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Original question:

USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01: can't link with EVM

USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01: TPS25750D, BQ25798

Wallace Pitts
Prodigy 20 points
Part Number: USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: USB2ANY, BQ25798BKUPEVM, TI-CHARGER-GUI, TPS25750, BQ25798, TPS25750EVM, TPS25751, TPS25751EVM, BQ25798EVM, EK-TM4C123GXL, TM4C123GH6PM

Tool/software:

Can you update the USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01 to actually reflect what is needed to use the EVM?  For example:

1) One of the two is required for operation:

1a) That the TotalPhase Aardvark Programmer is not included.

1b) List a "SOIC8 SOP8 Flash Chip IC Test Clips Socket Adapter Programmer BIOS + CH341A 24 25 Series for EEPROM Flash BIOS USB Programmer Module" as a compatible programmer? The following has been linked in other forum posts as an option (however, do I need the Dual or the Single version?): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8S8V4H The difference between dual and single is the circled board in this picture:

2) When I bought the EVM, I bought the USB2ANY expecting that it would actually be useful and allow me to program things. It seems logical to expect this, although a deep read of the guide says "Aardvark" or "TIVA if a custom PCB is made and included". 

Looking at the BQ25798BKUPEVM it states what is required to operate the device.

3) What the USB2ANY can actually be used to do? Why should somebody purchase it? It can't do a full firmware flash to the BQ25798 (That seems to be on the Aardvark adapter/"Socket Adapter Programmer" linked above. It is connected to the TPS25750D but according to all the forums I read, the TPS25750 Application Customization Tool doesn't support it, and the TI-CHARGER-GUI that utilizes the USB2ANY only supports the battery charger devices (BQ****) however, the USB2ANY isn't connected to the BQ Device (Only Aardvark)

It seems that the USB2ANY header COULD be used to program the FLASH I2C through the TPS25750D, and might be the intention for future use avoiding the Aardvark connector??? Or maybe create a TIVA dongle that can program the system directly from the TPS25750 Application Customization Tool??

Thanks for your time, I am hoping my pain will help others make better decisions about what to buy to properly evaluate the chipsets!

  • 0
    Prodigy 20 points

    Further Looking at the Schematic of the USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01 The Aardvark Header (J5) and the Internal Debug Header (J7) all are on the same I2C bus. So, if the USB2ANY can be used to program the BQ25798BKUPEVM why can't it be used to program the USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01? All one would have to do is simply wire out the USB2ANY and plug it to the Aardvark header or Debug Header (J7).

    Heck, looking at the schematics for the TPS25750EVM The I2C lines from the USB2.0 to I2C Programmer using the TIVA programmer could be used to program this PCB avoiding the Aardvark and USB2ANY by simply DNP or cut the traces to the chips and install the required resistors for J6 on the TPS25750EVM Header. It seems in both cases the configuration software is needed to write the EEPROM (U5 CAT24C256WI-G). Although the I2Cm_IRQ is grounded in the USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01... Maybe TI has a PCB that has just the USB2.0 to I2C TIVA Programmer that could be used and plugged into J7 on the USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01 (or adapt the TPS25750EVM to have jumpers to allow programming of other PCBs?)

  • 0 in reply to Wallace Pitts
    TI__Mastermind 22765 points

    Hi Wallace,

    I primarily support the USB-C product(TPS25750), so will respond to those questions.

    First, for any new designs we strongly recommend using the TPS25751. The TPS25750 is not recommended for new designs. The TPS25751 is the direct successor to the TPS25750, and is a p2p, feature compatible part. Also, support is currently focused on the TPS25751 and it has features and bug fixes from the TPS25750.

    There is not a similar orderable Reference EVM for the TPS25751 + BQ25798, but the TPS25751EVM user guide describes how to connect the TPS25751EVM to the BQ25798EVM to use the EVMs together.

    Wallace Pitts said:
    1a) That the TotalPhase Aardvark Programmer is not included.
    Wallace Pitts said:
    1b) List a "SOIC8 SOP8 Flash Chip IC Test Clips Socket Adapter Programmer BIOS + CH341A 24 25 Series for EEPROM Flash BIOS USB Programmer Module" as a compatible programmer? The following has been linked in other forum posts as an option (however, do I need the Dual or the Single version?): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8S8V4H The difference between dual and single is the circled board in this picture:

    The TPS2575x devices require that a FW image is loaded from an external location on boot. On the CHG-EVM and TPS25751EVM, we use an I2C EEPROM to store the image. In order to update the EEPROM, a I2C programmer is required. Both the TotalPhase Aardvark and SOIC8 device should have this capability. I know that the Aardvark is capable of this, but I personally do not have experience with the "SOIC8 SOP8..." device. If it can program generic I2C EEPROMs, it should be fine.

    I'm not entirely sure what that extra board would do, but you only need to program 1 EEPROM, so the single should be fine if "single" refers to the number of chips programmed.

    Wallace Pitts said:
    2) When I bought the EVM, I bought the USB2ANY expecting that it would actually be useful and allow me to program things. It seems logical to expect this, although a deep read of the guide says "Aardvark" or "TIVA if a custom PCB is made and included". 

    The USB2ANY is not required/used for the TPS25750. I am not sure if it can be used with the BQ25798. The Aardvark or Tiva are primarily for the TPS25750. The Aardvark has a SPI/I2C flash programmer, and can act as a generic I2C read/write device.

    Wallace Pitts said:
    Heck, looking at the schematics for the TPS25750EVM The I2C lines from the USB2.0 to I2C Programmer using the TIVA programmer could be used to program this PCB avoiding the Aardvark and USB2ANY by simply DNP or cut the traces to the chips and install the required resistors for J6 on the TPS25750EVM Header. It seems in both cases the configuration software is needed to write the EEPROM (U5 CAT24C256WI-G). Although the I2Cm_IRQ is grounded in the USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01... Maybe TI has a PCB that has just the USB2.0 to I2C TIVA Programmer that could be used and plugged into J7 on the USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01 (or adapt the TPS25750EVM to have jumpers to allow programming of other PCBs?)

    Yes, on the TPS25750 EVM the TIVA is used in the place of the Aardvark or SOIC device to program the I2C EEPROM. You could potentially do as you mentioned and reroute the I2C lines.

    At the end of the day, we do not recommend using the TPS25750 and recommend moving to the TPS25751. The TP25751 does not have an equivalent of the CHG-EVM, and requires buying the evms separately and connecting them. The TPS25751EVM does have a TIVA on board, and you can directly connect the EVM to your PC over USB-C to program the TPS25751.

    Thanks and Regards,

    Chris

  • 0 in reply to Christopher Lim1
    Prodigy 20 points

    Thanks for the reply.

    Two things:

    A) I believe I could simply use a EK-TM4C123GXL to program the firmware on the board and have direct plugin capabilities to the web tool kits. Can you provide a firmware flash from the TPS25751EVM for the TM4C123GH6PM TIVA microcontroller? The two boards use the same MCU. It would be pretty easy to flywire it into the EVM. Frankly, I am glad to see that the TIVA programmer is becoming integrated into the newer products as I think it is quite logical to have an all TI flow when building with your tools.

    B) From reading the USB-PD-CHG-EVM-01 webpage a few things are not apparent. Can you please show me on the website (at a glance) where I would have known:

    1) That the parts included are NOT recommended for new designs (this should be on the webpage)

    2) That the USB2ANY is not required (It says that it is, but does not indicate that the Aardvark/SOIC8 is required to program the settings. The User Guide does say that the Aardvark is required to flash it though. 

    Usually, TI is pretty good about this. For example:

    Please fully define the product on the webpage as to what is needed and what is end of life (EOL) otherwise people buy and design with the wrong components. Although, in this case if it is pin compatible then I can just upgrade the IC once I am done doing some development/eval.

    I very much enjoy using TI products, I find them quite robust and useful. In this case, I would just like better clarity on the website for what is required to bring up the board to do something meaningful (usually TI is pretty good about this, however in this case there a multiple forum posts having troubles with this).

  • 0 in reply to Wallace Pitts
    TI__Mastermind 22765 points

    Hi Wallace,

    Unfortunately, we do not share the Tiva FW image here. The current options are to use a generic I2C EEPROM flashing device (something similar to the Aardvark or potentially the SOIC8 device), blue wire from the TPS25750EVM, or use the TPS25751EVM with the tiva as well.

    All of the USB-C Pd controller EVMs tend to have the mcu built into the board. The reference designs don't always as they are sometimes intended to be more barebones.

    I'll reach out to the team in charge of the page to see if they can add similar messaging. My team manages the TPS25750 page and have the messaging there, but I did not see anything the CHG-EVM page.

    Thanks and Regards,

    Chris

  • 0 in reply to Christopher Lim1
    Prodigy 20 points

    Shame that there isn't a sharable version of the Tiva FW for the eval board that the community at large would be allowed to use.  That would certainly be "Safer" than below and it could be used as scaffolding for people to include it in their designs in the future.

    I bought the suggested SOIC8 from amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8S8V4H (Dual version)

    The instructions for that was a combination of finding things online. This seems to be a resource for that: 

    The Dual Board one, just means that there is this additional PCB board in red. It does 5V I/O so if you want to use this for other devices you might want to get one that has 3V3 and 1V8 adapters.  I found a lot of different programmer options here: https://github.com/YTEC-info/CH341A-Softwares and installed it on a computer that I test "internet found software" at and it didn't do anything suspicious:

  • 0 in reply to Wallace Pitts
    TI__Mastermind 22765 points

    Thanks for sharing this information!