How do I install TI Code Composer to program the PRU in C

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Clark Sann

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May 8, 2017, 8:58:19 PM5/8/17
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I am trying to install TI's Code Composer in order to use it's C compiler for the PRU. I can't figure out what processor family to select to get support for the Sitara AM3358 ARM Cortex A8 processor used in the BBB and BBBlue. None of the processor families seem to be related to BBs. 

I've tried to install both V7 (the current version) and V6 but neither appear to support Sitara processors.

Robert Nelson

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May 8, 2017, 9:02:50 PM5/8/17
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You can grab the compiler via:

http://software-dl.ti.com/codegen/non-esd/downloads/download.htm#PRU

otherwise it's just the am335x family in TI's Code Composer (v6 or v7)
in the optional tools download..

Regards,

--
Robert Nelson
https://rcn-ee.com/

Robert Nelson

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May 8, 2017, 9:38:02 PM5/8/17
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On Mon, May 8, 2017 at 8:35 PM, Clark Sann <acs...@icloud.com> wrote:
> Thanks Robert!!
>
> Since the PRU C compiler is available separately from CC, am I correct that I don’t need to install CC at all if I don’t plan to use it to develop user space code. I plan to use my Eclipse cross compiler for that. Is there any reason I should use the TI CC in place of my Eclipse cross compiler?

Use what ever development environment you want.. TI's CC is the
easiest to fire up a jtag to connect the the pru..

We also ship the arm version of the PRU C compiler in our default images.

Clark Sann

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May 8, 2017, 9:59:17 PM5/8/17
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Thanks again, Robert. I really appreciate your prompt reply to my questions.

I’m not sure what you mean in your last message….I’ve got a lot to learn about embedded development, especially concerning the BB. I’m sure I’ll figure it out as I start my first Hello World PRU app.

However I am going to keep my CC V7 install and delete my CC V6 install. So I’m trying to find the AM335x family in CC. I’m looking in Help / Install New Software. I’ve selected All Available sites and searched for am335 but found nothing. I did find Sitara Device Support but it wouldn’t let me install it. The error message said it "cannot be installed in this environment because its filter is not applicable.” Do you know what that means?

Clark
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William Hermans

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May 8, 2017, 9:59:38 PM5/8/17
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Hi Clark,

No, you do not need to use Code Composer Studio. You can use the old TI ASM toolchain, and there are two C compilers for the PRU's. One of which is also from TI. Someone else ported gcc to the PRU as well.

Here is a link to a list of compilers, the first one from TI is the cgt C compiler for the PRU. With binaries for Windows, Linux, and ARMv8 Linux. Quite honestly, the ARMv8 compiler option is what I'd suggest( used on the beaglebone ), and I can not even see how the Windows version is useful . . .but it's there.

Anyway, some people prefer to use CCS because, it's an IDE to make them feel all warm and fuzzy. CCS does seem to have some nice bell and whistles, but at the cost of a huge download, and bloated software that I've personally found sluggish in the past. I prefer to use the toolchain from the commandline, and use a text editor with good syntax highlighting instead . ..

William Hermans

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May 8, 2017, 10:01:08 PM5/8/17
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Uh yeah, HERE is the link: http://elinux.org/Ti_AM33XX_PRUSSv2#C_Compiler hehehe . . .

Robert Nelson

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May 8, 2017, 10:11:59 PM5/8/17
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On Mon, May 8, 2017 at 8:59 PM, Clark Sann <acs...@icloud.com> wrote:
> Thanks again, Robert. I really appreciate your prompt reply to my questions.
>
> I’m not sure what you mean in your last message….I’ve got a lot to learn about embedded development, especially concerning the BB. I’m sure I’ll figure it out as I start my first Hello World PRU app.
>
> However I am going to keep my CC V7 install and delete my CC V6 install. So I’m trying to find the AM335x family in CC. I’m looking in Help / Install New Software. I’ve selected All Available sites and searched for am335 but found nothing. I did find Sitara Device Support but it wouldn’t let me install it. The error message said it "cannot be installed in this environment because its filter is not applicable.” Do you know what that means?


In CC V7 its:

[x] Sitara(tm) AMx Processors

Clark Sann

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May 8, 2017, 10:13:58 PM5/8/17
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OK, but it won’t let me install it. Could it be because I installed the wrong family when I first installed CC? I was forced to pick at least one family and I had no idea which one was the best since none of them seemed even remotely applicable to the Sitara processor.
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Mark Lazarewicz

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May 8, 2017, 10:54:14 PM5/8/17
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Your asking a question in a forum that doesn't use or support CCS bad idea. Start here and ask question on their wiki


On Mon, May 8, 2017 at 9:13 PM, Clark Sann
OK, but it won’t let me install it. Could it be because I installed the wrong family when I first installed CC? I was forced to pick at least one family and I had no idea which one was the best since none of them seemed even remotely applicable to the Sitara processor.

> On May 8, 2017, at 9:11 PM, Robert Nelson <robert...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On Mon, May 8, 2017 at 8:59 PM, Clark Sann <acs...@icloud.com> wrote:
>> Thanks again, Robert. I really appreciate your prompt reply to my questions.
>>
>> I’m not sure what you mean in your last message….I’ve got a lot to learn about embedded development, especially concerning the BB. I’m sure I’ll figure it out as I start my first Hello World PRU app.
>>
>> However I am going to keep my CC V7 install and delete my CC V6 install. So I’m trying to find the AM335x family in CC. I’m looking in Help / Install New Software. I’ve selected All Available sites and searched for am335 but found nothing. I did find Sitara Device Support but it wouldn’t let me install it. The error message said it "cannot be installed in this environment because its filter is not applicable.” Do you know what that means?
>
>
> In CC V7 its:
>
> [x] Sitara(tm) AMx Processors
>
> Regards,
>
> --
> Robert Nelson
> https://rcn-ee.com/
>
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Clark Sann

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May 10, 2017, 10:52:01 PM5/10/17
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I posted on a TI CCS forum and got my answer. The reason I can't find the Sitara processor in my install of CCS7 is because it isn't there. The Sitara processor is not supported in CCS7 for the Mac. That's bad. But I did get it installed on my Debian 8 VM which is on the Mac so I'm happy.

Thanks again everyone for your help!
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