CC3301MOD: TM4C

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your responses for the manufacture dates. They would work well with my schedule.

I have presently started running tests on the MSPM0G3507/3519-type of processors for this application, and have just
received LP-MSPM0G3507 and BP-CC3301MOD boards to test this combination.

Is there any reason you can think of that these MSPM0G family parts couldn't handle the job of running FreeRTOS  and using an SPI port to control the CC3301MOD ?
Shouldn't it be straight-forward to get this to work, or is there some code/function incompatibility you know of?

thanks and best regards,
Dan

Hi Jan,

Sorry for my delayed response but I've been looking over more TI docs and I don't see anything that alluded to a WiFi novice like me that one had to load a large code image into the part at startup. If I knew that, I wouldn't have wasted my time and money buying the CC3301MOD demo board.

This also makes me a bit concerned about selecting any other TI WiFi part because I apparently don't know enough to suspect that requirement from a "SimpleLink" that is not as simple as I thought.

After investing an hour watching the video on CC3220, it appears they also require an external SFLASh to load, even the SF variation? Is that correct?

Are there any other parts that just are completely self-contained that I can turn on and use or shut off?

Hi Daniel,

CC3301 and other new TI WiFi devices are RAM based. That means you need to load TI firmware at startup into CC33xx. Older devices like CC3220/CC3235/CC3120/CC3135 are ROM based. That means TI firmware is at masked ROM. But it still need to be loaded patches for firmware from external SPI flash (sFlash). I don't understand your frustration these information are obvious by simple reading this forum. I never used CC3301 device, from this reason I am not familiar with documentation for CC33xx devices. But I am pretty confident that all information are stated in SDK, at least.

Yes, even CC3220SF devices need external SPI flash.

It seems you not have any experience with Ethernet or WiFi devices. Ethernet and WiFi are pretty complex things. It is not only about WLAN layer but socket layer (TCP/UDP/TLS, etc.) and other auxiliary protocols like DHCP, DNS, ARP, ICMP. You cannot expect "self-contained" low-cost device with WLAN. At the market is many WiFi "self-contained" modules mainly with AT command interface. But these modules are not cheap. But if you not have issue with less reliable solution with worse RF performance, you can check modules with ESP8266 these are relatively cheap.

If you write what exactly you need, I can give you a advice. I am not a TI employee, but a 3rd party Ethernet/WiFi developer with almost 15 years practice at this filed.

Jan

Ahoj Honzo!

Děkuji for your assistance. You are correct that I am relatively new to WiFi protocols. I only designed in an older BlueGiga MF121 module but that was years ago.

I am now looking at using an MSPM0G3519 MCU for my application processor and wanted the option of adding wifi module functionality to some product models. Previously, I thought for $2.88 it would make sense to include a CC3301 module on all product variants but this shows my ignorance, now that you have explained it requires significant external processing and memory resources.

Even though the CC3220S or SF look good, I think their price may be too high for me as well needing an external sFlash to boot up. Seems strange the SF part even requires that.

This application requires low cost and low power operation, so not sure if something in the CC32xx family is a good fit. It only requires me to serve simple web pages from the wifi module to a user on a smartphone, so only low bandwidth. Would this still be possible on the MSPM0G3519?

If you have recommendations, I would love to hear them.

BTW, I used to travel to Prague many times for work and lived there for 3 months on assignment, as well. When I was learning Czech, I learned the town name is Mníšek pod Brdy and definitely NOT Mníšek pod Prdy.  

best regards, and ahoj
Dane