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TPS25751EVM: Very confused on how TM4C123GH6PMTR in the system works from a design standpoint.

Sikarskie Brighton
Prodigy 20 points
Part Number: TPS25751EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TPS25751, MSP-EXP430FR5994, LAUNCHXL-F28379D,

Tool/software:

I am very confused on how this EVM is working. I am designing my own version using two TPS25751's. What I am confused about is the role of TM4C123GH6PMTR. It looks like the TM4C123GH6PMTR is only getting powered from it's own USB-C port for flashing? Does this mean the chip is not used when the EVM is being used? Like does the chip not get power and is it not used in the design outside of the initial flashing stage? Do we need to program the TM4C123?

Another thought that I had is in my design I am powering everything from a battery pack so I'm integrating something similar to the TIDUAR8C in my design which uses a MSP430G2553IPW20. The MSP430 is getting powered from BQ7693006DBTR's REGOUT which outputs 3v3 at a max current of 45mA.

So what I am wondering and my exact questions are:

1. Why is TM4C123GH6PMTR being used?

2. Do we need to put some actual C code on the TM4C123GH6PMTR, or is it ONLY used to flash an external EEPROM?

3. Could I run TM4C123GH6PMTR off the REGOUT of BQ7693006DBTR's (3v3 @ 45mA max)

4. Would I be able to use only the TM4C123GH6PMTR and have it also do what the MSP430G2553IPW20 would be programed to do?

I wanted to also add another question because I am almost positive that its only used for flashing the EEPROM:

5. Why does the the TM4C123GH6PMTR have headers for I2Ct_{SCL, SDA, IRQ} etc, is this only for debugging purposes and they are not actually used within the schematic?

6. Could I use an external launchpad to flash and remove the TM4C123GH6PMTR from the design entirely? For example I have the following could any of all of them be used? MSP-EXP430FR5994, MSP-EXP432P4111, MSP-EXPP401R, LAUNCHXL-F28379D, J721EXSKG01EVM

7. Why was such a powerful MCU like the TM4C123GH6PMTR picked for the design?

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 37855 points

    Hi Sikarskie,

    Sikarskie Brighton said:
    It looks like the TM4C123GH6PMTR is only getting powered from it's own USB-C port for flashing? Does this mean the chip is not used when the EVM is being used? Like does the chip not get power and is it not used in the design outside of the initial flashing stage? Do we need to program the TM4C123?

    You are mostly correct here. The TM4C123G is only meant for the TPS25751EVM, and not meant for use in customer designs. It is primarily for flashing of the EEPROM from the type-C port, and we have plans for it to support a debug mode feature on the EVM that will do basic I2C writes and reads using the GUI. The TM4C123 comes preprogrammed on the EVM, customers should not use it on their own designs, so would not need to program it.

    Sikarskie Brighton said:
    1. Why is TM4C123GH6PMTR being used?

    Flashing and Debug for the EVM only.

    Sikarskie Brighton said:
    2. Do we need to put some actual C code on the TM4C123GH6PMTR, or is it ONLY used to flash an external EEPROM?

    There is already code preprogrammed with the EVM. You should not be re-programming the TIVA. It currently only flashes the EEPROM and does some basic register reads.

    Sikarskie Brighton said:
    3. Could I run TM4C123GH6PMTR off the REGOUT of BQ7693006DBTR's (3v3 @ 45mA max)

    You should not be including it in your own design

    Sikarskie Brighton said:
    4. Would I be able to use only the TM4C123GH6PMTR and have it also do what the MSP430G2553IPW20 would be programed to do?

    Unfortunately I'm not an expert in MCUs. As mentioned above, you should not be using the TM4C3123 in your own design, so continue with the MSP.

    Sikarskie Brighton said:
    5. Why does the the TM4C123GH6PMTR have headers for I2Ct_{SCL, SDA, IRQ} etc, is this only for debugging purposes and they are not actually used within the schematic?

    There are simple I2C reads from TPS25751 registers that it is used for. They may also be used for a additional PD controller register reads in the future.

    Sikarskie Brighton said:
    6. Could I use an external launchpad to flash and remove the TM4C123GH6PMTR from the design entirely? For example I have the following could any of all of them be used? MSP-EXP430FR5994, MSP-EXP432P4111, MSP-EXPP401R, LAUNCHXL-F28379D, J721EXSKG01EVM

    As mentioned before, the TM4C123G is not intended for customer designs. We typically recommend that customers use an external I2C EEPROM flashing tool or something similar that they are familiar with. For example (not a recommendation, just what we use), we use Totalphase Aardvark and Dediprog tools to flash EEPROMs when the TM4C123G is not available.

    If you are more comfortable with external launchpads or have them on hand, and you know they will work, they should be fine.

    Sikarskie Brighton said:
    7. Why was such a powerful MCU like the TM4C123GH6PMTR picked for the design?

    We use this mcu on a couple EVMs. At the time it made sense and we continue to use it due to having support for it. The TPS25751 can work as a standalone PD controller with just itself and the EEPROM. You do not need to design the TM4C123 into your system.

    Thanks and Regards,

    Chris