Frequently asked questions/console boards
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If your question is not in this FAQ, please feel free to ask it on the Mailing list
What steps are needed to get the consoleLCD-vx working ?
Follow Matt Hamrick's wiki steps to bring up the consoleLCD-vx, posted here.
In what way does the console-st board (BRD00003) differ from the console-hw board (BRD00002)?
- For the second exposed RS232 serial connector , the console-st board uses the ST-UART instead of the HW-UART (ttyS2 instead of ttyS3).
Note: The ST-UART is actually present on the console-hw board, but the ST-UART comes out as logic-level signals on the solder pads at the back of that console board, rather than going through the level shifter and coming out of the serial connector at the RS232 level.
Name changes as of March. 2007:
- console-st board used to be called the waysmall STUART board (BRD00003)
- console-hw board used to be called the waysmall original board (BRD00002)
When would I use the console-st board rather than the console-hw board?
Use the console-st board when you need two serial ports for:
- gumstix connex platform with Etherstix
- gumstix connex platform with cfstix
- gumstix basix platform with bluetooth
Note: In these situations, the second serial port of the console-hw board, which uses HWUART, becomes unavailable due to a serial line conflict. The console-st board uses the ST-UART serial interface on it's exposed, second serial connector, also called ttyS2, making that second serial port available in these scenarios.
Name changes as of March. 2007:
- console-st board used to be called the waysmall STUART board (BRD00003)
- console-hw board used to be called the waysmall original board (BRD00002)
Which two serial interfaces are brought out to the two RS232 serial connectors on the console-hw board and on the console-st board?
The console-st board brings out:
i. FF-UART
ii. ST-UART
The console-hw board brings out:
i. FF-UART
ii. HW-UART
Name changes as of March. 2007:
- console-st board used to be called the waysmall STUART board (BRD00003)
- console-hw board used to be called the waysmall original board (BRD00002)
Are waysmall computers and gumstix packs packaged with the right console boards that enable two serial ports?
Yes, with the availability of the console-st board (BRD00003), two serial ports are available in those configurations.
The console-st board is included with:
i. The two Waysmall Computers with bluetooth (ws200st-bt and ws400st-bt)
ii. the etherstix packs
iii. the cfstix packs
The console-st board (BRD00002) is included with the non-bluetooth Waysmall computers (ws200ax and ws400ax).
This will ensure that both serial ports are available in each of these configurations.
Product Name changes as of March. 2007:
- console-st board used to be called the waysmall STUART board (BRD00003)
- console-hw board used to be called the waysmall original board (BRD00002)
.
What about the console-hw board (BRD00002) ?
The console-hw expansion board provides two available serial ports when connected to the gumstix basix platform without Bluetooth (e.g. inside waysmall computers ws200ax and ws400ax) and the waysmall original board provides one serial port when connected to the gumstix basix platform using bluetooth and when connected to the gumstix connex platform using cfstix or etherstix.
We think people use the console-hw expansion board (BRD00002) when using the gumstix basix platform without bluetooth and when there is a need for just one serial port when using the gumstix connex platform.
Product Name changes as of March. 2007:
- console-st board used to be called the waysmall STUART board (BRD00003)
- console-hw board used to be called the waysmall original board (BRD00002)
How can the second RS232 serial port on the console-hw board (BRD00002) be enabled when using the gumstix basix platform with bluetooth or when using the gumstix connex platform with cfstix or netCF?
There's a 2-wire solder and cut process which enables two serial ports (FF-UART and ST-UART) on the exposed RS232 interfaces of the console-hw board for these configurations.
The 2nd serial port, which defaults to using the HWUART, can be configured to use the STUART instead, if the console board is being used in conjunction with either bluetooth or a connex board. You will need to reconfigure the GPIO lines, by cutting two lines on the board, and soldering two wires.
When not using bluetooth, netCF or cfstix, can the console-hw board (BRD00002) be used to talk to that 2nd serial port?
Without bluetooth or any gumstix connex expansion card, HWUART can be enabled in software and connected to the 2nd serial port. Make this change, after booting the gumstix, by entering the following commands:
# modprobe proc_gpio # echo AF1 out > /proc/gpio/GPIO48 # echo AF1 in > /proc/gpio/GPIO49 # echo AF1 in > /proc/gpio/GPIO50 # echo AF1 out > /proc/gpio/GPIO51 # for i in 42 43 44 45;do echo GPIO in > /proc/gpio/GPIO$i;done
Should serial cables and an mmc card be purchased with a waysmall computer?
Yes. Purchasing a student pack is the most efficient way to get this full set of boards and cables. For more information, go hereexternal link.
Is the serial null modem cable required to establish a connection to a waysmall board/computer?
Yes. As a minimimum requirement, use a serial null-modem cable to plug on ttyS0.
This will give access to u-boot and a linux console at 115,200 bps.
How can the gumstix be interfaced with a 3.3v serial device (that accepts 5v)?
Use a breakout-gs board and tap one of the UARTS--> these are all 3.3V
Can the waysmall computer or any of the console expansion boards be powered via their usb port?
No, none of the waysmall computers or console expansion boards may be usb-powered via their usb port.
