch my noise floor eventually hit -120 on my V4 and be of course very desensitized.

I tried @weebl2000 test firm builder and in fact it is fixed. also, no current spike on AGC rest every 12 seconds that mine is set for the test.

[towerviewcams]

@weebl2000 Your test firm still has the 22 second powersaving delay. Can you update your base 1.13 firm with that fix? I'm testing your AGC fix now but since I'm in a busy area, I'm never sleeping and its draining battery pretty good in our rain for days weather.

[weebl2000]

@weebl2000 Your test firm still has the 22 second powersaving delay. Can you update your base 1.13 firm with that fix? I'm testing your AGC fix now but since I'm in a busy area, I'm never sleeping and its draining battery pretty good in our rain for days weather.

the fixagcreset is up-to-date with the meshcore/dev branch. Are you building fixagcreset branch? https://mcimages.weebl.me/?commitId=fixagcreset what branch is the 22 second powersaving delay branch? I can merge that one with this one for you so you can test the combination.

[towerviewcams]

@weebl2000 the 22 second delay showed up in 1.13 and @IoTThinks Kevin made a hotfix on his github. They also also have powersaving13 as well. I've been testing it on 2, V4 boards and its awesome. It is not merged into the dev branch at this time.

If you could do something temporary with ether the hot fix, that would allow me to test at 3 tower sites tomorrow for work that I'm taking an insurance agent to. All easy access repeaters in town.

The hot fix on easy sky mesh is under Firmware, Testing, PR-1687, : heltec_v4_repeater-002878e.bin and I have that running in addition to stock 1.13 and its perfect. I'm guessing that would be the simplest? All 3 of these sites go numb -120 in just under 24 hrs and this AGC reset fix should be golden to find out really quick!

[IoTThinks]

@weebl2000 22-second delay in PowerSaving is likely the OLED issue on Heltec v4 in the current MC 1.13 (main and dev).

It should not be related / affected to your PR.

#1562 (comment)

@towerviewcams The fix for 22-second powersaving delay in PowerSaving 13 is included in the bellow pending PR too.
It will sleep immediately after processing LoRa packets.

#1687

[weebl2000]

The hot fix on easy sky mesh is under Firmware, Testing, PR-1687, : heltec_v4_repeater-002878e.bin and I have that running in addition to stock 1.13 and its perfect. I'm guessing that would be the simplest? All 3 of these sites go numb -120 in just under 24 hrs and this AGC reset fix should be golden to find out really quick!

try this one: https://mcimages.weebl.me?commitId=agc-tower it includes this PR + #1687 + #1569

[towerviewcams]

@weebl2000 Trying right now!

[towerviewcams]

@weebl2000 Wow! what a difference! I'm slamming 2 boards at the same time, with 2 different companions and 2 ios phones. So im connected at the same time.

#1 V4 has the AGC/pwr save fix. This PR and 1687 and 1569
#2 has 1.13 stock

I'm slamming them both side by side and the AGC reset works every time. back down to -104 ish......... #2 is sticking and not resetting. Sometimes its slow, and others not. I'm sure if I let this run for a day we would see.

-Field Test
I'm taking this to a major high power broadcast site now where I really need AGC to work, I bounce all over the place from -86 up to -102 on my V4 there. I have to reboot for it to come back to -100's....Then eventually drops down and up.....So, I'll report back in a couple hours once its OTA updated. This looks very promising!! Thank you @weebl2000

@IoTThinks, Keven, I know you told me on FaceBook that you haven't seen where you need to reset. Let me test this and I'll know very quickly. I'm sitting next to over 1 megawatt of power and 4 cellular companies all on my 800ft tower that I manage.

[towerviewcams]

90 mins in and holding -98 to -102 on noise floor readings. This is exciting so far!!!!

[ignisf]

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