Reply by Michael Dunn February 23, 20092009-02-23
Tom,

On Mon, Feb 23, 2009 at 8:36 PM, wrote:
> Thanks for your valuable input Mike,
>
>> Your end goal is very important. You need to match your 'must
>> haves' to the DSK/EVM.
>
> Our goal at the moment isn't really a fixed system, but more just to explore
> what DSPs can do, and then work out our system based on a (hopefully) more
> informed position. I know I need a fixed point DSP and generally the more
> processing power the better. However, at this stage ease of use and
> available support is probably more important, given this is a learning
> experience and we don't have prior DSP development experience. The 6455DSK
> seems like the best of the two options and it's also pretty low cost too (I
> can't work out if it comes with CCS but I already have a full copy of
> CCS3.3).


The 6455DSK is probably a good choice. The DSKs usually come with a
'DSK only version of CCS'.
FYI - if you decide to use it with a full version of CCS 3.3, you will
have to install the DSK software.
Spectrum Digital [http://www.spectrumdigital.com/] makes most of the
c6000 DSKs and EVMs. Their web site has more details on the products.
>
> Incidentally, what software is required to work with the ethernet on the
> 6455DSK? Is this the TI NDK software that I saw somewhere cost $5K to $20K
> to get?


Registered CCS users can download an evaluation copy of the NDK [there
is a specific version for 6455 DSK]

mikedunn

>
> Thanks again,
> Tom
>

--
www.dsprelated.com/blogs-1/nf/Mike_Dunn.php

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Reply by toml...@yahoo.com February 23, 20092009-02-23
Thanks for your valuable input Mike,

> Your end goal is very important. You need to match your 'must
> haves' to the DSK/EVM.

Our goal at the moment isn't really a fixed system, but more just to explore what DSPs can do, and then work out our system based on a (hopefully) more informed position. I know I need a fixed point DSP and generally the more processing power the better. However, at this stage ease of use and available support is probably more important, given this is a learning experience and we don't have prior DSP development experience. The 6455DSK seems like the best of the two options and it's also pretty low cost too (I can't work out if it comes with CCS but I already have a full copy of CCS3.3).

Incidentally, what software is required to work with the ethernet on the 6455DSK? Is this the TI NDK software that I saw somewhere cost $5K to $20K to get?

Thanks again,
Tom

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Reply by Michael Dunn February 23, 20092009-02-23
Tom,

On Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 11:16 PM, wrote:
> I'm new to DSP and am interested in two different DSK / EVMs from TI but
> don't know if I also need an emulator with these or if they come with it
> "onboard".
>
> The first one is the TMS320C6455 DSP Starter Kit:
> According to TI docs it has "Embedded XDS510-class JTAG support via USB"


The XDS510 class emulator is on the 6455 DSK. You are ready to
develop and debug with the software installed and the USB port
connected.
>
> The other one is the new TMS320C6474 Evaluation Module which has "Onboard
> JTAG emulation plus a XDS560T (Trace Pod) Header".


same as 6455 DSK.
>
> Other questions that I'd also be curious to know are:
>
> For the 6455DSK is the PCI the best/only way to communicate with a PC for
> high speed I/O?


You can use ethernet if the correct SW is running on the DSK.
>
> The C6474EVM claims "SGMII switch provides Gigabit Ethernet connection".
> Does this include an Ethernet PHY so I can plug it in to an actual cable to
> link with my PC or is this just for the two onboard chips to talk with each
> other?


I believe that there is a std RJ45 ethernet socket on the board, just
like the 6455 [FYI - I have yet to actually see 6474EVM].

>
> Is the C6474EVM available to order yet? TIs website said "wait 6-8 weeks"
> last time I looked but this has now disappeared.


If you are saying that the 'wait 5-6 weeks' statement has disappeared,
it usually means that they ship when the order is processed [I think].
It is not uncommon to see an initial order delay on newly announced
products, although some are available at announcement.
>
> Any other advice from anyone to a newby looking to use these DSK/EVMs?


These are my personal opinions...
1. I would definitely start out with a DSK/EVM that has and on-board
emulator if cost is an issue.
2. I would not choose a 'brand new EVM/DSK with a brand new device'
unless there was some compelling reason to do so.
- There is always the possibility of HW or SW bugs. [ if you do
not have the experience with 'normal TI debugger and EVM/DSK behavior,
you could burn some extra cycles sorting things out].
- The user base will be much smaller, reducing the odds of getting
help from folks on a list like this.
3. Your end goal is very important. You need to match your 'must
haves' to the DSK/EVM.

mikedunn

>
> Cheers
> Tom

--
www.dsprelated.com/blogs-1/nf/Mike_Dunn.php

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Reply by toml...@yahoo.com February 23, 20092009-02-23
I'm new to DSP and am interested in two different DSK / EVMs from TI but don't know if I also need an emulator with these or if they come with it "onboard".

The first one is the TMS320C6455 DSP Starter Kit:
According to TI docs it has "Embedded XDS510-class JTAG support via USB"

The other one is the new TMS320C6474 Evaluation Module which has "Onboard JTAG emulation plus a XDS560T (Trace Pod) Header".

Other questions that I'd also be curious to know are:

For the 6455DSK is the PCI the best/only way to communicate with a PC for high speed I/O?

The C6474EVM claims "SGMII switch provides Gigabit Ethernet connection". Does this include an Ethernet PHY so I can plug it in to an actual cable to link with my PC or is this just for the two onboard chips to talk with each other?

Is the C6474EVM available to order yet? TIs website said "wait 6-8 weeks" last time I looked but this has now disappeared.

Any other advice from anyone to a newby looking to use these DSK/EVMs?

Cheers
Tom

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