TM4C129x LaunchPad

Hello,

I'd also like to see TM4C129X in a launchpad form. The reason is same like Glenn's, not enough memory on TM4C123G based launchpad...

Thanks!
Karel

Search/need for more memory certainly is valid - simple business economics may be in play here.  Vendor has likely made significant investment (funds, effort, time) to develop this new device - is entitled to a reasonable return.  Would not the "rapid-fire" introduction of such a stripped-down, "launch" cannibalize sales of the far more capable - and existing - Eval board?  And - this vendor is not unique in this "introductory" (more deluxe) product release behavior.

Add to this - the highly predictable & massive, "tech-support issues" - likely to arise from multiple users attempting to significantly "extend" the interface capabilities of a much reduced (i.e. launch-type) MCU board.  (you may note the many - and ongoing - issues already flooding this space - even when "official" add-on boards are employed...)

Suspect two (more realizable) choices remain: a) purchase the device & spin your own board, or b) choose another, more memory capable/available MCU.  If some agreement/alignment in device/capability can be reached - third party development may faster/better provide that which you seek...

It depends on vendor strategy and goals. You are correct, if profit on dev boards is an important enough line item in the annual return. 

I however suspect getting "bums on seats" and "making the switch" are higher priorities, with greater potential for profit. And if so, then LaunchPads for all is your best bet.

Of course scale needs to be taken into consideration with any new product launch. As are marketing concerns, such as the perception that the less exclusive LaunchPad may tarnish brand image for the new top of the range M4 from TI. Indeed, some engineers can be quite elitist about such things, and the LaunchPad's semi-hobbyist status is problematic in that respect.

Your options a) and b) I will take under advisement.

Glenn.

Our group employs multiple ARM MCUs - from multiple vendors.  (thus paid IAR {multi-vendor support} is our choice.)  And - such, "deluxe board intro" for "best/brightest" device is very much, "normal/customary," across multiple vendors.

Consider too the "onslaught" of, "my home-made launch accessory board, "Does Not Work!"  (such boards always deemed "perfect-a-mundo" by (skilled) posters)  Nightmare in the making...

My point - if enough here can "settle" on some device - w/some cluster of accessories - 3rd party may be enticed to answer your call...  (they escape any such "cannibalization" fear/reality)

Perhaps the invading barbarian hordes can be kept at bay.......as the TM4C129x is just a beefier version of the TM4C123G, with a few extra bells and whistles. Hence existing boosterpacks and accessories designed for the TM4C123G LaunchPad should be fine to use. Sample code would also require only minor tweaks.

Glenn.

Glenn Vassallo said:

Hence existing boosterpacks and accessories designed for the TM4C123G LaunchPad should be fine to use.

 Hi Glenn, all boosterpack can fit in DK-TM4c129, try see on link, two boosterpack expansion are provided.

 Also for me that board is expensive and has too many useless whistles on board, it is a good start having an LCD ready to use, IMHO a bare panel to demonstrate internal LCD controller than supplied one. Also on my idea is to use a larger display and again exploiting full device capability using a simple panel with 4BPP to display a gauge graph and sliders just using a slice of internal memory.

Hi Roberto,

Yes I am aware that the current TM4C129x board supports the booster packs, which does indeed mean a LaunchPad variety would also. I was making my point in response to support concerns raised via the strangely yoda-esque eloquence of cb1_mobile.

The Tiva C Series along with the CC3000 from TI are all being marketed as “The Gateway to the Cloud" and “Kickstart the Internet of Things (IoT)" technologies. This is particularly true for the TM4C129x Series, check out its main page to see this product’s focus - http://www.ti.com/lsds/ti/microcontroller/tiva_arm_cortex/c_series/tm4c129x_series/overview.page?paramCriteria=no

This is not surprising, as Cloud and IOT are major technology trends, as predicted by many, including Gartner (some people listen to what they have to say) - http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterhigh/2013/10/14/gartner-top-10-strategic-technology-trends-for-2014/

As with any new technology trend, success is often measured by how much of the limited supply of labor has "switched" to your platform. I think the soon to be retired Steve Ballmer said it best – Developers! Developers! Developers! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8To-6VIJZRE 

And if TI wants to attract as many engineers/developers as possible to their technologies, they need to make it as cheap and accessible as possible. Many, like myself may actually be new to embedded systems programming, and are likely to be doing the innovative work on the edge of growth markets. 

The hard bit for TI, is how to keep everyone happy, you don't want to alienate your bread and butter traditional engineer with established products and markets, while you are trying to attract engineers working on new product categories and markets.

Glenn.

Glenn Vassallo said:

Yes I am aware that the current TM4C129x board supports the booster packs, which does indeed mean a LaunchPad variety would also. I was making my point in response to support concerns raised via the strangely yoda-esque eloquence of cb1_mobile.

 Hi Gleen, I read and I agree with you also last sentence, this platform is good for internet of things but is also useful to many other non internet related task, IEEE1588 precise timing is more devote to industrial control and is where I need.

 CB1 sometimes write good hint but (too LATE EDIT:this word sound as offensive, this was not my intention, sorry for mistake) many time wrote wrote and leave user with same troubles... I remember the stack failure who plagued me on new TIVA launchpad, I got a big nightmare to discover a duplicated stack declaration and just one was active, so max stack was ok for my test but not on real target where stack declaration wasn't the one I changed.... Everyone on this community can contribute to all our success, inspiration and support can help more than searching what seems correct.

Hi Roberto,

Indeed, there are many uses for this new flagship chip from TI. 

As I mentioned I am new to embedded systems programming and MCUs and have learnt a lot from cb1_mobile's posts. But not only have I learnt a lot, I really enjoy reading his posts, his style has a certain something that contributes in turning a potentially dry vendor support forum into a living and breathing online community. 

Glenn.

@ Glenn - "Be still, my (aged) heart..."  Similar tastes/likes may unduly color/influence...  (but I do try)

@ Roberto - "too many times" (of course, undocumented) may not be the most fair (nor accurate) assessment of my time/effort here - most always aimed in the aid of others...

Indeed similarities....I too can be misunderstood....but genius often is....lol

Glenn

cb1_mobile said:

@ Glenn - "Be still, my (aged) heart..."  Similar tastes/likes may unduly color/influence...  (but I do try)

@ Roberto - "too many times" (of course, undocumented) may not be the most fair (nor accurate) assessment of my time/effort here - most always aimed in the aid of others...

 Hi CB1, reading again and again this sound as offensive, please accept my apologizes.

 You are one of major writer here and your stile is to start far away and fine tune in many step so yo many problem are not solvable nor user has knowledge to do so...

 I try'd a more aggressive solving way  in minimal step but many time I failed too, I don't know which one is better but as I wrote every effort is necessary to solve problems, so CB_1 your style here is unique and forever present, you write a ton of answer but problem are too much and this way you walk all over the way also hitting the unsolvable. This is great and never useless, when I found a big problem ping pong was useless, I solved problem analyzing every option of compiler but I greatly appreciated your effort also if never hit the real problem, I am not a beginner but forever trouble hit us and the some I got now are taking me away from here...

 CB_1 thank a lot for assistance, I add apologizes to original post and I promise I return when I fell good again.

Yes, please, TI!  I also very much desire a TIva C TM4C129x LaunchPad.  It can facilitate rapid prototypes that can be packaged and presentable.  I can't imagine that cutting into the sales of the $200 dev kit would be much of a consideration for TI.  By offering both the launchpad and the fancier dev kit, you increase the community that gets "hooked" on the TIva C TM4C129x, both hobby and comercial alike.  It seems to me that this would tend to provide the best overall TIva C TM4C129x sales in the long run -- which has to be the real goal.

Jill Bensen said:

I can't imagine that cutting into the sales of the $200 dev kit would be much of a consideration

While your imagination surely is to be respected - might the fact that multiple, other MCU makers promote their newly introduced, high-end products - in a near identical manner - confound?  (i.e. promote via more complete/capable board - encompassing many bells/whistles - with all accessory chips & connection paths/signals well considered & fully implemented.)

Experience & sensitivity/awareness to that which is, "normal/customary" for an industry or sub-segment - may trump, "wish/hope - or (even)  imagination..."  And (warning: potential dagger follows) might the introduction of such a low-cost board - loaded w/this "deluxe" MCU - kill or substantially injure the sales of all other launchpads?  (Imagine (i.e. consider) that...)

cb1_mobile said:

And (warning: potential dagger follows) might the introduction of such a low-cost board - loaded w/this "deluxe" MCU - kill or substantially injure the sales of all other launchpads?  (Imagine (i.e. consider) that...)

 Hi CB1, I agree with you this device cannot fit a small launchpad board nor can cost be matched due to complexity of pinout, a lot of board space is required for accessory like SD socket, Network USB and CAN socket...
 Size and price  like DK123 series  (149US$) is adeguate and to my perspection no way to route high speed signal on a dual layer board is feasible. Selling it at half of complete DK cannot help market, offering it without LCD can help much more if someone (like me) don't need it or need a different LCD size.

 On my design I used a dual layer PCB but both Ethernet and Network are not fully impedance matched, this design is not using fast signal on peripheral so no special path is required, again on high speed some length/impedance compensation need to be in place, this is very hard on a cheap pcb, so as for DK price on range 100-200US$ are of course matching device cat.
 At last but not least this processor has some special feature on chip preventing to be exported everywhere, may be on future some new cheap board come to market and can be sold everywhere unrestricted.

 I am planning buy DK129 just now I am sure I get samples in a few day, otherwise as I wrote before too many useless Stellaris DK are on the shelf also with an unusable nearly finished prototype. :(

Hi Roberto,

We find your analysis far more thoughtful and compelling than another's - that one based solely upon (undocumented) "imagination."    The multiple facts and significant, necessary detail you provide - really blend logic & design realities - they quite simply, "make your case." 

In contrast, "wish/hope - even imagination," all appear outside, normal/customary, court sanctioned, "facts in evidence."  (unless perhaps, "imagination" drifts or borderlines as "hearsay" - yet still uncommon!)

Believe that you are an educator or "in that field," Roberto.  Our group has purchased over 30 such Eval/Dev boards over time here - over 100 when extended to other ARM MCU offerings - and w/passage of time - like you - many see declining (or no) use.  Might I suggest donating these to a local school, university, tech club or similar? 

Suspect that ebay may provide a means to, retrieve/harvest some cash - should that be your objective.  Having many boards may make your listing even more enticing - we've done this w/success while having donated to schools, too...

Thanks for your recent kindness - this reporter is not everyone's "favorite" - yet on balance - may yield more joy than sorrow... (one hopes...)

Hi Roberto and cb1_mobile,

Having worked on the data analysis side of marketing, I can assure you that "logical" analysis of the technical "facts" rarely equals market wants and desires.

This is why the best products are those created when engineers and marketers work together. Engineers know what is possible, marketers know how to package a product into what many desire.

And back to the data analysis side of the equation. This thread in the short time it has been going has gathered 588 views. I would hope that no fact seeking engineer would ignore this very compelling piece of data. I am certainly no data capable marketer would.

Glenn.

p.s. cb1_mobile, we may disagree on some points, but you are still my favourite poster at this online community forum.

@ Glenn,

Thank you, Sir - this reporter now "favorite" of two.   No. 1 has (almost) escaped the comfy confines of my trunk... 

Freedom beckons though - threatening tilt of tall, unwashed dish stack - now likely requires soft skilled, "fact seeking" attention...  (and that trunk - now meets/exceeds federale, white-glove standard)

Smart as you are Glenn - you/other protesters (resistant to this reporter's sound view) run fast/far from the unavoidable truth - the announcement of your holy grail potentially (likely, methinks) places the on-going Sale of each/every existing launch board in harm's way.  Perhaps some/any modern example of a, "for profit" firm - destructively engaging as you, hopeful/imagining others encourage - would add some (slight) credence to your  plea...

Hi all,

  I would like to have a low cost board for the TM4C129 too. See the U$ 24 STM32F429IDiscovery example. It has LCD, 64Mbis SDRAM, USB otg, etc.

  TM4C129 board with only the Ethernet, USB and SDRAM would be great.

Ari Mendes dos Santos said:

STM32F429IDiscovery example

 Hi Ari, that processor appear in comparable range to TM129x without internal ETH PHY but some other extra peripheral like camera and LCD....

 That board appear to be gifted to market just like the launchpad is, IMHO again I searched for an alternative to LM3S92D or what it was so I remain there.. That ST board is really interesting but to compare to DK board need add all is missing on board, items that rise the price, quote for an additional board with magnetics, ETH PHY, CAN.a large fast LCD and price is no more launchpad range.

@ Roberto,

Well detailed & stated -  merci, Roberto.

Let the record show - that board's price (can you say, "loss leader") shows some serious, recent "upswing" - and others/elsewhere have indicated that the stated price may be shortly - or has already - been deemed, unsustainable...

As you state, Roberto - key (and implementation demanding) peripherals w/in TM129x work best w/ special board/layout - care/handling - and this naturally raises cost...  The alternative - allowing those w/out full training/awareness to implement mated, accessory boards (as is done now w/launchpads) very likely will open, "Pandora's Box" of, "Does not Work!"  (delightful always - that...)

Mating a thoroughbred race-horse to a simple push-cart is rarely seen - most often for good reason...

cb1_mobile said:

The alternative - allowing those w/out full training/awareness to implement mated, accessory boards (as is done now w/launchpads) very likely will open, "Pandora's Box" of, "Does not Work!"  (delightful always - that...)

 I partially disagree or not,  CB1 and Glenn please try compare my point of view, I see on boosterpack the solution to a good storage plan and simple spreading over platform too, next move can what is missing: LCD boosterpacks.

 IMHO this is the best move on DK board, at cost of ONE large multilayer PCB offer mating to two pieces of Boosterpack and also to RF modules, this act as a BARE complete development kit. This was sold in the past  for thousand dollar different specialized DK and NOW adapted to  hundred  leaving customer to populate what to buy on demand mating very closely to design.

 This is more and more better than a small LCD on a bare pcb, all device/software offered too, are modular and multiplatform, a choice not to forget on choice. I am developing code for C2000, TIVA and MSP too so code is simply usable with some HAL module on every platform I use, this is to remember on cost, large PCB cost a lot but having just one modularized DK reduce stocking cost and fine tune to user too. I suppose this is the best match from tech and commercial price performance obtaining a good multiplatform max performance and lower cost...I can reuse hardware and software thru all platform, this save also environment pollution too!!

Software reuse and testing is another big trouble and having ready to use tested module can help a lot reduce time to market too.. Don't forget usable software in contrast to simple demo kit...

cb1_mobile said:

Mating a thoroughbred race-horse to a simple push-cart is rarely seen - most often for good reason...

 Again this is good done with this new series DK mating big chip special module and cheap Boosterpack on all platform, this can sound as a race cart with accessory ;)

IMHO this is great also if TI got all us suffering a big disease on NRND and stock failure!!!

http://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/tiva_arm/f/908/t/318933.aspx

:-)

(I hope my smiley isn't premature)