SLVU681 Datasheet, PDF (4/21 Pages) Texas Instruments – DRV8818EVM Evaluation Module

Windows Application
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3 Windows Application
The DRV8818 Windows application is the software counterpart for the DRV8818EVM. This application is
in charge of connecting to the MSP430 microcontroller by an USB connection, which in turn selects the
proper logic state for the DRV8818 control signals.
The design of the graphical user interface (GUI) allows for all of the DRV8818 device’s functionality to be
tested without having to intervene with the hardware, except for the proper configuration of jumpers, when
necessary.
The following illustration shows the DRV8818EVM.exe main screen. It contains menu items to configure
and enable and disable the serial port, frames with GPIO control for the DRV8818 Control Signals,
Stepper Motor control for start and stop and speed, and current and decay control through the MSP430
DACs.
3.1 Connecting the EVM
The GUI auto-detects the port to which the USB has connected on connection of the USB cable between
the EVM and an available port on your PC. This is displayed in the window. Click the Connect button. If
this does not work, possible sources of error are as follows:
• FTDI drivers were not installed properly and the FTDI-USB chip is not recognized. Check for
connection in Control Panel→System→Hardware→Device Manager→Ports for a valid connection.
• Close the GUI, and reopen it to properly identify the open port.
3.2 Initial Configuration
First, go into the File menu. Select File→Configure Parameters, and the following box displays:
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DRV8818EVM Evaluation Module
Copyright © 2012, Texas Instruments Incorporated
SLVU681 – February 2012
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