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How to check if TIDA 00293 is connected properly and operating as intended

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLPC350, TIDA-00293, DLP4500

Support,

I have TIDA 00293 and need to program it. But first of all I need to check that it is connected properly and operates as intended. I can connect to it using USB cable via LightCrafter program (see LightCrafter.png) and turn LEDs on/off.

However when using PrinterGUI software the USB cable alone is not sufficient and TTL-232R-3V3 cable is needed with the FTDI chip to launch the software (PrinterGUI.png).

 

Unfortunately I cannot set the image with this program although it does not show any error messages (via USB cable the original firmware image is reset to the the blank screen). When I disconnect the TTL-232R-3V3 from TIDA 00293 I get exactly the same result. Therefore I made a conclusion that both, the USB cable and the TTL-232R-3V3 cable are involved in the data transfer and it is not clear how exactly it works. The connection I used for TTL-232R-3V3 cable to J25 pins in the TIDA 00293 with the following sequence: GND->GND, RXD->TDI, TXD->TMS1.

I've checked also with another tool the HIDAPI Test tool (HIDAPI Test tool.png, don't mind the missing device because it was not connected when I've made the screenshot).

I am able to connect to the TIDA 00293 using USB cable but when I send the output or the feature report I always get the parameter size is incorrect (although I've use the examples which must have replied with the correct answer).

One more thing to mention is that I've tried to launch QT and build the firmware of the TIDA 00293 with the compiler but I get an error announcing that I need an old version of compiler 3.3.3, which I couldn't find where to download.

First question is: is the TTL-232R-3V3 cable connected properly, if not how should it be connected (I could not find explanations in the manuals of the particular meanings of the abbreviations in the electronic scheme)?

The second question is: how do I check that the device is connected and functions properly so that I can try to figure out how to program it according to the DLPC350 programming protocol.

The third question is: how the data transfer is done exactly, do I always need both cables or is it possible to configure it to function with only one cable for data transfer, if it is an USB cable how do I configure it to operate as a Virtual serial port?

Thanks in advance,

Almis

  • Almis,

    Thank you for your question. With regards to the compiler, you can find archived versions of QT here: https://download.qt.io/archive/qt/

    It's been a while since we've had any questions on this design - give us a little time and we'll get back to you on your questions.

    Thanks,

    Paul

  • Hello Almis,

    You will need both cables connected to run the system. 

    You should start with chapter 2 of the Introduction to the DLP® 3D Printer Reference Design:

    http://www.ti.com/lit/ug/dlpu025/dlpu025.pdf

    Follow the instructions in chapter 2 and 3 explicitly.  This should test that it works with the precompiled version of the DLP 3D Printer exectable in the TI-Design.

    These instructions assume that you have built the unit to the same specifications as the TI-Design unit.  Specifically that you have wired the stand-alone capable BeagleBone MSTP Cape (MSP430) as specified in the design to the stepper motors and 4-line LCD screen (see §'s 1.3.6 & 1.3.7 of the document linked above.

    If you have already done this and still are experiencing issues, let us know.

    Fizix

  • Hello Fizix,

    Thank you for reply. I'm sorry for the confusion but actually the firmware failed to build from the code composer studio, not the QT, requiring the compiler version 3.3.3.

    I've tried to install older versions of Code composer studio, but 5.0.0 fails to open the firmware project, and 5.5.0 already has a compiler which is newer. I couldn't find where to download the compilers, all the available sites that are in the "available software sites" list do not contain compilers. One of them (I already forgot which one exactly) was supposed to contain compilers but is not accessible.

    As for the cable connection I have received the device with the TTL-232R-3V3 cable and the connection made (not by myself) according to the procedures in the ""> DLP® LightCrafter™ 4500 Flash Programming Guide" for the connection of JTAG (J25). As far as I understand I should connect to RS232 port (J20), using RXD->RS232_RX, TXD->RS232_TX and grounds. The J20 connector has 6 pins, whereas the electrical scheme in the page 17 of this  manual has a different number of connections, therefore I'm totally confused. The manual you refered me to refers to another manual stating "The
    connections that must be added are highlighted in red in the cape schematic in the TIDA-00293 design file
    package." but I did not find anything marked in red, nor anything that would seem to represent the connection.

    So these questions still remain:

    1) how to compile the firmware project (which version of code composer studio is suitable or where I can find the compilers for download) and is it really necessary to make the DLP responsive?

    2) which pins on J20 correspond to the RS232_RX, RS232_TX and Ground (the last one as I understand will be the rightmost pin, but I need to be sure because I guess the device will burn if a wrong connection will be used), maybe there is a scheme for non-electrical-engineer which only shows the final inputs of these pins without all the complications?

    Thanks in advance,

    Almis

  • Hello Paul,

    thank you for reply. But I have made a mistake saying that it was QT which caused problems, whereas in fact it was a code composer studio, which failed to compile a project containing firmware of the DLP device.

    Almis
  • Hi Almis,

    Can you take a look at this video? www.youtube.com/watch I think it may help you solve your problem,

    You could also check out these links: processors.wiki.ti.com/.../GSG:Importing_projects_from_previous_versions
    processors.wiki.ti.com/.../Importing_Projects_into_CCS

    They provide some information on how to import projects from old versions in new versions. I would also recommend that you post a question in the CCS E2E forums - those guys will be able to easily help you with your request.

    I can't access your linked manual, so I'm not sure what document you're referencing with regards to the confusion on the JTAG connectors. In terms of where the connections go, you should build your cable such that when you insert your Molex 51021-0600 connector into J25, that GND is on the right side (same side that the USB connector is on). With that you should be able to fill in the rest of the spots on your connector. Hope that's clear.

    I would also recommend downloading the reference schematics for the LCr4500: www.ti.com/.../DLP4500-C350REF

    Thanks,
    Paul
  • Hello Paul,

    thank you for reply. I have managed to compile the project of Code composer studio and made a connection to the RS232 Port, which appeared to be a phone-jack. However, the presence of TTL-232R-3V3 to RS232 cable connection makes no difference: I cannot send any signals and Code Composer studio shows error "USB FET not found". Do you have any ideas what might be wrong? Is the device not functioning properly? The LightCrafter 4500 GUI works fine with just a standard USB cable, however for programming the device I was told that I need to use TTL-232R-3V3 cable which allows to transfer data as with a serial port.

    Thanks,
    Almis
  • Hi Almis,

    The USB FET is the programming tool for the MSP430. Do you have an MSP-FET430UIF? The other piece you might be missing is the MSTP cape. Is that something you have?

    Section 3.2 is what you're looking to follow and I believe that you're getting an error because the code is trying to program something that is not connected.

    If you can confirm that you have all the pieces of the system properly connected as shown in this document, that would be quite helpful.

    Thanks,

    Paul

  • Hello Paul,

    thank you for reply. I didn't know that additional tool is needed and thought that only the proper connection is needed with the cable. I will see to that.

    Almis
  • Hello Paul,

    I have the following tools available:

    1) MSPFET 430 flash emulation tool

    2) UM232H

    3) TTL-232R-3V3

    4) USB cable

    and TIDA-00293 DLP4500 evaluation module.

    According to the Printer user guide (dlpu025) section 3.2 I should connect MSPFET 430 to J5 of "BeagleBone MSTP Cape". Is this Cape a separate module, i.e.

    Could you please give me a reference where can I find information how to connect it properly so that I can program DLP4500 evaluation module. Does debuging it with TIDA-00293 firmware project (available with the TIDA-00293 software package) with MSPFET 430 cable requires different set of configuration?

    Thanks,

    Almis

  • Hello Almis,

    You should start with these schematics:

    1. http://www.ti.com/lit/df/tidra57/tidra57.pdf
    2. http://www.ti.com/lit/df/tidra58/tidra58.pdf
    3. http://www.ti.com/lit/df/tidra59/tidra59.pdf

    Those should show you how to connect the different parts of the system. 

    Fizix

  • Hello Almis,

    I forgot to mention that the Beaglebone MSTP cape is a separate compontent that was made by PlanoCAD.
    Apparently they do not make it anymore, and I am unable to find any available, even on ebay.

    Fizix
  • Hello Fizix,

    thank you for reply. How should I connect the printer to the PC properly to be able to upload images if the MSTP cape is not available any more? Are there any alternative options, can I skip the procedure of uploading the firmware to MSTP cape with Code composer studio, as described in section 3.2 of DLPU025, TIDA-00293 DLP 3D Printer User’s Guide?

    Best regards,
    Almis

  • The issue is going to be that the MSTP cape contained the stepper motor drivers required operation of the 3D printer. The way that this particular reference design was done, it relies on that cape to function properly.

    The way forward would be to design or re-purpose a different micro-controller based stepper motor driver so that you can control the print stage. By using the reference code, you could see how it was done in the past and write new code for the platform you choose following similar principles. The microcontroller will have to have a trigger output so that it can control the Lightcrafter 4500 and advance the patterns.

    I'm sorry that this design has components which are no longer produced. We will take a note of this and clarify this on the TI Design page.

    -Paul