PGA450Q1EVM: Getting started with PGA450Q1EVM-S

Akeem Whitehead Kindly have a look. From other posts I see you were actively involved in discussions related to PGA450.

Hello Taimur,

Thanks for posting the sensors forum!

Akeem is no longer handling support for the PGA450-Q1, so I will be handling this thread. We actually recommend using PGA460-Q1 over the PGA450-Q1. The PGA460-Q1 is a much newer device which is much easier to use, it is lower cost, and has better performance compared to the PGA450-Q1. We have much better support resources for the PGA460-Q1 so I believe since you are still early in your trial phase it may be best to begin your evaluation with the PGA460.

Best,

Isaac

Hello Isaac,

Thanks for your response. 

We are currently using PGA450Q1EVM-S, which is relatively cheaper in price.

Is there any PGA460 sensor board available in similar or lesser price bracket as PGA450Q1EVM-S ?

Best Regards,
Taimur

Hello Taimur,

Thanks for the heads up on that. I actually did not realize that from an EVM perspective that the PGA450Q1EVM was a cheaper EVM.

The main EVM for the PGA460 is the BOOSTXL-PGA460: https://www.ti.com/tool/BOOSTXL-PGA460 which is priced at 250. Just 50 dollars more than the PGA450Q1EVM.

We also have the PGA460PSM-EVM: https://www.ti.com/tool/PGA460PSM-EVM which is priced the same the PGA450Q1EVM. 

Typically we recommend using the main EVM when you are in a trial phase to understand the device features via the EVM GUI. But if you would like to just interface with the device directly the PGA460PSM-EVM should work just fine. If you plan on  using the GUI please make sure to also purchase an MSP-EXP430F5529LP:www.ti.com/.../MSP-EXP430F5529LP.

Best,

Isaac

Hi Isaac,

Thanks for the detailed overview.

Coming to the original issue, what do you think we are doing wrong? Also we haven't updated firmware on PGA450Q1EVM-S.

And what's recommended approach to interface other devices with PGA450Q1EVM-S ? Also currently we are trying to interface via UART, do you recommend using other interface SPI/LIN ? 

BR,
Taimur

FYI: Isaac Here is the response from the sensor:

1st 6 Rows are response to Cmd0 and last Row is response to Cmd4 where whole FIFO is read. As it can be seen in yellow 18,52,185 is there which is expected response to Cmd0.

Hello Taimur,

Can you provide the data in the OneDrive using another method? I am not able to access what you provided in the for security reasons.

Best,

Isaac

Hi Isaac,

Yes sure.

Hello Taimur,

Thanks for the information.

Let me address your questions above:

1. I wanted to ask is there any stable release of PGA450Q1EVMS_UART_Demo.ino?
   1. The PGA450Q1EVMS_UART_Demo.ino code was only created to showcase how to transmit commands from UART to the PGA450. So the code was never completed to have the ability to receive response data from the PGA450 itself. There was no other release for this code so there is no "stable" version that has been released and its not underway since the development focused on the PGA460. If no modifications were done to this code this could explain why you are having issues receiving data back from command 0.
2. What's recommended approach to interface other devices with PGA450Q1EVM-S ? Also currently we are trying to interface via UART, do you recommend using other interface SPI/LIN ?
   1. Communication can be challenging if your MCU does not support 5V logic since this is required by the PGA450 SPI and UART pins, so a level translator is typically required to translate the communication pins. If you are not using a level translator this might be part of the issues you are seeing but since the device is responding I dont believe this is the issue you are seeing. But either LIN or UART are recommended as primary methods of communication, mainly automotive applications use the LIN interface. SPI is typically recommended for debugging. SPI can be used as communication interface but not typically recommended. Since there is already some UART/LIN code we typically recommend going this route.

I hope this helps!

Best,

Isaac

Hi Isaac, Thanks for your detailed response.

Apart from PGA450/PGA460, do you have any other ultrasonic sensor with relatively cheaper EVM board?

PGA460's EVM boards are quite expensive and PGA450 is hard and have little support.

Thanks in Advance. 

Hello Taimur,

We typically recommend devices based on your application, so if you provide more info on what you are trying to do we can suggest the best device.

Other ultrasonic EVMs that we offer are the BOOSTXL-TUSS4440 and BOOSTXL-TUSS4470 but these are also about the same price as the other EVMs.

Best,

Isaac

Hi Isaac,

Issue was voltage level of the Arduino's UART. After doing level-shift I am at least getting expected response to Cmd0.

Now I need to calculate optimised Thresholds. What could be best approach here?
Best,