TMC428 – Application Note – TMC428 Getting Started – Including StallGuard
(v. 2.00 / April 14, 2008)
TMC428 – Application Note
TMC428 Getting Started – Including StallGuard
1. Introduction
The TMC428 datasheet gives a detailed description of all its registers and its functionality. In addition
to the TMC428 datasheet, this application note describes the basic steps how to initialize the TMC428
and how to run a motor. It gives two practical examples written in C language – 'tmc428demo' and
'Sample428_236'. The complete sources are available as archives named 'tmc428demo.zip' and
'sample428_236.zip' for download from www.trinamic.com. The C examples can be used as a
base for own applications. The code and information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied.
The TMC428 datasheet is recommended as a base for this application note. The sample C code
included within 'tmc428demo.zip' is a win32 console application that communicates with a
TMC428 evaluation board via RS232. TMC428 evaluation boards are offered by TRINAMIC
distributors. The compact example 'Sample428_236.zip' is intended to outline how to realize an
application for running on a stand-alone micro controller. Routines for communication with the TMC428
TM
via SPI
are specific for each type of micro controller and have to be added.
This application note has been updated concerning the use of datagram_low_word and
datagram_high_word that build the interface registers to read out diagnosis and status information
from the stepper motor driver chain. This mechanism is also need to read the StallGuard information –
names load indicator bits - from TRINAMIC stepper motor drivers TMC246 and TMC249. In addition,
the implementation of StallGuard profilers is described as now implemented as exemplary C code
within the 'tmc428demo.zip'
In contrast to low level C programming, TRINAMIC credit card size modules come with TMCL
(TRINAMIC Motion control Language) together with an IDE (Integrated Development Environment
running under Windows). TMCL allows rapid prototyping and building user applications without the
need of low level C programming. Please refer to the TMCL user manual resp. the user manuals of the
different modules for details.
SPI is Trademark of Motorola, Inc.
StallGuard and TMCL are trademarks of TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
Copyright © 2005-2008 TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG
TM
TM
®
TRINAMIC
Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG
1
Sternstraße 67
D – 20357 Hamburg
GERMANY
www.trinamic.com
TM
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