TM4C129DNCPDT: CUSTOMIZED BOARD

Hi,
Do you also have a TM4C ek-tm4c1294xl LaunchPad? The LaunchPad contains a TM4C1294NCPDT part. The difference between 129DNCPDT and 1294NCPDT is on the security module, one has it and other part doesn't. So from software perspective, you can reference most of the software examples available for the ek-tm4c1294xl LaunchPad in the TivaWare package. For hardware, it really depends on your application. You can also take a look at the Launchpad schematic if that is what you are looking to get some ideas.

First, software:
Obtain a non-customized board, such as the EK-TM4C129XL. Learn how to use the "standard, free" IDE named Code Composer Studio, and TI's driver library TivaWare. Compile basic projects like blinking leds. That's the same type of software you will use to program your customized board later on.

Now, hardware:
Start based on trusted schematics. The very schematics of the launchpad above is simple and works, but there is room for improvement there. Look at more advanced development boards, or post your doubts here, or read all details of datasheets. Then design your schematic and board according to your needs.

May we note that (both) responders failed to "specifically discourage" this "early" user from such "Custom Board Design as FIRST Effort!"

Clearly - the normal/customary document gathering & read/review (crucially required for any such demanding attempt) - has yet to occur.

Starting w/"custom" has almost NO CHANCE of success.   A foundation NEEDS to be built - experience, knowledge & confidence must be (rightly) gained.

Only then - and still w/great difficulty - should a custom MCU board be attempted. (if one hopes for "reasonable" success)

thank you for your reply Charles Tsai, I don't have any board. I just want to start designing a custom board for my research project.
will the schematics be same for the launch pad and my custom board. I mean like resistors, capacitors for power supply, oscillators, ethernet connection, etc? Do they change for each application?

Hi,
Please take advice from cb1. The LaunchPad is affordable at $20 so I will suggest you purchase one. Once you develop your software/hardware and if something does not work, you can also port the code to the launchpad and see if it works. It helps you to isolate problems during your development. The launchpad can be used as a reference. It is your responsibility to verify your own design.

Thank you, Charles - your support much appreciated.    We must ask, "Is it (ever) appropriate to identify poster's "idea" as "unsound?"   (such is NOT disloyal to forum vendor or posters)

Poster writes, "...just want to start designing a custom board for my research project."   Has he the required skill, time, contacts, experience and "commitment" - to attempt (so demanding) a task?   We note that he "just"wants to" - which signifies a gross under-appreciation for the so challenging, task ahead.   If my assessment of poster's vast under estimate of the time & effort required proves true - will that not "greatly reduce" the time & effort available for poster's "research?"   Is this poster - in any way - properly qualified to gauge the extent of, "Time/Effort demanded" by, "Just a custom board design?"   Should his "research" be "other" than the, "Design of a custom MCU board" - far too much time & effort will be expended by this "incidental, custom pcb design task!"    Should we not - so advise - this poster?

Firm/I are located in a major USA city - more than 20 major universities are w/in 25 miles of our office - we often are called to "rescue" such "improperly/optimistically estimated" such tasks.

A typical research project will not reach production - thus the use of a, "Known good, professionally designed, well proven board (such as the Launchpad)" makes spectacular sense.   Note too - questions & issues are "bound to arise" - no one here will have proper knowledge/insights into any "custom board" - ALL here will be highly familiar w/the Launchpads!    Thus poster has "culled himself" from the herd - and that for (unexplained) reasons.

A solution which has worked for many such "research projects" firm/I have assisted is the "Combined use of the Launchpad with far simpler, "custom board(s)!"   This approach enables software development to commence immediately - while greatly, "Speeding, Easing, Enhancing" the development of (far simpler) custom board(s).   These "custom boards" will then contain the features/functions/devices - NOT resident upon the Launchpad - yet required by poster's "research."   These "custom boards" may exchange data w/the Launchpad - in satisfaction of poster's research requirements.

Such is (another) example of "KISS" - exploit what exists, what is "known good/capable" - while avoiding/reducing the "difficult & unknown!"    Add only that which is truly necessary - yet unavailable on the LPad(s).    

This method insures that far more time is available for poster's central mission "research" and saves him from the "sin" of under-estimating the demands of an unknown & most complex task!

thank you for your suggestions.
Will try. :)

Thank you - kindly note that (usually) designers targeting 100MHz+ MCU pcbs have (multiple) years of progressive, focused design experience.

Your choice of, "leaving the heavy lifting to the experts" (i.e. design/assembly of such an MCU board) will enable you to (more) properly focus upon your "real" research.   Should your (personally) designed MCU board "have issues" - what then?    Goodbye schedule!     (you may read here - near daily - of the "trials/tribulations" of those (minus key, pcb design experience) designing such, "failing, custom MCU boards!")

The task of designing/developing, "Added function pcbs" should prove far less demanding - but do follow all design notes/guides provided by the IC vendors. To save time - and insure your (very) best results - you may even consider purchasing "Eval boards" from these "added function" IC vendors.  

Mastering the "art/science" of pcb design - in support of modern, high performance ICs - is NOT a, "walk in the park."    Far better that you manage the proper "interconnect" of several "Pro designed pcbs" - which frees you from the massive, demanding/distracting "pcb design, learning curve."   (which proves SO FAR from your research objective)

Best of luck...