ASUS PWM ASP1405I (=IR35201) firmware contents for ROG MAXIMUS XII HERO (WI-FI)

[DynaxSC]

Hi

I have an ROG MAXIMUS XII HERO (WI-FI) board with demaged PWM controller ASP1405I, and this is unfortunalely a programmable chip.
Without programming it, it won't start to work on the board - have checked this physically with a new unprogrammed chip.

I'm looking for information about the possibility to readout and program the ASUS PWM chip ASP1405I again with the firmware (configuration file).

To do this, it is necessary to buy a quite expensive I2C type interface card (named USB005), so I'm wondering if it is worth to spend the money, as this makes sense only in two of the cases:

1. Someone will make the firmware/configuration file available (I doubt anybody can have it, except ASUS).

2. There is a way to read out the firmware/configuration file from a working chip (I also have little hope for this, as probably the reading is not available in the freely available programming software or the chip has burned fuses at factory not allowing this, to protect ASUS software rights.

What I found out already is:

ASP1405I is 100% equivalent to International Rectifier IR35201 (today Infineon).
There is a software to program that chip made available by International Rectifier, called: IR POWERCENTER GUI, freely available.
However the configuration of the software is very complicated, and lot of very detailled parameters have to be set. Without knowing details it is probably not feasible to have luck with it.

So I'm lokingo for any new information, which could bring forward the process of "reverse engineering" this firmware/configuration file.

Alternatively, if somebody out there could have such a already programmed chip available, eg. on an urepairable board designated for parts, I'd appreciate for direct contact with pm.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Below I attach the PWM datasheet and the boardview for this board, maybe somebody hase a same problem to overcome.

LINK to boardview -> https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...ew#post3297189

[DynaxSC]

Just figured out that the POWIRCENTER Software available fron IR/Infineon has no option to read out the chip firmware/configuration, so only option is to get the configuration from ASUS (which is a wishful thinking), or reingineer own config which is probably a huge effort without a gurantee of success. So only feasible option is getting a programmed chip from another unrepairable board. Then there is probably a good chance, that similar boards with 16 phases having same VRM could be a good donor too.

[karlan]

Hi,
I have to replace the phase controller IR35217 on an amd graphic card, for what I saw the PowIRcenter can upload the firmware from an IRxxx phase controller chip but it cannot download it on a new virgin one or at least I could not find how to do it after several attempts. Nevertheless PowIRcenter should be able to update the firmware on an already programmed IR chip, so I'm looking now for a used working chip because a new one would be not usable. However the fact that there are replacement virgin parts on sales let me think that there should be the way to program them, so if anyone has any info on how to program a new virgin IRxxx phase controller please kindly let me know, thanks

[C0dR]

Oh well, seems like I am in the same boat now. I guess nothing new on this side? I also wonder why there are virgin chips on the market, but I guess its for using it in own projects or something?

[DynaxSC]

The chips are on the market because People buy them and try to replace demaged chips with virgin chips. So I did and then discovered they need to be programmed. Chinese sellers are happy .

BTW I'm of the opinion that this issue, as well as eg. the free availability of schematics and boardviews should be something to care about by the EU and other authorities. It should't be that still repairable hardware must go to trash just beacause vendors do not disclose this data/information. At least after warranty time this should be available. I'm curious if there is a way to let this happen as a EU regulation, same way as chargers for pc's and mobiles. Why not?

[C0dR]

Just figured out that the POWIRCENTER Software available fron IR/Infineon has no option to read out the chip firmware/configuration, so only option is to get the configuration from ASUS (which is a wishful thinking), or reingineer own config which is probably a huge effort without a gurantee of success. So only feasible option is getting a programmed chip from another unrepairable board. Then there is probably a good chance, that similar boards with 16 phases having same VRM could be a good donor too.

Looks like there is an option to readout a functioning chip. It seems that some of the chips (including IR35201) is locked out without a license but I managed to patch the program to allow me to use the chip anyways. So all I now need is the USB005 device and a functioning mainboard. I guess there is no chance in using a different USB-I2C adapter?

[DynaxSC]

I assume that the software will work only with this interface, unless somebody could hack the program. Anyway the cost of USB005 on Aliexpress is not that high, so it is probably not worth to try to hack the software.

For Renesas vrm's I bought a chinese clone of the Interface, and it works very well, so I think buying the cheaper chinese USB005 clone should be safe.

BTW I think, that there is a good chance that some bios versions could contain a configuration file for for vrm controllers. Eg. Introducing new CPU microcodes and new CPU's in an upgrade bios might require updating the vrm configuration for the new CPU. Unfortunately it's not sure, and it's not so easy to find such code in the bios image. But it theoretically is possible by generating some example configuration file, and looking for similar code in the bios file. Never had time to follow this idea, but maybe it's worth a try.

[tuananh1333]

How to build DIY Infineon USB005:

Hardware requirements:
C8051F340 Development Board $20 e.g: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2048597416.html
C8051F Emulator Downloader Programmer $5 e.g: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004665786038.html

Software requirements:
full_005.hex (this is a dump of the original USB005 firmware)
Silabs flash utility
IR PowIRCenter Patched (optional)
Currently available from: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...uaTRvjvI-dECvs (not my link)

Steps:
- Connect C8051F emulator to the C8051F340 Development Board using the programming header, then connect the emulator to your PC using USB cable
- Launch Silicon Laboratories Flash Utility, the adaptor should show up in the Debug Adapter section, if not, click enumerate USB
- Click Get Memory, Select Memory: Code > Select Output Base: Hex > Starting address 0, Ending address FBFF
- Click Download Hex File, Browse: full_005.hex > Download. Once complete this is now recognised as a USB005.
- Disconnect the emulator and the development board
- Launch IR PowIRCenter, connect the DIY USB005, optionally update the firmware using the PowIR software.

The clock and data lines are on P00 and P01 on the C8051F340 Development Board, these need to be connected along with a ground to program the controller on a GPU.

[Herbs n spices]

BTW I think, that there is a good chance that some bios versions could contain a configuration file for for vrm controllers. Eg. Introducing new CPU microcodes and new CPU's in an upgrade bios might require updating the vrm configuration for the new CPU. Unfortunately it's not sure, and it's not so easy to find such code in the bios image. But it theoretically is possible by generating some example configuration file, and looking for similar code in the bios file. Never had time to follow this idea, but maybe it's worth a try.

Looking at the boardviews with some of these programmable controllers you can see the clock and data lines for programming aren't connected to anything but a 3 pin header, so I doubt the bios can actually interact with it. It is like this on my asrock X399 phantom gaming 6 where I damaged the ISL69144, and several other boards I checked.

However if it DOES connect to something like the chipset or super IO then it may be possible.

[DynaxSC]

Hi tuananh1333, could you check the last link, it seems to be dead ?

[DynaxSC]

I have just received the chinese version of the USB005 and it works perfectly with the PowIRCenter software. Been able to read configuration file and registers from both ASP1405I controllers on ASUS MAXIMUS XII HERO (WiFi).
The "case" is pretty simple 😀, but cost is ca 2/3 of the original.

[C0dR]

I have just received the chinese version of the USB005 and it works perfectly with the PowIRCenter software. Been able to read configuration file and registers from both ASP1405I controllers on ASUS MAXIMUS XII HERO (WiFi).
The "case" is pretty simple 😀, but cost is ca 2/3 of the original.

Looks good! Do you have a link or name for the product?

[DynaxSC]

https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExGVtmz

[C0dR]

I have just received the chinese version of the USB005 and it works perfectly with the PowIRCenter software. Been able to read configuration file and registers from both ASP1405I controllers on ASUS MAXIMUS XII HERO (WiFi).
The "case" is pretty simple 😀, but cost is ca 2/3 of the original.

I also got me a USB005 Adapter but I really have problems getting it to talk to the chip. All I get is "usb error" or the software just freezes.
Were you able to read/write to the chip while soldered in or did you have to unsolder it first?
Did you just power the whole board or have you added a seperate 3.3V supply?
On my board the i2c pins seem to be connected to the superIO chip, might this make some problems?

[DynaxSC]

USB error means problem in communication between the adapter and the PC, as long as this is not ok it will not be possible to access any vrm by i2c. Look into device Manager if you see the adapter there and whats the status. I will on the adapter tomorrow, as I do not remember if there was anything to do, to make the adapter working. Let you know.

[C0dR]

well I found the error, I had a small short between Data and CLK line, after removing it I got normal results. But still have some problems. If I use the I2C Adress scan I find 3 devices (0x08, 0x70, 0x71) but all of them just say UNKNOWN. I tried adding the device manually but it just says "wrong device" and I can't get it to detect the chip correctly. Any advice?

[DynaxSC]

Hi, 3 devices this is strange, I'm not sure what motherboard you test, but on the ASUS MAXIMUS XII HERO, I wrote about, the I2C bus has dedicated connection pads on the board (edge of the board near the VRM), there are no other devices on this bus - see attached screenshot from boardview:





Below also a screenshot in the device manager showing the USB005 Adapter - it is called USBXpress Device, the second screenshot shows the driver for it, it should install automatically:

[C0dR]

oh well, I see, so maybe thats my problem. There is no dedicated header on my board (Asus Crosshair VIII hero). It seems the chip is connected to a SMBus with many additional devices and DACs.
Maybe I should try to disconnect the bus? But as the chip can talk both SMBus and I2C how to tell to use I2C?

[DynaxSC]

What is the chip model?

[C0dR]

Oh well, the ride goes on. So I managed to get my hands on a working mainboard and tried to readout the chip as I need the programming for it anyways. After some struggle I managed to read out the chip! So for anyone having this problem: Don't use an external power supply, that did not work for me, I had to power the mainboard via ATX and then turn on the power with the power switch. For that I had to put in a CPU but NO ram, so the mainboard won't turn on fully, just enough to turn on the ASP1405I, otherwise it does not get 3.3V. So now I have the programming of the ASP1405 for Crosshair VIII hero! Step 1 done!!

So now I have to program the chip on my broken board.
And now the question: why doesn't it work on my broken board with a new ASP1405? Well, after digging around with my multimeter I realized the chip on my broken board does not get 3.3V but 4.9V! Hopefully the chip is not burned...

So I guess the power regulator for the ASP1405 is broken? Also after comapring with the working board I realized on the working board the chip only gets powered after turning on the board with the power switch. On my broken board the chip is powered as soon as I connect the ATX power (S5 State). So probably this might be a problem for communicating with the software.

I ordered a new power regulator UP0132Q and try to change it and see if this might fix the issue.

What is the chip model?

It's an ASP1405I (IR35201)