The TMC2208-EVAL allows evaluation of the TMC2208 in combination with the Trinamic evaluation
board system, or as stand-alone-board. It uses the standard schematic and offers several options
in order to test different modes of operation.
Make sure that the latest version of the TMCL-IDE 3.0 is installed. The TMCL-IDE can be downloaded
from www.trinamic.com/support/software/tmcl-ide/.
2. Open the TMCL-IDE and connect the Landungsbruecke or Startrampe via USB to the computer. For
Windows 8 and higher is no driver needed, on Windows 7 machines the TMCL-IDE is installing the
driver automatically.
3.
Verify that the Landungsbruecke or Startrampe is using the latest firmware version. The firmware
version is shown in the connected device tree.
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Figure 2: Firmware Version
4.
The TMCL-IDE 3.0 needs room to show all important information and to provide a good overview.
Therefore, arrange the main window related to your needs. We recommend using full screen. For
evaluation boards it is essential to have access to the registers. Therefore open up the Register
Browser (left side). For a better view click top right on the normal icon to get a maximized register
browser window.
5.
The TMCL-IDE includes a dialogue for diagnostic tasks. Further, the dialogue provides an overview
of the connected motion controller and driver chips. Thus, a window pops up immediately after
connecting the evaluation kit the first time. The window shows the actual status of the connections.
The second tab of the dialogue offers the possibility to choose basic settings or to reset the module
to factory 1defaults.
All design files for our evaluation boards are available for free. We offer the original ECAD files (Eagle,
Altium, or PADS), Gerber data, the BOM, and PDF copies. Please check schematics for Jumper settings and
input/output connector description.
The files can be downloaded from the evaluation boards’ website directly at out homepage: TRINAMIC Eval
Kit homepage.
Note
If files are missing on the website or something is wrong please send us a note.
2.1Bridge Board Jumpers
The TMC2208 Bridge board provides multiple jumpers. The UART Jumper selects between 3 different
options for the PDN_UART pin.
OptionFunction
µCUART communication enabled
SHDNPDN_UART = GND (stand still power down enabled)
OpenPDN_UART = open (stand still power down disabled)
Table 1: Jumper UART
The CLK jumper selects the CLK input source.
OptionFunction
ExtCLK comes from Microcontroller. Allows to try with different frequencies
IntCLK input at GND; uses internal clock source default
openCLK input at GND; uses internal clock source default (internal pull down, not recommended)
Table 2: Jumper CLK
The VREF jumper selects between different source for the motor current setting pin VREF.
OptionFunction
PWM
VREF input of driver can be controlled by Microcontroller PWM. Set
motor base current via the duty cycle
POTVREF input is controlled via the Poti. Scale motor current using poti.
The jumpers MS1 and MS2 select the microstep resolution in standalone mode.
MS1MS2Function
008 microsteps
102 microsteps
014 microsteps
1116 microsteps
Table 4: Jumpers MS1 and MS2
The Jumper ENABLE disables or enables the driver.
OptionFunction
ENDriver is enabled
DISDriver is disabled. In this mode, it is allowed to remove / attach a motor.
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Table 5: Jumper ENABLE
2.2Onboard Jumpers and OTP
The TMC2208-Eval board has two jumpers to select between Step/Direction source between MCU and
external pin header (lower right corner). The silk screen also displays the three OTP bytes in the IC. The
user can mark programmed bits manually to remember which bits have been set in the IC.
This chapter gives some hints and tips on using the functionality of the TMCL-IDE, e.g. how to use the
velocity mode or using the wizards.
Note
In order to achieve good settings please refer to descriptions and flowcharts
in the TMC2208-LA datasheet. The register browser of the TMCL-IDE provides
helpful information about any currently selected parameter. Beyond that, the
datasheet explains concepts and ideas which are essential for understanding
how the registers are linked together and which setting will fit for which kind of
application. For getting more familiar with the evaluation kit in the beginning
of your examinations, drive the motor using velocity mode and/or positioning
mode first. Beyond this, the direct mode function can be used. This way, TMCL
commands can be sent to the evaluation board system.
3.1Velocity Mode
To move the motor in velocity mode, open the velocity mode tool by clicking the appropriate entry in the
tool tree. In the velocity mode tool you can enter the desired velocity and acceleration and then move the
motor using the arrow buttons. The motor can be stopped at any time by clicking the stop button. Open
the velocity graph tool to get a graphical view of the actual velocity.
Note
In order to get a more accurate graphical velocity view, close the register browser
window when using the velocity graph.
Figure 4: Driving the motor in velocity mode (TMCL-IDE provides similar view for TMC2208-EVAL)
To move the motor in position mode, open the position mode tool by clicking the appropriate entry in
the tool tree. In the position mode tool you can enter a target position and then start positioning by
clicking the Absolute or Relative Move button. The speed and acceleration used for positioning can also be
adjusted here.
Open the position graph tool to get a graphical view of the actual position.
Note
In order to get a more accurate graphical position view, close the register browser
window when using the position graph.
Figure 5: Driving the motor in position mode (TMCL-IDE provides similar view for TMC2208-EVAL)