Expand the number of input/output (I/O) pins in your system with TCAL9538 and TM4C1294NCPDT
8-bit I2C-bus I/O expander in a Click Snap form factor
Published Sep 24, 2024
Click board™
Expand 19 Click
Dev. board
Fusion for Tiva v8
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
TM4C1294NCPDT
Add additional general I/O pins for a variety of applications
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
Expand 19 Click is based on the TCAL9538, an 8-bit I2C-bus I/O expander from Texas Instruments. This Click board™ provides a simple solution for applications that require additional input/output lines, such as controlling switches, sensors, push-buttons, LEDs, and more. Operating at 3.3V, the TCAL9538 allows easy integration into existing systems using the standard two-wire I2C communication protocol. At its core, the TCAL9538 features 8-bit data registers that enable users to configure the I/O pins as inputs or outputs. Upon power-up or a software reset, all I/Os are set as inputs by default. However, they can be reconfigured by the host microcontroller through the Configuration registers. The data for each pin is stored in dedicated Input Port or Output Port registers, which are accessible for reading by the host MCU. Additionally, the polarity of the Input Port can be adjusted via the Polarity Inversion register, offering flexibility in design and signal interpretation. This Click board™ is designed in a
unique format supporting the newly introduced MIKROE feature called "Click Snap." Unlike the standardized version of Click boards, this feature allows the main sensor area to become movable by breaking the PCB, opening up many new possibilities for implementation. Thanks to the Snap feature, the TCAL9538 can operate autonomously by accessing its signals directly on the pins marked 1-8. Additionally, the Snap part includes a specified and fixed screw hole position, enabling users to secure the Snap board in their desired location. One of the key features of the TCAL9538 is its Agile I/O functionality, which enhances the performance of the I/O ports. This includes configurable output drive strength, programmable pull-up and pull-down resistors, latchable inputs, and maskable interrupts. The device also offers programmable open-drain or push-pull output modes, making it adaptable to various application requirements. These Agile I/O features provide the flexibility to optimize your design for power
consumption, speed, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). Expand 19 Click uses an I2C interface with clock speeds of up to 1MHz, ensuring fast and efficient communication with the host MCU. The I2C address can be easily configured via onboard jumpers, allowing multiple devices tocoexist on the same bus. Additionally, the board features an interrupt (INT) pin triggered whenever there is a change in the state of any input port, ensuring real-time response to external events, and a reset (RST) pin for power cycling to return the device to its default state. This ensures reliable operation and easy recovery in case of unexpected issues. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Also, it comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.
Features overview
Development board
Fusion for TIVA v8 is a development board specially designed for the needs of rapid development of embedded applications. It supports a wide range of microcontrollers, such as different 32-bit ARM® Cortex®-M based MCUs from Texas Instruments, regardless of their number of pins, and a broad set of unique functions, such as the first-ever embedded debugger/programmer over a WiFi network. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others, in one place. Thanks to innovative manufacturing technology, Fusion for TIVA v8 provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access
anywhere and under any circumstances at any time. Each part of the Fusion for TIVA v8 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. An advanced integrated CODEGRIP programmer/debugger module offers many valuable programming/debugging options, including support for JTAG, SWD, and SWO Trace (Single Wire Output)), and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment. Besides, it also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development board. It can use a wide range of external power sources, including a battery, an external 12V power supply, and a power source via the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector.
Communication options such as USB-UART, USB HOST/DEVICE, CAN (on the MCU card, if supported), and Ethernet is also included. In addition, it also has the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, a standardized socket for the MCU card (SiBRAIN standard), and two display options for the TFT board line of products and character-based LCD. Fusion for TIVA v8 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Type
8th Generation
Architecture
ARM Cortex-M4
MCU Memory (KB)
1024
Silicon Vendor
Texas Instruments
Pin count
128
RAM (Bytes)
262144
Used MCU Pins
mikroBUS™ mapper
Take a closer look
Click board™ Schematic
Step by step
Project assembly
Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Fusion for Tiva v8 as your development board.
Track your results in real time
Application Output
1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.
2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.
3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.
Software Support
Library Description
This library contains API for Expand 19 Click driver.
Key functions:
expand19_set_pin_direction- This function sets the direction of the selected pins.expand19_set_all_pins_value- This function sets the value of all output pins.expand19_read_port_value- This function reads the value of all input pins.
Open Source
Code example
The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.
/*!
* @file main.c
* @brief Expand 19 Click example
*
* # Description
* This example demonstrates the use of Expand 19 click board by setting and
* reading the port state.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initializes the driver and performs the click default configuration which sets
* the pins 0-3 as output and others as input with pull-up enabled.
*
* ## Application Task
* Sets the output pins and then reads the status of all pins and
* displays the results on the USB UART approximately once per second.
*
* @author Stefan Filipovic
*
*/
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "expand19.h"
static expand19_t expand19;
static log_t logger;
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg; /**< Logger config object. */
expand19_cfg_t expand19_cfg; /**< Click config object. */
/**
* Logger initialization.
* Default baud rate: 115200
* Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
* @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX
* are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will
* need to define them manually for log to work.
* See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
*/
LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );
// Click initialization.
expand19_cfg_setup( &expand19_cfg );
EXPAND19_MAP_MIKROBUS( expand19_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
if ( I2C_MASTER_ERROR == expand19_init( &expand19, &expand19_cfg ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
for ( ; ; );
}
if ( EXPAND19_ERROR == expand19_default_cfg ( &expand19 ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
for ( ; ; );
}
log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}
void application_task ( void )
{
uint8_t port_value = 0;
for ( uint16_t pin_num = EXPAND19_PIN_0_MASK; pin_num <= EXPAND19_PIN_3_MASK; pin_num <<= 1 )
{
expand19_set_all_pins_value( &expand19, pin_num );
expand19_read_port_value( &expand19, &port_value );
log_printf( &logger, " Port status: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) port_value );
Delay_ms( 1000 );
}
}
int main ( void )
{
/* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
#ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
preinit();
#endif
application_init( );
for ( ; ; )
{
application_task( );
}
return 0;
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
