New LM4F - Cortex M4 - Eval Boards - great!

What version of EWARM is available on the CD?

As stated - related post - we have paid version of IAR - paid no attention to that on CD.  Will check either later tonight or early tomorrow & report.

The IAR on the CD is the "KickStart" version 6.21

Keep us posted on your experiences.

@Stellaris Dexter/interested others-

Our group fortunate to receive 2 M4 kits - (dif't size MCUs).   First kit had "no" CD - instead all needed data was included on USB drive supplied w/kit.  Second kit - pictured above - supplied a "blank" USB drive - and a CD.  Usually - and many forum posts and TI responders note this - use of the supplied CD is "not" the best choice as newer material is available from the TI site.   Must report - that CD we received with this new kit is "best ever" - all material "very current" (8038DRL) and brand new, nicely organized write-ups and guides.  Now - everything in ONE Place! 

This new M4F kit is extensive - well documented - should have something for everyone...  In this case users may wish to alter normal "rtfm" to "rtfcd" - really good stuff therein.

Thanks for the feedback!  I will pass it along to the team.

Hi,

 Is there a smaller version of evaluation board in a pipeline?

This one physically doesn't fit my robotic platform.

I have seen a video preview (with Miguel) showing a different LM4F... board.

As well if possible to shrink the price as and make it closer to

stm32f4discovery (<$20 - http://au.element14.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?id=2009276&Ntt=stm32f4discovery).

I know it's a cruel world and the competition is very strong. Keep up good job and don't give up.

Regards

Jan

jan2809 said:

This one physically doesn't fit my robotic platform.

Surely -  heads will roll @ TI marketing!  ("how" could such a vast need be missed?)

Forgive me - our group finds this 144 pin QFP M4F board most excellent in high-lighting the many features/capabilities of TI's new M4F.  Certainly the pcb could have been "stripped down" - but ease of use and multiple, extensive application solutions ("all" fully on board - btw) thankfully won out.  Full fledged, color GUI (albeit a small one), on-board 3 axis accelerometer, temp sensor, USB port, eased, real-world (to 20V) ADC quick connects and vast GPIO/PWM/Timers - each with well-defined, functional software - deliver an efficient, extremely broad user experience.

We've seen/used board you've referenced - by the time "extra boards" are designed/developed/debugged (to make such board real-world usable) costs have multiplied.  Minimal MCU board suggested best left to Olimex/others - hate to see TI's unique/skilled tech resource "diluted" by hundreds of "board to board" interconnect and software issues. 

cb1,

Everyone is different and I can acknowledge and respect it.

I have a number of various LM3F boards and the ones well suited to my needs are for example:

LM3S6965 Ethernet Eval Board

LM3S9D92 Eval Board

Evalbot and more...

I still have the right to express my opinion (feedback) and ask questions (politely).

Regards

Jan

@jan - of course you do - really no right/wrong - simply tried humor to support TI's marketing choice. 

Believe that a "purpose designed/built" board - using new M4F - will best meet your need for size/performance.  (our firm is undertaking this same tack - we also are size constrained - yet benefit greatly by having "so many" features/functions all available on the Eval board)  Wish you well on your quest...

Jan,

Wanted to let you know that we have heard your request and will consider it. We hear a request for a small and inexpensive kit often. 

The board in the preview video with Miquel was a very limited quantity board mostly for internal use. It will not be available as a kit at this time.  It is actually physically larger than the EK-LM4F232H5QD

Dexter

@Dexter - you are to be commended for always being interested/helpful - going the "extra mile."

That said - our group was fortunate to receive the larger - 1st M4F board mentioned (populated w/157 pin BGA MCU).  Second M4F eval switched to 144 pin QFP - a substantially larger package.  As you are no doubt aware - the vast number of GPIO/alternate functions of such a beast resulted in a 45 pin, 0.1" pitch, array of pth along one side of the eval pcb.  (other side of the pcb almost as dense w/pth)  So - seems that "smaller/cheaper" Eval Bd likely best achieved with a down-sized package M4F.  (believe that 64 pin is "in the cards.")  Danger with the "excise" of key "added features" (i.e. color Oled & switch array, tri-axis accel, ADC conditioning/quick connect, neat USB accommodation) is that newer clients may "deluge" this special TI tech resource with "board to board" interconnect/signal management issues - often extending beyond the intent of a "Stellaris" forum.  (this has clearly resulted w/ similar "stripped-down" offering of "another.")  (he who does not study history...) 

Hate to see TI's "great" investment/commitment to "unmatched, skilled/caring, hi-level tech support" - be diluted...  (think "unintended consequences"...)

As small manufacturer, sometimes consultant - large/medium/small clients ALL "rave"  about the level, depth and sustained support TI "showers" on this forum.  (and other TI forums as well - but especially this Stellaris community)  TI's effort and continued commitment is greatly appreciated - kindly relay our/clients' appreciation and thanks...

Dexter,

Thanks for that. That's much appreciated.

The form factor of LM3S6965 and LM3S9D92 is a great compromise IMHO.

I can use it almost as it is, only connecting my stuff (sensors, transceivers, etc.)

and it is easily mounted into standard rail enclosure - see pictures.

Regards

Jan