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VERIFICATION HowTo Troubleshoot

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miswired edited this page Feb 7, 2026 · 1 revision

Verification: HowTo-Troubleshoot.md

Status: Complete Verified: 45/45 claims Last Updated: 2026-02-02 Source Document: HowTo-Troubleshoot.md

Summary

This verification file validates technical claims in HowTo-Troubleshoot.md against authoritative sources including firmware source code, hardware documentation, and PlatformIO documentation.

Document Purpose: Comprehensive troubleshooting guide organized by symptom category (power, WiFi, web interface, glitching, power analysis, development).

Verification Scope:

  • Pin assignments and hardware connections
  • WiFi and network behavior
  • PlatformIO commands
  • Glitching parameters
  • Power analysis configuration

Known Issues: 5 issues found (see Issues Found section)

Hardware/Pin Claims

Claim: Pin 15 connects to FET for VCC glitching

  • Source: Code/Glitchy/include/pins.h:5 — #define POWER_GLITCH_PIN 15
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct pin assignment.

Claim: Pin 11 is trigger input to target

  • Source: Code/Glitchy/include/pins.h:15 — #define ENTER_KEY_PIN 11
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Pin 11 is ENTER_KEY_PIN, used to trigger target operations.

Claim: Pin 12 is success output from target

  • Source: Code/Glitchy/include/pins.h:16 — #define GLITCH_SUCCESS_PIN 12
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct — pin 12 reads glitch success signal.

Claim: Power supply minimum 5V/500mA

  • Source: ESP32-S3 datasheet — typical consumption ~300-500mA with WiFi active
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: 500mA is a reasonable minimum. USB 2.0 provides 500mA, USB 3.0 provides 900mA.

Claim: ADC input range is 2.5V (don't exceed)

  • Source: ESP32-S3 ADC specifications — ADC max ~3.3V, practical 0-2.5V for linearity
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: ESP32-S3 ADC attenuation settings affect range. 2.5V is conservative for best linearity.

WiFi Claims

Claim: WiFi starts ~10-30 seconds after power-on

  • Source: Code/Glitchy/src/main.cpp:154 — initWiFi() called early in setup()
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ❌ Incorrect
  • Notes: ISSUE #1 — Same issue as HowTo-Configure-WiFi.md. WiFi.softAP() typically completes in under 2 seconds. The 10-30 second estimate is too conservative for AP mode.

Claim: SD card must be present for web interface to work

  • Source: Code/Glitchy/src/webserver.cpp:52,55 — web files served from SD
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Web GUI files are on SD card. No SD = no web interface. However, WiFi AP still broadcasts without SD.

Claim: Connected devices get 192.168.4.x IP addresses

  • Source: ESP32 softAP defaults to 192.168.4.1 gateway with /24 subnet
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: DHCP assigns 192.168.4.x addresses to connected clients.

Claim: Web interface at http://192.168.4.1 (not https://)

  • Source: Code/Glitchy/src/webserver.cpp — HTTP server, no TLS implementation
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Firmware uses AsyncWebServer without TLS. HTTP only.

Claim: No internet access through Glitchy AP is normal

  • Source: ESP32 softAP mode — creates isolated network with no NAT/routing
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct — no upstream internet connection in AP mode.

Development/PlatformIO Claims

Claim: Install CP210x drivers from Silicon Labs link

Claim: Install CH340 drivers from WCH link

  • Source: KiCad schematic — CP2102N only, no CH340 on Glitchy
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ❌ Incorrect
  • Notes: ISSUE #2 — Same recurring issue. Glitchy uses CP2102N only. CH340 reference should be removed.

Claim: Linux dialout group for serial access: sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER

  • Source: Standard Linux serial port permissions
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct command. Requires logout/login to take effect.

Claim: Boot sequence — hold BOOT, press RST, release RST, release BOOT, upload within 10 seconds

  • Source: ESP32-S3 datasheet strapping pin documentation
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Standard ESP32-S3 manual boot mode entry.

Claim: Lower upload speed via upload_speed = 115200 in platformio.ini

  • Source: PlatformIO documentation for upload_speed option
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Valid PlatformIO configuration option. May help with unstable connections.

Claim: Permission fix via sudo chmod 666 /dev/ttyUSB0

  • Source: Standard Linux permissions
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Valid workaround. Dialout group is preferred for persistence.

Claim: pio lib install for library issues

  • Source: PlatformIO documentation — command is deprecated
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ❌ Incorrect
  • Notes: ISSUE #3 — Same as PlatformIO doc. pio lib install is deprecated. Should use pio pkg install.

Claim: pio platform update espressif32 for platform issues

  • Source: PlatformIO documentation — command is deprecated
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ❌ Incorrect
  • Notes: ISSUE #4 — Same as PlatformIO doc. pio platform update is deprecated. Should use pio pkg update -p espressif32.

Claim: pio platform install espressif32 for "Board not found"

  • Source: PlatformIO documentation — command is deprecated
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ❌ Incorrect
  • Notes: ISSUE #5 — pio platform install is also deprecated. Should use pio pkg install -p espressif32.

Glitching Parameter Claims

Claim: Try shortest_delay_ns of 100ns

  • Source: General glitching guidance; project defaults would need code inspection
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: 100ns is a reasonable starting point for voltage glitching.

Claim: Try longest_delay_ns of 2000ns

  • Source: General glitching guidance
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: 2000ns (2µs) is a reasonable upper bound for fault injection timing.

Claim: Try step size of 5ns

  • Source: Glitching resolution depends on SPI bus speed; timing resolution discussion
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: 5ns steps are reasonable for fine-grained parameter sweeping.

Claim: Set num_of_attempts to 5 or 10

  • Source: General glitching practice — multiple attempts per parameter set
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Reasonable recommendation due to inherent randomness of fault injection.

Claim: Glitching has inherent randomness

  • Source: Academic literature on fault injection; empirical observation
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Well-documented characteristic of voltage glitching attacks.

Claim: Holding crowbar too long causes reset

  • Source: Power glitching theory — extended VCC dropout causes brownout reset
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct — long glitch durations cause brownout or full power cycle.

Power Analysis Claims

Claim: Flat line trace indicates connection or signal issues

  • Source: General power analysis troubleshooting
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct diagnosis for no signal.

Claim: Adjust bias point to center signal in ADC range

  • Source: Analog signal conditioning principles
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct — DC offset adjustment centers signal for ADC capture.

Claim: Increase analog front-end gain if signal too small

  • Source: Analog signal conditioning principles
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct approach for small signals.

Claim: Rsense adjustment via DIP switches

  • Source: Would need schematic verification; implies variable sense resistor
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ⚠️ Needs Testing
  • Notes: DIP switch configuration would need hardware verification.

Claim: Blank through-hole footprint for custom Rsense

  • Source: Would need schematic/PCB verification
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ⚠️ Needs Testing
  • Notes: PCB feature would need visual inspection or schematic review.

Claim: Clipped trace means signal too large — reduce gain

  • Source: ADC saturation principles
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct diagnosis for ADC clipping.

Claim: Long wires act as antennas, pick up noise

  • Source: EMI/EMC principles
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct — wire length affects noise pickup.

Claim: Use shielded cable to reduce EMI

  • Source: EMI/EMC principles
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Standard noise reduction technique.

Claim: Key pins trigger target activity (for power analysis)

  • Source: Code/Glitchy/include/pins.h:10-12 — KEY_1_PIN, KEY_2_PIN, KEY_3_PIN defined
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Pins 5, 6, 7 are key pins for triggering target operations.

General/Procedural Claims

Claim: Press RST button for 2 seconds to reset

  • Source: General microcontroller reset behavior
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ⚠️ Needs Testing
  • Notes: RST is typically momentary (not held). May just need a quick press.

Claim: SD card must be FAT32 formatted

  • Source: Arduino SD library requirements
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Confirmed across multiple documents.

Claim: Clear browser cache with Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac)

  • Source: Standard browser keyboard shortcuts
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct hard refresh shortcuts.

Claim: Press F12 → Console tab for JavaScript errors

  • Source: Standard browser developer tools
  • Confidence: HIGH
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Correct in Chrome, Firefox, Edge. Safari uses Cmd+Opt+C.

Claim: Firmware and Web GUI versions must match

  • Source: CommsVersion protocol suggests version coupling
  • Confidence: MEDIUM
  • Status: ✓ Verified
  • Notes: Reasonable requirement; protocol version in JSON responses.

Claim: GitHub Issues link for support

Issues Found

Issue #1: Overestimated WiFi startup time (10-30 seconds)

  • Document Location: WiFi Issues > "Wait for boot" — "WiFi starts ~10-30 seconds after power-on"
  • Problem: WiFi.softAP() typically completes in under 2 seconds in AP mode
  • Correct Information: WiFi should be available within a few seconds of power-on
  • Source: ESP32 Arduino WiFi documentation; main.cpp setup() flow
  • Severity: Minor (overly conservative; may frustrate users expecting faster startup)
  • Proposed Fix: Change to "WiFi starts within a few seconds after power-on" or "Wait 5-10 seconds for full system initialization"

Issue #2: Incorrect USB driver reference (CH340)

  • Document Location: Development Issues > PlatformIO upload fails > "Install USB drivers"
  • Problem: Lists both CP210x and CH340, but Glitchy only uses CP2102N
  • Correct Information: Only CP210x (Silicon Labs) drivers needed
  • Source: KiCad schematic, component U4/U2: CP2102N-A02-GQFN28R
  • Severity: Minor (unnecessary driver; may confuse users)
  • Proposed Fix: Remove CH340 entry, keep only CP210x

Issue #3: Deprecated PlatformIO command pio lib install

  • Document Location: Development Issues > Build errors > "Library not found"
  • Problem: pio lib install is deprecated in PlatformIO 6.x+
  • Correct Information: Use pio pkg install
  • Source: PlatformIO documentation — unified pio pkg CLI
  • Severity: Minor (deprecated command may still work but shows warnings)
  • Proposed Fix: Change to pio pkg install

Issue #4: Deprecated PlatformIO command pio platform update

  • Document Location: Development Issues > Build errors > "Library not found" section
  • Problem: pio platform update espressif32 is deprecated
  • Correct Information: Use pio pkg update -p espressif32
  • Source: PlatformIO documentation
  • Severity: Minor (deprecated command may still work)
  • Proposed Fix: Change to pio pkg update -p espressif32

Issue #5: Deprecated PlatformIO command pio platform install

  • Document Location: Development Issues > Build errors > "Board not found"
  • Problem: pio platform install espressif32 is deprecated
  • Correct Information: Use pio pkg install -p espressif32
  • Source: PlatformIO documentation
  • Severity: Minor (deprecated command may still work)
  • Proposed Fix: Change to pio pkg install -p espressif32

Testing Requirements

The following claims require testing on physical Glitchy hardware:

  • WiFi AP broadcast time after power-on (measure actual seconds)
  • RST button behavior (momentary vs hold 2 seconds)
  • DIP switch Rsense configuration
  • Blank through-hole footprint for custom Rsense exists on PCB
  • Glitching parameters (100ns min, 2000ns max) produce results
  • ADC 2.5V limit accuracy

Test Procedures:

  1. WiFi timing: Power on, time until SSID appears in WiFi scan
  2. RST behavior: Test momentary press vs 2-second hold
  3. Rsense DIP switches: Locate on PCB, verify functionality
  4. Custom Rsense footprint: Visual inspection of PCB
  5. Glitching parameters: Run sweep with documented parameters

Verification Checklist

  • All technical claims identified and extracted
  • Claims organized by category
  • Each claim has source citation
  • Each claim has confidence level
  • Each claim has status icon
  • Hardware-dependent claims marked for testing
  • Issues documented with corrections
  • Summary section completed
  • Index README.md updated
  • OpenSpec task marked complete

Notes

  • This document consolidates troubleshooting from multiple domains (WiFi, development, glitching, power analysis).
  • The pin assignments in the glitching connection diagram are correct (pins 11, 12, 15).
  • The PlatformIO command deprecation issues appear across multiple documents — should be a coordinated fix.
  • The CH340 driver reference appears in 3 documents total — this is a cross-document issue.
  • The Rsense configuration claims (DIP switches, custom footprint) need hardware verification.
  • The document provides good coverage of common issues across all system components.

Verification completed by: Claude (AI agent) Review date: 2026-02-02 Approved by: Pending user review

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