Repeated HiFi module SD card failure

kes

Hi Josh,

We are currently using the Bpod HiFi module HD in conjunction with State Machine v2 to deliver tones. We have two setups that have previously been working well but have encountered issues with one of the HiFi modules over the past month. When playing tones, sounds seem to overlap with sounds loaded in nearby positions or do not play for the full specified time. Based on your recommendation in a post describing a similar issue, we replaced the microSD card in the HiFi module a few weeks ago which seemed to fix the problem but we are now experiencing the same issue with the same module. While it seems we could replace the SD card again to solve the problem, I'm not sure repeatedly replacing the card a good long-term solution - I am wondering whether you can provide any insight as to how expected it is to have repeated SD card failure for a HiFi module, and whether there are any steps we can take in our setup to avoid it?

A few details about our current setup:
Both HiFi modules are powered by the computer via micro usb cables through usb 3.0 ports, connected to the same type of speakers, and connected to v2 state machines via a cat5 cable. Both the HiFi module firmware and the version of Bpod_Gen2 we are working with are up to date. The script I am using to directly interact with the HiFi module for testing is included below :

`clear H;

%Initialize HiFi object.
H = BpodHiFi('COM13'); %Replace 'COM13' with serial port name of HiFi module.
H.SamplingRate = 48000;

%Generate a sin wave for sound
CueASound = [GenerateSineWave(H.SamplingRate, 1000, 5)];

% Choose volume
H.DigitalAttenuation_dB = -20;

% Send the sound
H.load(1, CueASound);
H.push;

% Play the sound
H.play(1);
pause(15)
H.stop;`

Let me know if there is any additional information I can provide that would be helpful.

Thanks!

Josh

Hello Kes,

Unfortunately our microSD card supplier became unreliable post-COVID. We started to receive reports of cards that pass QC at Sanworks, and fail in the field. In November 2023 we switched our supplier to Mouser (product page here), and we haven't had issues with the subsequent devices. SanDisk was purchased by Western Digital, and the cards shipped by Mouser will have WD branding as shown here:
https://www.westerndigital.com/en-ua/products/memory-cards/industrial-microsd?sku=SDSDQAF3-008G-I) .
I strongly recommend sourcing the WD Industrial microSD card from Mouser, or if necessary, another major industrial supplier that vets their supply chain (e.g. Digikey, Arrow Electronics). The HiFi module requires the full rated performance of the card, and cards that are slower or less robust than advertised may fail unpredictably.

If you purchased your HiFi module from us, we'll ship free replacement card(s). Please write in to support@sanworks.io with the number of modules, the name of your research group, and shipping information.

Thanks,
Josh