MCF8316AEVM: MCF8316AEVM GUI only opens when launched from installer. GUI crashes during motor setup.

Hi Kris,

Thanks for posting your question in the MD forum.

• Does the GUI show any error messages before crashing? (Please attach any screenshots if possible).
• Please make sure that the MCF8316AEVM is powered up through VBAT or VM before attempting to connect to the GUI through USB.
• Could you please show me the EVM's jumper and switch settings that you are using?

Thanks.

Regards,
Eric C.

Hi Eric,

1. There are no error messages before crashing.

2. I have made sure the EVM is first powered via VBAT prior to USB connection.

3. Please see attached photo of my setup.

So the GUI will only run after it is launched from the installer.  Once the GUI crashes or I close it on my own, I can never open the GUI again unless I reinstall the GUI and launch it from the installer again.  It does not matter if I close the GUI or if it crashes, the GUI never opens if I attempt to start it from my desktop or the start menu.

Another issue I am having is getting any current to flow through my motor.  When I enter my motor parameters into the GUI, I don't see any commutation with a speed command.  The GUI indicates the duty command matches my input, but the motor algorithm state is idle.  

I have tried using MPET but this function also doesn't appear to work, I don't see any change in current draw from the supply and the algorithm state is stuck in MPET MOTOR STOP WAIT.  

Finally, on the home page you have the following links: User's Guide, Tuning Guide, Datasheet, Product Page, Tool Page and E2E Support.  The only link that actually works is E2E Support, however after the E2E support page shows up, tha app crashes and the E2E page disappears.

Perhaps this GUI release is a little premature and it needs more work?  Can you provide a tuning guide that might actually help me get my motor spinning?  FYI, I was previously working with Instaspin on the C2000 and I had this motor spinning in about 5 minutes.  I was hoping to use the 8316 since it is basically a monolithic solution and should save a ton of board space, cost and development time.

Thanks,

Kris

Hi Kris,

The EVM appears to be powered up and configured correctly in your attached photo.

The Essential Controls section of the Guided Tuning page provides a step-by-step instruction to quickly configure the device to spin your motor in closed-loop. Were you able to follow the instructions starting from loading the default register values? (The red LED D5 will blink rapidly for several seconds while loading the default register values onto the device)

Apologies for the errors you've encountered while using the standalone MPET page, we are working on updating and improving the standalone MPET page's robustness. However, while following the Essential Controls tuning section, MPET should run automatically if any of the motor parameters is left as 0 (default) after a non-zero duty command is given. You should be able to see the motor status go through various MPET measurement states before spinning the motor up again and going into open loop then closed loop.

Regarding the GUI crashes, could you please try running the GUI directly in either Chrome or Firefox and see if the same crashes happen? (It'll ask you to install a browser extension and the TICloudAgent executable).

The broken links on the GUI homepage have also now been fixed.

You can also find the MCF8316A Tuning Guide here: https://www.ti.com/lit/pdf/sllu335

Thanks,
Eric C.

Eric,

I have switched to running the GUI on Chrome which is much more stable now, thanks.

I have followed the essential controls tuning section with multiple motors now, and nothing happens.  These are all motors that I was able to spin easily with other controllers.  After setting recommended default values and setting a speed command, I don't see anything happening with MPET.  There is no change in bus current and the algorithm state is stuck in MOTOR_IDLE.  I have confirmed that no faults have triggered.

The only way I can get MPET to do anything is if I go to the "ALL TUNING SETTINGS" tab, expand the MPET section and enable the MPET start command.  When I do this, the algorithm state changes to "MPET MOTOR STOP WAIT".  No faults are set but I can't find a way to get the controller out of this state unless I disable MPET.  

I am dead in the water with this EVM, what are your suggestions?

Hi Kris,

I've sent you a request to connect privately to debug your issue.

I am having the same issue as Kris

Hi Kamesh,

Are you also seeing the GUI crashing without throwing any error messages after installing it using the offline installer?

Do you have any issues when running the GUI online https://dev.ti.com/gallery/view/BLDC/MCF8316A_GUI/ in Chrome or Firefox?

Thanks,
Eric C.

Hi Eric, the offiline gui doesnt even open up in my case. 

With regards to the online Gui, it opens up fine and I am able to establish a connection with the Eval kit. The problem is, I am unable to get the motor i have to rotate even after following the Essential controls instructions. I have been trying to get this going for the past week. 

Any help in this case is appreciated. 

Thanks,

Kamesh