epd_init() seen to crash after a random number of timed awakenings from deep sleep

[Dixilea]

I am encountering random crashes with my LILYGO Screen-4.7S3 V2.3 2021-6-10.

I think I have pinpointed the issue to epd_init(). Here is a minimal example that suffers from crashes:

#ifndef BOARD_HAS_PSRAM
#error "Please enable PSRAM !!!"
#endif

#include <Arduino.h>
#include "epd_driver.h"
#include "utilities.h"

RTC_DATA_ATTR int boot_count{ 0 };

void setup()
{
    Serial.begin(115200);
    delay(5000);

    ++boot_count;
    Serial.println("\nBoot #" + String(boot_count) + ".");

    Serial.println("epd_init()");
    Serial.flush();
    epd_init();
    Serial.println("epd_poweron()");
    Serial.flush();
    epd_poweron();
    Serial.println("epd_clear()");
    Serial.flush();
    epd_clear();
    Serial.println("epd_poweroff()");
    Serial.flush();
    epd_poweroff_all();

    Serial.end();
    delay(1000);

    esp_sleep_enable_timer_wakeup( 10 * 1000 * 1000 ); // microseconds
    esp_deep_sleep_start();
}

void loop()
{
    // This loop is never reached. The ESP32 will go into deep sleep before it would have reached this loop.
}

Also, here is platformio.ini:

[platformio]
boards_dir = ../../platformio/boards

[env:t5-47-plus]
platform = espressif32
upload_protocol = esptool
framework = arduino
platform_packages =
    framework-arduinoespressif32@https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32.git#2.0.5
    toolchain-riscv32-esp @ 8.4.0+2021r2-patch5
upload_speed = 921600
monitor_speed = 115200
board = lilygo-t5-47-plus
build_flags =
    -D CORE_DEBUG_LEVEL=3
    -DARDUINO_USB_MODE=1
    -DARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1
    -I include
    -std=c++2a
lib_deps =
    SPI
    Wire

Here is a typical output, with the crash occurring after the 4th wake up:

Boot #1.
epd_init()
epd_poweron()
epd_clear()
epd_poweroff()

Boot #2.
epd_init()
epd_poweron()
epd_clear()
epd_poweroff()

Boot #3.
epd_init()
epd_poweron()
epd_clear()
epd_poweroff()

Boot #4.
epd_init()

I should note that the crashes occurs after a random number of awakenings. Usually, the crash happens between the 2nd and 10th awakening; I don't remember it happening after the 1st. It is rare for me to see the code run successfully for more than 10 awakenings.

Any suggestions? Could the unit simply be faulty?

[lewisxhe]

Is there any log output from the serial port to provide explanation?

[Dixilea]

@lewisxhe Unfortunately, there is no additional output from the serial port right around a crash. Being new to ESP32s, I also don't know if it'd be possible to "extract more debug output" by enabling some feature or so.

[lewisxhe]

I used this sketch and it didn't get stuck, but it looped through sleep and then restarted, you can try it

https://github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/LilyGo-EPD47/commit/54becb5f574c4009935a00cdd2c68a78c942c671

[Dixilea]

I've tried the sketch you made - https://github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/LilyGo-EPD47/commit/54becb5f574c4009935a00cdd2c68a78c942c671 - and can tell that the issue persists on my device. Random crashes between the 2nd and 10th awakening from deep sleep.

[lewisxhe]

It seems that your device has a problem. I tested it by cycling sleep and wakeup 90 times and it didn't crash. If it is definitely a device problem, then go to the dealer.

[Dixilea]

@lewisxhe Thanks for the independent test! A device problem now indeed seems like the most logical conclusion. I'll close this issue.