CCS/BQ76PL455EVM: bq76PL455EVM

Hi Nolan,

Correct, the TMS570 is a separate board, designed and supported by an entirely different team within TI. An EVM's purpose is to allow customer's to evaluate the part. The TMS570 is just the MCU that was chosen out of many possibilities, given the criteria that it has functional safety diagnostics built in, and many of our customers would also use this part if using a TI MCU requiring some ASIL rating. We have also seen customers use freescale MCUs, Arduino variants, etc.

I understand the frustration - please understand there is nothing malicious about it. Not having an MCU on board does give the freedom to pick and choose, while still using the reference code as a baseline API for communicating to the pl455. It is a tradeoff between only needing to purchase one board vs having the flexibility to work with various needs.

Within the reference code, most of the API is built such that it will be MCU independant. The underlying UART and GPIO assignments would need to be changed to use a different MCU, which would mostly be done in the pl455.c/pl455.h files.

OK. All of which means nothing except you have to buy ANOTHER launchpad to use the 1st Launchpad. Like I said.

There is a more serious issue. You say I can use the "reference code as a baseline API for communicating to the pl455." Well I agree, what's the use of TI furnishing "reference code" unless you can use it as a reference. In fact what's the use of eval boards unless you can use them as a reference.

But I am working at a company building commercial products and some person here maintains I cannot even look at the example code because TI has the code copyrighted.

I downloaded the excellent project by Stephen Holland which TI distributes as the bq76PL455A-Q1 Example Code. Right at the top of the project is clearly states Copyright (c) 2011-2015 Texas Instruments.

Of course that copyright has expired but this person does not seem to care. He still maintains I cannot even look at the code.

But if I am not allowed to look at the code, or use it as a reference, what point is there in TI setting it up to be downloaded/distributed in their data sheets- as example code?

So NOW I have to ask please what are the License terms for the Example Code TI sets up to be downloaded/distributed.

If the License has expired may I look at it? May I use it as a guide, e.g . the pl455 files you mentioned, or is that a violation of an (admittedly expired) copyright.

Can you please send me a copy of the license terms for example code TI sets up to be distributed? Or give me contact info to ask someone in legal I guess.

David,

I have a  much more serious question that arose out of this.To use a TI board you download the code, compile it in Code Composer, then flash it into the board.

But this same character has accused me basically of intellectual theft because I compile the TI code in code composer. He says the code is copyrighted, and for me to touch it, compile it, or even look at it is theft, or an infringement of copyright.

Can you, or anyone please, direct me to the rules governing a person buying a board, downloading the code for the board, compiling and flashing it into the board.

Particularly the code TI distributes as example code, which copyright has expired, anyway.

Thanks,

Nolan

Hi  Nolan,

Again, I understand you're  frustration....

When you run the  installer  for the example code, you must first agree to  the terms and conditions of the license agreement as  a  part of the installing wizard. I have copied the language into a .txt file and attached it for you. You  can share this  with your  contact in  the legal department. Alternatively, you can have he/she run the installer and  read  the T&C directly from the source, if that is preferable to them.

/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/196/7674.ti_5F00_exampleCode_5F00_LicenseAgreement.txt

I can also direct you to our  customer service team: http://www.ti.com/guidedsupport/docs/calltisupport.tsp

A call/email can be made, and i think they should be able to help you get in contact with someone that has the legal knowledge to help you. 

I can tell you, that in layman's terms, the deal is generally that you use our code to gain knowledge of our part, and that we  supply it  to help you evaluate the part alongside the EVM. The general expectation is that you do not just drop our  example code/EVM into a  system to make a product, as they are not meant for that. You  would find that our example  code is actually incapable of being  a standalone  system anyway - it is just a collection of  functional examples, along with an example API. 

I would recommend your contact in the legal department to go through our terms and  conditions, which should be agreed to before installing the code. They should find that it is okay to use for the purpose that we  intend. Going through the customer  service center should get you to someone with the legal know-how to have a discussion, i think.