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EK-TM4C123GXL: Initialize new program with the new chip from factory.

Yo Shua
Prodigy 240 points
Part Number: EK-TM4C1294XLTM4C1294NCPDT
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: LMFLASHPROGRAMMER, TM4C1294NCPDT, SEGGER, UNIFLASH

Greetings,

This is my first time to proceed from evaluation kit into the design implementation. I would like to minimize the footprint, so I will not put any USB interface or JTAG(UART) if it is possible. Of course I have been investigating the Manual for TM4C Bootloader API and LMFLASHPROGRAMMER, and it seems it is possible for me to use Ethernet as programming port.

I will use TM4C1294NCPDT as my MCU and I read that "Internal ROM loaded with TivaWare™ for C Series software".

The question that I have are:

1)If I buy the chip from Digikey/Mouser, does a bootloader come with it?

2)If  #1) is Yes, can I use the LMFLASHPROGRAMMER to download the .bin from CCS and the device will have the same function as my evaluation board?

3)if  #1) is No, how can I be able to initially program it?

4) What are the tools that I needed to download the program, if I am using the JTAG(Uart) -- I can possibly buy the USB->TTL3.3V or using any recommendation hardware that are easy to use. But, I believe that if TM4C comes with bootloader in it, I can just possibly use Ethernet to initialize the program files.

5) Do you have any suggestion so that I can easily mass produce this MCU (around 100) by myself?

Thanks,

Yo Shua

  • 0
    Guru 13040 points

    Yo Shua said:
    If I buy the chip from Digikey/Mouser, does a bootloader come with it?

    Yes

    Yo Shua said:
    can I use the LMFLASHPROGRAMMER to download the .bin from CCS and the device will have the same function as my evaluation board?

    I haven't done that via Ethernet. Before finishing your design, read the bootloader guide and try to implement on a Launchpad a successful complete bootloading via Ethernet. There are other posts on the forum that will help you there if you get lost there.

    www.ti.com/.../spmu301

    However, I still suggest you try to squeeze a JTAG port onto your board. Even if you don't solder the connectors, it will be VERY USEFUL to have the access during your development. If you really don't want to use the footprint, maybe you can create the necessary exposed pads on a pattern underneath your board, and fit your boards to a programming jig with a JTAG connector. It will save you both the time for figuring out the whole bootloader story, as well as time during code development. To program your board via JTAG, once you physically access it, you can use a cheap TM4C129 launchpad as the PC interface, and a small program like LM Flash.

    Your mentioning of JTAG with a (UART) next to it seems confusing. JTAG and UART are two completely different things, make sure you understand that.

    As for the first batch production, you can order both the boards and assembly from factories around Shenzhen, for example. If you want to populate the boards yourself (really?), then at least order the solder paste stencil with the boards and prefer an oven than hand solder...

    Bruno

  • 0
    Guru 27665 points

    Yo Shua said:
    so I will not put any USB interface or JTAG

    Stop right now and reconsider. Leaving off the JTAG interface is a bad idea.

    Yo Shua said:
    Do you have any suggestion so that I can easily mass produce this MCU (around 100) by myself?

    That's not mass production, but unless you are experienced with hand soldering fine pitch surface mount I'd find an assembly house that can either hand solder or better , as Bruno suggested, use proper reflow..

    Robert

  • 0 in reply to Robert Adsett
    Prodigy 240 points

    Thanks for the answers. One last question, for the JTAG, do you have any recommendation that I can use aside from Eval Board? Like Xilinx or XDS200?

    And if I use XDS200, I should use CCS to download the flash. Is there any possibilities that I can use somekind like XDS200 and utilize it on LMFLASHPROGRAMMER?

    Thanks,

  • 0 in reply to Yo Shua
    Guru 27665 points
    I and others here use Segger's J-Link.

    I don't use CCS.

    In both cases I prefer not to be tied to a particular micro vendor. Quality of implementation is a separate, although related issue.

    Robert
  • 0 in reply to Yo Shua
    Guru 13040 points
    While Robert is a few steps above and make use of broader tools, I still use the pair CCS/XDS.

    So to answer Yo's questions:
    - For JTAG with TI programs, you can use XDS100, XDS110, XDS200, XDS560, the ICDI's present on Launchpads, and other things.
    - You don't need to use CCS to download the flash - you can create a .bin image, and a person with a PC with programs like LMFlash or UniFlash will be able to copy the firmware into your board, with no need to access your code or project.

    I'll eventually get there, Robert (and others)!

    Bruno
  • 0 in reply to Yo Shua
    Guru 117855 points

    As always - posters' justification for "special requirements" - are completely absent!       Indeed - just WHY is JTAG Header (which may be as small as "10 pin, 0.050" pitch, dual row (2x5)" so resisted?

    Your desire to, "Avoid JTAG" (did we note that (strong) desire was unexplained) has forced all kinds of ADDED EFFORT, TIME, COMPLEXITY - upon you!      Just HOW might that be (ever) justified?

    The "tools mentioned" enjoy 1/100th (likely even less) the Sales Volume of the (properly) Vendor Agnostic tools (such as J-Link) available from Segger @ educational discount.     Use of a lesser tool cannot be justified - will S L O W you development w/"EVERY USAGE" - most always such (lesser) tools are chosen by those w/out proper experience and/or awareness!

    Vendor IDE is equally questionable - there is a VAST ARMY of ARM MCUs - far beyond those (very few) presented here.    A "proper" IDE accommodates the MCUs from (nearly) ALL Vendors - anything less prevents you from a, "FULL & PROPER" Selection of "Best MCU for the job."     How can that (ever) make sense - be justified?      

    Note that, "lack of awareness of the law will NOT enable your escape from punishment due to that law's violation!"      So too - failed awareness may force you to "lesser tools" - never good...

    And, "lack of awareness of more mature, more robust, much more "reaching" IDE/JTAG/SWD PODs will prove limiting & thus costly - upon a "per-use" basis..."

  • 0 in reply to cb1_mobile
    Prodigy 240 points
    Regarding to c1_mobile's answer, to reduce the development time. Which IDE is recommended then? Or which tools is recommended to develop my own custom board? Thanks
  • 0 in reply to Yo Shua
    Guru 117855 points

    Believe "J-Link" - from Segger - appeared (twice) w/in this thread. (via poster Robert et moi)

    Pro IDEs (Keil & IAR) have free, code-size limited versions - enabling their use & ability to target MANY ARM MCUs - from MANY Vendors.    "Locking yourself into one vendor - forever" - can not be justified when the "ARM Playing Field includes: "M0, M0+, M3 (departed here), M4 and M7!"

    As several have stated here - JTAG IS and REMAINS - the SUPERIOR MODE (by far) of Code Debug & Programming - is easily accommodated via 10 pin (mini) header AND external, Pull-Up Rs (important) - and LATER may be "bypassed" (via DNF - Do Not Fill) pcb instruction.    (should "other" methods of code-load be (still) of interest...)