TPS65988EVM: Application Customization Tool to save selection of the Aardvark as the debug adapter

JDJ

Part Number: TPS65988EVM

We just received an Aardvark adapter and are having a hard time getting the Application Customization Tool to save my selection of the Aardvark as the debug adapter.

When we first open the USB to I2C/SPI Adapter Settings window we get an error message about the FTDI adapter not being found, which might be expected:

We can follow the steps to select the Aardvark. You can see that in the USB to I2C/SPI Adapter Settings window it works and identifies the Aardvark.

But once we click OK it goes back to trying to use the FTDI adapter. Each time we go back to the USB to SPI/I2C Adapter Settings window, We'll get the same error message and FTDI will be selected again.

Could you please let me know your feedback?

For reference, we have been using the below PDF.

TPS65988EVM Application Customization with Aardvark Guide.pdf

over 2 years ago

0 Aya Khedr over 2 years ago

TI__Mastermind 30332 points

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out!

Which GUI version are you using? I will replicate this on my end and let you know what I find.

Best Regards,

Aya

0 Zoe Dittman over 2 years ago in reply to Aya Khedr

TI__Prodigy 170 points

Version 6.1.3 - Can you please replicate on your end and also let me know if I am using the best GUI version? Thanks!

0 Aya Khedr over 2 years ago in reply to Zoe Dittman

TI__Mastermind 30332 points

Hi Zoe,

The steps you followed are correct and this behavior is normal. After configuring the settings, you should be able to go into debug mode and see that the Aarvark adapter is connected. For some reason, if you try to configure adapter settings again, it resets. But this should not be a problem because once you've selected the Aardvark, it is working fine. Please let me know if you have further issues or any other questions.

Best Regards,

Aya

0 JDJ over 2 years ago in reply to Aya Khedr

TI__Expert 4486 points

Are there any existing python scripts for the Aardvark that will work for controlling the TPS65987 and TPS65988 EVMs from a command line instead of using the GUI? We don’t like how slow it is to use the GUI for manufacturing purposes.

Would the below still work as they are older?

https://www.ti.com/lit/an/slva701c/slva701c.pdf?ts=1680808851895

https://www.ti.com/tool/TPS65982-HIUTILITY

0 JDJ over 2 years ago in reply to JDJ

TI__Expert 4486 points

When mentioning manufacturing, we would ideally use a board extremely similar to the EVM to use for testing our mass production products.

Thanks

0 Aya Khedr over 2 years ago in reply to JDJ

TI__Mastermind 30332 points

Hi,

Unfortunately, we do not have python scripts for the Aardvark to control the EVM from a command line instead of the GUI. What issues are you currently having with the GUI?

JDJ said:
Would the below still work as they are older?

This is pretty much the tool used before the GUI so I would not advise that.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Best Regards,

Aya

0 JDJ over 2 years ago in reply to Aya Khedr

TI__Expert 4486 points

Hi Aya,

We are just trying to program the TPS65987/8 quickly on production. What is the quickest way to do this?

the python scripts appear to be inside this tool: https://www.ti.com/lit/an/slva701c/slva701c.pdf?ts=1681096113801&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F.

We were having some difficulty getting it to control my 65988 EVM, but we did get the Register Read example to work.

Thanks

0 Aya Khedr over 2 years ago in reply to JDJ

TI__Mastermind 30332 points

Hi,

The GUI is a tool to generate the configuration and not meant for mass production flashing. The quickest way would be to configure the settings applicable to your design using the GUI. This will generate a binary image which can be saved and then used in your code (MCU or EEPROM for example). I hope that makes sense. The python scripts in that document are only reference scripts that were used in an older tool. Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Best Regards,

Aya

0 JDJ over 2 years ago in reply to Aya Khedr

TI__Expert 4486 points

Understand, what is the quickest ways for mass production flashing?

Do we have any recommendations?

0 Aya Khedr over 2 years ago in reply to JDJ

TI__Mastermind 30332 points

Hi,

I just want to make sure there aren't any misunderstandings occurring here.

JDJ said:
We are just trying to program the TPS65987/8 quickly on production.

The TPS65987/8 cannot be programmed on production. The GUI can be used to generate a full flash binary image (consisting of all the configurations). The customer would then need to flash the EEPROM (for instance) so that it is now stored in the memory of the device. Each time the device is powered, it would boot up the configuration from memory. Now, the quickest way for mass production flashing that most customers do, is to burn the image onto the EEPROM. I hope this makes sense. Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Best Regards,

Aya

0 JDJ over 2 years ago in reply to Aya Khedr

TI__Expert 4486 points

In tje factory, we test all the functions of our product by exercising them with some type of ATE station. So in this case our device under test has a feature where its PD controller can process and respond to VDM commands. But we don't have a good idea how to test that VDM functionality in the factory with ATE. The DUT is powered on and ready to respond to commands, but how do we generate those commands for testing? That is the application we wanted to use a similar board as the EVM as it seems like a good fit because we need a device that has the PHY to perform the physical layer messaging on the CC pin, and we need to be able to control it with a PC.

0 Aya Khedr over 2 years ago in reply to JDJ

TI__Mastermind 30332 points

Hi,

I'm going to look into this and get back to you by the end of the week.

Best Regards,

Aya

0 Matthew Schafer over 2 years ago in reply to Aya Khedr

TI__Expert 4795 points

Hello,

For testing purposes there are plenty of type-c tester venders that are available for purchase. We do not recommend leveraging our EVM for such purposes. In fact, our EVMs are only built and intended for evaluation purposes only and are not intended for consumer or commercial use.

https://www.ti.com/lit/ml/sszz027p/sszz027p.pdf?ts=1680107936485&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.ti.com%252Fsupport-quality%252Fenvironmental-info%252Fenvironmental-home.html

0 JDJ over 2 years ago in reply to Matthew Schafer

TI__Expert 4486 points

Do you have any type-C tester venders that you recommend?

0 Aya Khedr over 2 years ago in reply to JDJ

TI__Mastermind 30332 points

Hi,

We recommend Allion Labs for testing. The LeCroy and the Ellysis devices handle the compliance tests. More information can be found here: https://www.allion.com/test-lab/usb-type-c/

Best Regards,

Aya

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TPS65988EVM: Application Customization Tool to save selection of the Aardvark as the debug adapter