Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CCSTUDIO
Hello,
I have been working with micro controllers for many years and now I am wanting to start in with full processes. I have looked at many of the Sitara offerings and they seem to be very capable processes. Additionally, they are extremely complicated in terms of there data sheets. From the Technical Manual, it is over 7000 pages in depth. There is no way a single individual can come up to speed on such processes in a timely manner going through this manual. So, my question/questions are where does one begin with these processors in learning? I do have some areas of focus that I want to drill into.
- High PCB design around the Sitara
- Programming of the Sitara line without Linux
- Design with only a few basic resources from the processor (Memory, Ethernet/EtherNET/IP,10/100/1000)
I have a couple of projects that I want to design for, but I need a reasonable place to start and need to be given a reasonable learning period. I have been reading the data sheets for select Sitara and C6600 processes for about a month and I an no where near a consensus of where to even start. Initial I was thinking about getting the very minimum design which provides for just the processor, PMIC and minimal memory interface designed and tested. Then I would like to move on to adding both EtherNET and real time ethernet. Lastly, move on to adding camera imagining. In particular I was looking to use some imaging sensors that use the LVDS bus up to 8 lanes. I have not been able to find any Sitara that provides LVDS.
To summarize, I am looking for help in getting me up to speed with the Sitara processor group starting at the board level design and working to more complicated system design at the PCB level. I don't work for a company that does board level design so all of this is self taught. Moving from Microchip Technologies MCU to a full blown MPU at Texas instruments will give me the skill set that I am looking for. I have capable PCB design software that I purchased a few years back for my home use, Altium Design to be exact. So, I have the design tools for the necessary PCB challenge. I just need a professional direction of how to get started from a minimal approach and then moving towards more complicated designs.
Lastly, as I was reading, I see that the Sitara processors have many subsystems that may or may not be uses as I design. However, I did not see anything in the documents about what to do this blocks and signals that are not going to be used. For example, if I want to start with just the MPU and Memory, what do I do with all of the remaining signals? I do understand that there are several power domains inside the processor to power off unused blocks, but what about the signals. One additional thing, is Code Composer Studio now a free development software? I can't seem to find out costing on this.
I appreciate any and all guidance in this learning endeavor.
Thanks,
James
