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edX Embedded Systems using Stellaris LaunchPad — Parallax Forums

edX Embedded Systems using Stellaris LaunchPad

RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
edited 2014-08-31 20:19 in General Discussion
If you bought a Stellaris LaunchPad when it was new and cheap but never used it (like me) here's your chance.

Starts in just a few days:

https://www.edx.org/course/utaustinx/utaustinx-ut-6-01x-embedded-systems-1172

I think they probably e-mailed me about it some time ago and I just didn't pay attention. It wasn't until I looked closer that I noticed you can use the Stellaris LaunchPad with the course. The software isn't available yet and it's Windows only. Hopefully it will be free to use with the course.

Comments

  • iDaveiDave Posts: 252
    edited 2014-01-19 12:36
    Yepper, I 've been signed up for the course for a while now and am looking forward to it. This will be my first foray into the 32 bit world.(i know its crazy I haven't gone down the propeller route...have had no need to) This course i think will provide a systematic approach to learn all about the "under the hood" goings on that are often hidden away when u first learn on a basic stamp or arduino... stuff like the bits, bytes and registers. I've learned quite a bit of that stuff on my own(on the TI msp430 launchpad) , but I'm curious about what gaps in my understanding this course will fill in. Hope to see other parallaxians sign up!
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-01-19 17:14
    I saw this mentioned over on LMR. Apparently you can use the Stellaris LanchPad but the recommend getting the Tiva if you don't already have a Stellaris.

    The course is free unless you want the certificate, which will cost you $50. From what I've read, the software is also free.

    The USB host feature looks interesting but I'm not sure if I could bare to have only one processor after being used to the Prop's 8 cogs.

    I think it would probably be good to go through some sort of structured course to make sure I'm not missing some aspect of programming microcontrollers I'm not aware of but it sure seem like the Tiva is a step down from the Propeller.

    Any of you with experience with a variety of microcontrollers have an opinion of how worth while it would be to learn to program the TI board? I was kind of thinking the Prop and a few AVR chips would take care of most microcontroller applications but I'd appreciate know what others think about this.

    If I'm going to take the course, I'll need to order a board right away.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2014-01-20 03:51
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    If I'm going to take the course, I'll need to order a board right away.

    Seems as though DigiKey and Mouser don't have any stock of the board needed. Where you gonna get one from?

    Edit: Looks like TI store may have them in stock...
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,108
    edited 2014-01-20 10:27
    Element14 has them as well -- I ordered a kit from them with the works (about $35) so I don't have to be bothered collecting small things.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-01-20 10:35
    This reply was still in an open window when I saw JonnyMac's post.

    I wondered way my post wasn't on the thread. It was because I hadn't hit "Post Quick Reply" yet.

    BTW, It looks like they're a bit less expensive at the TI store but I don't know how shipping compares between TI and Element14.
    Don M wrote: »
    Seems as though DigiKey and Mouser don't have any stock of the board needed. Where you gonna get one from?

    Edit: Looks like TI store may have them in stock...

    Element14 has some and sells them for around $13.
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-01-20 10:47
    I wasn't real thrilled when I went to download the software. Seems like they actually expected me to give them my phone number and home address. Sorry no, I just made something up :) Plus it was almost a 600 MB download just to program one chip? Took almost 20 minutes over their slow connection. I hope this stuff doesn't use Java, that'll be the end of it.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-01-20 10:57
    RDL2004 wrote: »
    I wasn't real thrilled when I went to download the software. Seems like they actually expected me to give them my phone number and home address. Sorry no, I just made something up :) Plus it was almost a 600 MB download just to program one chip? Took almost 20 minutes over their slow connection. I hope this stuff doesn't use Java, that'll be the end of it.

    I believe the software communicates with the uC so they can tell if your program does what it's supposed to do. 600 MB does seem like a lot though.

    There wasn't a shipping charge from Element14. The total was $13.02.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2014-01-20 12:12
    Just ordered mine from TI store. $12.99 includes shipping. I already have the other bits and pieces around so no sense spending the extra for them.
  • sdiguanasdiguana Posts: 11
    edited 2014-01-20 18:49
    Just ordered a kit myself... Looking forward to it. I'd seen the course on edX but didnt notice how cheap the kit was, hard to pass up for the price!

    Another course that might be enticing to some: Control of Mobile Robotics - Duke (Started today, free)

    I am planning on using my activity bot with a wifi xbee module in lieu of their suggested build.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2014-01-21 01:39
    I ordered one of the Stellaris Launchpads when they were first announced. It works OK with the Rowley CrossWorks development tools.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2014-01-24 11:30
    Just received my board from the TI store. Now on to school....
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2014-08-31 20:19
    Anyone have issues when trying to install this board? None of my Windows 7 32 or 64 bit systems will allow me to use the FTDI Drivers that I downloaded from the TI site.
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