Miniware MPD-XP

I recently learned about the MDP-XP power supply from this tweet.

The compact size of this product immediately interested me because I sometimes do ‘Debugging House Calls’ where I meet SW/FW Engineers away from my normal lab space.

I considered purchasing the product version without the display, but then decided I should try the whole package, and potentially save myself one channel on the oscilloscope.

Since purchasing the device I’ve learned that I’m going to have to upgrade at least one of my USB A power supplies from the outdated 5 watt bricks I have to one that puts out at least 100W. This way I’ll be able to power the MDP-XP to run RF Power Amplifiers that consume ~30 watts, and I can use it to power my laptop.

Does anyone know a reliable ~100W USB C brick I can get at a decent cost?

This should allow me to swap the Barrel Connector Laptop Power supply for a fancy-new-fangled multi-output USB C (and maybe USB A!) power brick.

My Kit

The MDP-XP system will be a great compact addition to the portable kit I use that consists of a Laptop, Pico USB Oscilloscope, handheld DVM, and the Sensepeek PCBite Kit. This kit allows me to probe products without soldering wires onto the PCB, power the device, and record/decode outputs to my Laptop.

Using it – upgrade first!

One of the first things I like to do with a new piece of equipment is ensure that all the Firmware is up to date. Unfortunately, I wasted a lot of time finding and updating the firmware. This is due to the fact that a definitive document on updating the was MDP-XP firmware is not easily found. This is why I’ve created this post.

First thing to know is that the power supply has two components – the Power Supply and the Monitor, and both firmware files are updated independently of each other.

The MDP-P905 Power supply can be updated by attaching it to a PC via a USB C cable, and the MDP-M01 can be updated by connecting it to a PC using a microUSB cable. (Hopefully this tidbit of info will save you some time!)

I used my Windows 10 Laptop for the process.

I found the firmware here: http://www.minidso.com/forumdownload/MDP-M01%20MDP-P905%20firmware%20V1.30.zip.

I found this link on the Forum Post that links to the latest firmware releases: Forum Page listing FW: https://www.minidso.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3696&extra=page%3D1%26filter%3Dtypeid%26typeid%3D168

Upgrade Experience

Once I learned what I should do it was fairly easy, except for one glitch on the MDP-P905

Initially I updated the MDP-P905 without any issues. I was able to see that the new firmware was loaded after startup. Then I attempted to update Monitor by incorrectly using the MDP-P905 as the base and I messed it up.

Once I realized this I simply went through the Upgrade process again and my MDP-P905 came back to life.

Sharking the knowledge

Below you’ll find the steps I took to upgrade the firmware on the Power Supply and the Monitor

---

Power Supply Firmware Upgrade: MDP-P905

Update Firmware

Check Firmware on Device

1. Plug into power
2. Tap ‘MENU’
3. Rotate disk until FW shows

Download Firmware

Link I used. I had to cut & paste this into the address bar of my chrome browser, clicking on it from the forum page did not download it. http://www.minidso.com/forumdownload/MDP-M01%20MDP-P905%20firmware%20V1.30.zip

Forum Page listing FW: https://www.minidso.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3696&extra=page%3D1%26filter%3Dtypeid%26typeid%3D168

Extract Firmware

Extract Files from zip file into a folder

Get MDP-P905 into FW update mode

1. Connect USB C cable to Laptop
2. Insert USB C cable into MDP-P905
3. Press & Hold ‘SET’ Button
4. Press & Release Run/Lock button to power on the device

Copy Firmware file onto device

Drag & Drop file ‘MDP_P905_v1.30.113.hex’ onto MDP-P905

Update Firmware via Restart

1. Remove USB C cable from laptop
2. Plug into power supply
3. Upon power up the firmware will be updated
4. Verify by checking the FW version

Display Firmware Upgrade – MDP-M01

Check Firmware on Device

1. Plug microUSB cable into Monitor
2. Plug microUSB Power (do not plug it into laptop)
   1. NOTE: Power is provided via the MDP-P905 in the image below, not via the microUSB->DC Supply
3. Navigate to FW version:
   1. Tap ‘E’ button that represents ‘CONFIG’
   2. Rotate ‘MENU’ scroll one click
   3. Tap ‘C’ button ‘CONFIRM’
   4. Rotate ‘MENU’ scroll one click
   5. Tap ‘C’ button ‘CONFIRM’

Download Firmware

Link I used. I had to cut & paste this into the address bar of my chrome browser, clicking on it from the forum page did not download it. http://www.minidso.com/forumdownload/MDP-M01%20MDP-P905%20firmware%20V1.30.zip

Forum Page listing FW: https://www.minidso.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3696&extra=page%3D1%26filter%3Dtypeid%26typeid%3D168

Extract Firmware

Extract Files from zip file into a folder (you may have already done this if you updated the Power Supply above)

Get MDP-M01 into FW update mode

1. Connect microUSB cable to Laptop
2. Hold ‘A’ button
3. Insert microUSB cable into MDP-M01

Copy Firmware file onto device

Drag & Drop file ‘MDP_M01_v1.30.084.hex’ into MDP-M01 folder

Update Firmware via Restart

1. Remove microUSB cable from laptop
2. Plug into power supply
3. Upon power up the firmware will be updated
4. Verify by checking the FW version