Evaluation Software Details
LAST CRC
The last CRC received by the GUI was incorrect for the contents of the packet. This
usually indicates a communication error caused by improper connection, excessive
cabling, etc. The cause of the communication error should be corrected before continuing.
LOG
Green if a log file is being written to. Logging is useful to capture information about cell or
interface behavior over long periods of time
STACK
At least one device was found during auto-addressing or rebuild addresses. This indicates
that the bottom device in the stack was found, is powered, not in POR, and the ribbon
cable from the Aardvark to the EVM is connected correctly. This verifies the cabling and
connection all the way to the IC.
INTERFACE
The Aardvark USB-SPI interface adapter was successfully found and communicated with.
This verifies the cabling and driver to the adapter.
5.1.5
Global Registers
DEVICE
The Address of the device currently being communicated with. Change to access
different devices in the stack. “BROADCAST” mode also available to send a single
command to all devices in the stack. (In BROADCAST mode, no data are shown – the
interface can only display data from one device at a time.
STACK HT.
The number of devices found during the last AUTO-ADDRESS or REBUILD-
ADDRESS cycle.
POLL
Check or un-check this box to turn polling on or off. Note that many menu items are
unavailable during polling – turn polling off to access them.
RATE
This list box allows choosing a polling rate between 100ms and 60s. The LED
illuminates green each time the GUI polls the device stack. Useful as a heartbeat
indicator when polling or logging is active. A setting “Fast” is also available. In this
position, the WinGUI will poll as fast as possible, with only Windows operating system
slowing it down. On most systems, this results in a poll every 10-20ms, but your results
may vary depending on the speed of your CPU and other tasks that are running.
LOG STACK
Enables or disables data logging. Logging is to a file in comma-separated-values (.csv)
format. Set up logging in the LOG | SETUP menu. Logging may also be started /
stopped under the LOG menu. Data are captured each poll, set by the polling interval
in TOOLS | INTERFACE.
VIEW PLOT
Check this box to view a dynamic plot of data collected during polling. See
for further information on configuring the plotter.
HW I/O
Check this box to force the Evaluation software to use the hardware pins CONV and
DRDY to initiate and monitor ADC conversion cycles, instead of sending commands to
the CONVERT_CTRL[CONV] register bit. Similarly, it is monitoring the FAULT and
ALERT hardware pin states to determine a FAULT and/or ALERT condition being
present. Note that in HW I/O mode, the REFRESH button toggles the hardware CONV
line, but the user may optionally use the CONVERT_CTRL[CONV] bit to force software
initiated conversions by clicking on the bit.
10
bq76PL536A and bq76PL536A-Q1 EVM Quick Start Guide
SLUU437D – October 2010 – Revised July 2015
Copyright © 2010–2015, Texas Instruments Incorporated