Merry Christmas!

I have a TI LaunchPad Tria C evaluation board (EK-TM4C123GXL). Programming it with Energia. On the evaluation board, there are 2 TM4C chips, one is debug and one is the device. The device side of the board is running the I/O, but I don't understand what the Debug side of the board is doing?

 

Evaluation boards: Many micro-computers must be programmed by a programmer. (hard ware device that cakes information from the PC and puts it into the small computer) Not all but many boards, the programmer (debug) part can be broken off and removed. Many boards have connectors so the programmer/debug part can be reconnected later. After the program is loaded into the small computer the debug part is not needed.

Here is an example from MicroChip. The left side has a USB connector and computer that can be removed. The part you program is on the right side.

 

Evaluation boards: Many micro-computers must be programmed by a programmer. (hard ware device that cakes information from the PC and puts it into the small computer) Not all but many boards, the programmer (debug) part can be broken off and removed. Many boards have connectors so the programmer/debug part can be reconnected later. After the program is loaded into the small computer the debug part is not needed.

Here is an example from MicroChip. The left side has a USB connector and computer that can be removed. The part you program is on the right side.
View attachment 195291

Yes, thanks! Scenario question, say I bought the TM4C chip and wanted to use it on a PCB. I would need a debug board that is in between my computer and the PCB? Attached is what I'm describing.

 

Yes, thanks! Scenario question, say I bought the TM4C chip and wanted to use it on a PCB. I would need a debug board that is in between my computer and the PCB? Attached is what I'm describing.

No.

What you are calling a “debug board” actually serves two functions. It provides external hardware to a) program the microcomputer and b) tools to debug the code in real time.

You do not need such a board (also called a development board) to include a microprocessor on your PCB. You test and debug the processor with the board and then remove the processor and install it (likely in a socket) on your PCB.

 

No.

What you are calling a “debug board” actually serves two functions. It provides external hardware to a) program the microcomputer and b) tools to debug the code in real time.

You do not need such a board (also called a development board) to include a microprocessor on your PCB. You test and debug the processor with the board and then remove the processor and install it (likely in a socket) on your PCB.

Are you saying my "debug board" would have the main microprocessor on it for programming (programmed with the debug microprocessor, just like the evaluation board), and after programmed, I remove the microprocessor and install it onto the PCB?

If that's the case, I wish the evaluation board came with the chip on a socket, so I can just use the evaluation board as the programming board...

 

Typically a PC board you develop will include a connector for programming the micro in place. You connect this to a programmer designed for that chip to program or debug it.

Pulling a chip put of a socket and putting it back becomes a real PITA very quickly. When developing the code you will end up tweaking the program several times an hour all day long to get the code working the way you want.

Bob

 

Typically a PC board you develop will include a connector for programming the micro in place. You connect this to a programmer designed for that chip to program or debug it.

Pulling a chip put of a socket and putting it back becomes a real PITA very quickly. When developing the code you will end up tweaking the program several times an hour all day long to get the code working the way you want.

Bob

I feel like my attachment is correct then? The "debug board" is the development board.