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EK-TM4C1294XL: Stack two Launchpads on top of each other

Art Mecina
Genius 16655 points
Part Number: EK-TM4C1294XL

Hi E2E,

Good day.

We have a customer asking if two EK-TM4C1294XL Launchpads can be stack on top of each other 
and get the MCUs to communicate through SSI?

Thanks in advance!

Art

  • 0
    TI__Guru*** 135355 points

    Hello Art,

    In general that should not be done without board modifications as the power supplies for both would conflict which would cause board damage unless the power pins are bent to avoid this on the lower LaunchPad.

    However, very specifically for SSI, it wouldn't even work. That would tie TX to TX and RX to RX so no communication could happen.

  • 0 in reply to Ralph Jacobi
    Guru 117855 points

    Vendor's Ralph has given, 'Excellent Advice' - and backed that up w/'first cabin' detail.    Always great to see/read.

    Now - w/that said - several of our clients have expressed highly similar, 'Poster Desire.'    Our conclusion - design & implement an, 'Intermediate, Connection-Managing/Translating Board.'     

    Some of our details follow:    (Note - some ... Not  ALL!)

    • Disallow the 5V and 3V3 pins from, 'Coming together.'
    • Disallow 'all' of the 'Serial Ports' (SPI, I2C, UARTs) from, 'Coming together.'
    • And then Disallow any/all GPIO pins from, 'Coming together.'

    Indeed - the above proves, 'A really lot of work' - thus the 'Stack Board Goal' proves a, 'Brutal Failure!'    Perhaps (even) Disallowed!

    Instead - our clients have designed a, 'Mother-Board like' (a larger board) into which, 'Multiple LPads' may be inserted.

    In addition - we guided clients to, 'Reorganize the various Ports (GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART)' so that, 'Like Peripheral Signals were grouped/clustered' - enabling 'Eased & Reduced' cable connections to the outside world!    

    Special Note:  This 'Natural, Cluster of 'Like Peripheral Signals' was also implemented on a, 'Plug-In board' - the 'same size' as the mating LPad.    (And optionally includes 'other' Advantaged Features!)

  • 0 in reply to cb1_mobile
    TI__Guru*** 135355 points

    I like the idea of a 'mother-board'! Should be easy to design and would be a very clean interface if done well, which should be easy with a blueprint already laid out from experience.

  • 0 in reply to Ralph Jacobi
    Guru 117855 points

    Ralph Jacobi said:
    ,,, would be a very clean interface if done well, which should be easy with a blueprint already laid out from experience.

    Absolutement mon ami ... absolutement!  

    You mention 'experience' - and indeed - if & when 'Properly Conceived & Implemented' - such design elements may be regularly 'REUSED' - which key clients  (especially) LOVE!     (i.e. 'Keeps our doors open...')

    Perhaps not so obvious - this 'Mother Board' approach, 'Speeds, Eases & Enhances' LPad Code Development & testing (as multiple I2C, SPI, UART chips & a monitoring Display) are (optionally) 'on-board' - & already properly connected!)     Each board may be programmed individually - or via Daisy Chain - thus Code Development may proceed in Parallel - more quickly 'catching errors & enabling corrections!'

  • 0 in reply to cb1_mobile
    TI__Genius 16655 points

    Hi Guys,

    Thanks for the excellent support on this!

    Art