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[Piccolo] Driver for Mac OS X?


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Is there a driver for the Piccolo compatible with Mac OS X?

 

The literature only mentions Windows:

 

Windows® will automatically detect the hardware and ask you to install software drivers. Let Windows run a search for the drivers and automatically install them. After Windows successfully installs the drivers for the integrated XDS100v2 emulator, your LaunchPad is now ready for use.

 

Thank you!

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Rei,

Sadly there is no MacOS support for C2000 devices right now. Our tools teams are working to add support for Macs but there is no firm timeline for when this will occur.

 

That said, some folks have been able to get the 430 LaunchPad working with Apple computers. There is a guide here:

http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MSP430_LaunchPad_Mac_OS_X

 

I'm no Mac expert, but to me it appears that all the main pieces needed to support MacOS are in place. Our teams just need the time to stitch everything together.

 

Trey

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Quick Update:

I just wanted to make everyone aware that I am actively working to get get us open cross platform tools. The entire Energia team is aware of the issue and we are talking with the compiler and tools guys to see if we can find a solution. It might take some time for us to get to a full open source cross platform solution for the C2000 LaunchPad, BUT I think we will be able to come up with some interim solutions that can coexist with the Energia license a little quicker. I can't promise anything right now, but I wanted to let the community know that I am fighting for you.

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An update about embedXcode, the template for Xcode, the official Apple IDE running on OS X. embedXcode currently supports Arduino 0023 and 1.0, Wiring, chipKIT MPIDE, Leaflabs Maple, LaunchPad, FraunchPad.

 

Thanks to the previous implementations for ARM Cortex M3-based Leaflabs Maple and the SAM-based Arduino Due (with Arduino 1.50), embedXcode now supports the StellarPad.

 

I've tested successfully building, linking and uploading.

 

I'm waiting for the official Energia update with Stellaris support before releasing embedXcode version 18.

 

Stay tuned smile.png

 

 

Is there a more convenient section on the forum to place this thread about a Mac OS X IDE. It doesn't fit into the category Compiler and IDE - Code Composer Studio -Questions about setup, compilation and errors regarding Code Composer Studio on Windows and Linux. Thanks!

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  • 2 months later...

Trey - How about if TI invests some resources into expanding their C6x GCC 4.7 support to other TMS320 cores like C2k?  I've heard that they contracted Mentor / Code Sourcery to port GCC to the C6x, yet other cores were ignored.   I understand that CCS has a Linux version, but many people will not consider the hardware without decent cross platform support and GCC.

 

I've personally dabbled with C2k on CCS for Linux, but don't really really want to dig too much into the chip without GCC.  Unfortunately, it just doesn't seem viable for Energia support while requiring the closed source TI compiler.

 

Thanks for all of your efforts in supporting the C2k Launchpad platform.

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Zborgerd,

 

Appreciate your kind words...lots of work has gone into the C2000 LaunchPad and I've got even more cool stuff in the works!

 

I am definitely pushing for improved open source support for the entire C2000 family of devices, but a full blown GCC compiler is still not planned.  I completely agree that we need improved cross platform support for all aspects of the development tool chain (IDE, Compiler, Debug tools).  This is something our teams are working toward and we hope to see the whole tool chain running on OSX in the future.

 

I understand that GCC has a cult like following, but I'm curious why you think we need a fully open source compiler?  Certainly for integration with Energia the compiler would need to be redistributable, but otherwise I think licenses would be compatible as the IDE is simply making a call to a closed source program.  I don't think many people out there would really want to dig into the guts of the compiler which is what being open source really buys you.  Certainly open source is a good thing, but in cases like a compiler I think things like cross platform support and redistribution rights are what really brings value to the table in the hobbyist and educational communities.

 

Best Regards,

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For Energia and for Mac OS X, what's needed is the tool-chain and uploader one could download for free.

 

Now, the tool-chain and uploader could be available separately, just like the lm4f_tools.zip was during the beta.

 

It is not rocket science –no pun intended– to install them on the appropriate sub-folder of Energia.

 

I hope this could ease the lawyers' point of view.

 

Unlike the LaunchPad MSP430, the CC2000 LaunchPad is not aimed at the general public and Arduino hobbyists.

 

Its real-time capabilities make it special. And taking most of those features is a real challenge when adding the support on Energia.

 

Best regards, 

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Currently the C2000 compiler is available for download for free here:

https://www-a.ti.com/downloads/sds_support/TICodegenerationTools/download.htm

 

We've looked at the exact approach you suggested, and I agree that is the best path moving forward.  The issue becomes that we are missing several other things we would need for cross platform support...mainly a flash programming tool.

 

For now I've shelved Energia support for the C2000 LaunchPad, but I'm not completely writing it off.  I'm planning to revisit the idea as more of the pieces of the puzzle become available.

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I'm not part of the GCC cult.  I will use just about anything that works, but CCS and the standalone ccompiler unfortunately don't meet my needs.  My thoughts on having GCC is for the following reasons:

 

1. It's the only way to have a truly cross-platform compiler that anyone can use.

2. It's very easy to resuse existing code among multiple atchitectures.

3. Every other Arduino-compatible platform (including Energia) is based on GCC.  This is why it is successful.  The very open-source community that writes these tools writes them with hardware that can be easily programmed and debugged on any platform.  TI does not give us this option with C2000 and that unfortunately is its largest fault.  The C2000 Launchpad can really only be used with  Windows or Linux with the CCS XDS100 bundle license, even if it is technically free to download.

 

Your link to the standalone compilers are appreciated, but note a key element...  "THIS DOWNLOADABLE VERSION IS CODE SIZE LIMITED TO 32kB".  Even more reason for an opensource compiler.  If I recall correctly, this is only half of the flash space on a C2000 Launchpad.  Still, I wouldn't even be able to program or debug it without CCS.

 

I have a GCC compiler at my disposal for every chip that I own (probably nearly a dozen achitectures).  C2000 is the only one that does not.

 

The unfortunate truth is that the C2000 Launchpad is just not hobbyist-friendly.  And it's sad because it's a cool device.  And because of this, I fear that it would never have the userbase that it could have if it weren't so restricted.  It may look like a Launchpad in form-factor, but it really isn't a Launchpad in the same "open" sense as the MSP430 and Stellaris.  For this reason, it's really being held back from developing a solid fan base.

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