stellaris eval board

[yamato96]

Just ordered the stellaris ARM LM4f eval. board from TI. While it wont arrives im interested to know about the arquitecture and programming of the refered mcu.
My knowledge in mcu's resumes to pic and picbasic. Basic knowledge in C programming but not in arm / mcu enviroment.

Googled the subject triyng to find codes and projects already built in ARM / C / C++, but without success.

Apreciate help to links/sites about the subject to study and explore arm mcu's and c language.

 

[bigdogguru]

Are you referring to the TI Stellaris Launchpad?

If so the board utilizes an ARM Cortex-M4F MCU.

If you search for Cortex-M3 you will find plenty of project/code examples which can be readily ported to the device.

Also I can recommend Valvano textbook series:

Embedded Systems: Introduction to Arm Cortex-M3 Microcontrollers

Embedded Systems: Real-Time Interfacing to the Arm Cortex-M3

Embedded Systems: Real-Time Operating Systems for the Arm Cortex-M3

You might also checkout the TI Stellaris ARM Cortex-M Support Page:

**broken link removed**


BigDog

 

[Jigar 4 Electronics]

I've also ordered the same TI stellaris launchpad.

@yamato96, In Addition to which bigdogguru has mentioned also refer to

ARMv7-M architecture reference manual &
Cortex M4 reference manual.

After this, you will be clear to start with cortex M4F MCU, so now you can read some examples related to M3 processors as M4 based example are very rarely available.

& the rest which is still to be done will be get completed by referring respective datasheet.
All the very best

Do share something if you got anything interesting for Cortex M4/M4F.

 

[microdrop]

I just ordered mine too. Two were the maximum. I'm interested int the OLED boosterPack being built for it. There are a couple more here. I'm also interested in more resources.

 

[yamato96]

Explored TI stellaris webpage and after a reade, i downloaded the stellarisware pack cause in the lauchpad webpage it's said that is suported by that package.
After download opened up the files and first no exec files so no programmer, and no ev-m4f120xl package files .

So after reading a bit more, i downloaded CCS - code creator suite - freeware and in custom installation settings i choose MSP 16bit MCU and stellaris arm install packages. Exec the program and 4 my surprise no stellaris libraries, just MSP 16 bit cpu libraries. Then i tought, man maybe the stuff is in the stellarisware packages but again no ev-m4f120xl launchpad libraries, so just opened other files to another stellaris ev. board . the M4F 232 and exploring the files, ex. the classic "hello world" i found a bunch of files named hello but with various file type ext. Just opened the ,c extention with CCS but the hell is not a simple readn code, even more that i dint have access to full comand list and its arguments, etc...

Have a hunch I will stick to 8bit for more a long time.

 

[bigdogguru]

I prefer the KEIL MDK-ARM, which has an code size limited (32KB) evaluation version available for free download:

KEIL MDK-ARM Microcontroller Development Kit

KEIL currently supports the ARM Cortex-M4 series including the TI Stellaris LM4F120H5QR used in the Launchpad.

As I said before many of the Cortex-M3 examples can be easily ported to the Cortex-M4 series.

TI Stellaris LM3SXXX Cortex-M3 Blinky Example:

//*****************************************************************************
//
// blinky.c - Simple example to blink the on-board LED.
//
// Copyright (c) 2007-2010 Texas Instruments Incorporated.  All rights reserved.
// Software License Agreement
// 
// Texas Instruments (TI) is supplying this software for use solely and
// exclusively on TI's microcontroller products. The software is owned by
// TI and/or its suppliers, and is protected under applicable copyright
// laws. You may not combine this software with "viral" open-source
// software in order to form a larger program.
// 
// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITH ALL FAULTS.
// NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT
// NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
// A PARTICULAR PURPOSE APPLY TO THIS SOFTWARE. TI SHALL NOT, UNDER ANY
// CIRCUMSTANCES, BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
// DAMAGES, FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER.
// 
// This is part of revision 5961 of the DK-LM3S818 Firmware Package.
//
//*****************************************************************************

#include "lm3s818.h"

//*****************************************************************************
//
//! \addtogroup example_list
//! <h1>Blinky (blinky)</h1>
//!
//! A very simple example that blinks the on-board LED.
//
//*****************************************************************************

//*****************************************************************************
//
// Blink the on-board LED.
//
//*****************************************************************************
int
main(void)
{
    volatile unsigned long ulLoop;

    //
    // Enable the GPIO port that is used for the on-board LED.
    //
    SYSCTL_RCGC2_R = SYSCTL_RCGC2_GPIOB;

    //
    // Do a dummy read to insert a few cycles after enabling the peripheral.
    //
    ulLoop = SYSCTL_RCGC2_R;

    //
    // Enable the GPIO pin for the LED (PB0).  Set the direction as output, and
    // enable the GPIO pin for digital function.  Care is taken to not disrupt
    // the operation of the PB7/TRST pin.
    //
    GPIO_PORTB_DIR_R |= 0x01;
    GPIO_PORTB_DEN_R |= 0x01;

    //
    // Loop forever.
    //
    while(1)
    {
        //
        // Turn on the LED.
        //
        GPIO_PORTB_DATA_R |= 0x01;

        //
        // Delay for a bit.
        //
        for(ulLoop = 0; ulLoop < 200000; ulLoop++)
        {
        }

        //
        // Turn off the LED.
        //
        GPIO_PORTB_DATA_R &= ~(0x01);

        //
        // Delay for a bit.
        //
        for(ulLoop = 0; ulLoop < 200000; ulLoop++)
        {
        }
    }
}

BigDog

 

[yamato96]

Yes , it's like pcb cad suites, some prefer eagle, some kicad and others orcad. That's life. Surrely hill have some MB to install the Keill Suite and try it.

But im used to a simple programmer suite, with knowledge off all supported commands and it's argument's, a pic with a bootloader and voila magic happens.

Now with the ARM, I read stuff like JTAG, compiler, linker, load bootloader program to flash etc, and with so many file types extensions, i feel im missing important stuff.

What the hell , I'l have to buy one decent book,,,, or two... and burn some eyebrows in front of the pc late trough the night. My wife surely wont like it..LOL

Thank u very much for ur support BigDog and others. Surelly it wont be my last thread regarding this subject!

 

[microdrop]

There are no files in Stellarisware yet, because the Stellaris Launchpad is not released yet. It will be released only after Sept 25th.. and Stellarisware will be upgraded.