Tiva C LaunchPad EK-TM4C123GXL ARM Cortex-M4F Board

The Tiva C LaunchPad EK-TM4C123GXL ARM Cortex-M4F Board is a microcontroller development and evaluation platform from Texas Instruments, designed for embedded systems, electronics education, real-time control and ARM microcontroller programming.

Description

Powered by the TM4C123GH6PM microcontroller, the board features a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F processor operating at up to 80 MHz, with 256 KB Flash memory, 32 KB SRAM and 2 KB EEPROM. Its integrated floating-point unit makes it suitable for embedded applications requiring efficient mathematical processing and control algorithms.

The EK-TM4C123GXL LaunchPad includes onboard ICDI debugging, USB connectivity, user-accessible GPIO connections and BoosterPack-compatible expansion headers. These features make it a practical development platform for testing microcontroller peripherals without requiring a separate external debug probe for standard development tasks.

Developers can use Texas Instruments' TivaWare software libraries and compatible development tools to build applications involving UART, SPI, I²C, ADC, PWM, timers, USB and CAN communication.The board is suitable for students, electronics engineers, embedded software developers and researchers working on ARM Cortex-M4F projects.

Key Features

• ARM Cortex-M4F Processor: 32-bit microcontroller core with hardware floating-point support.

• 80 MHz Maximum Clock Speed: Suitable for real-time embedded applications.

• TM4C123GH6PM Microcontroller: Texas Instruments Tiva C Series MCU.

• 256 KB Flash Memory: On-chip storage for application firmware.

• 32 KB SRAM: Memory for runtime data and program execution.

• 2 KB EEPROM: Non-volatile storage for configuration data.

• Onboard ICDI Debugger: Supports programming and debugging without a separate external debug probe.

• USB Connectivity: Micro-USB interface and USB host/device/OTG capability through the target MCU.

• BoosterPack Expansion: Supports compatible LaunchPad expansion boards.

• Multiple Communication Interfaces: UART, SSI/SPI, I²C and CAN controllers.

• 12-bit ADC: Supports analog signal measurement and processing.

• User Controls: Onboard USER and RESET push buttons.

• GPIO Access: Side expansion headers provide access to labelled microcontroller pins.

• TivaWare Support: Software libraries and development resources from Texas Instruments.

Technical Specifications

Applications / Use Cases

Embedded Systems Development

Develop and test firmware for ARM Cortex-M4F microcontrollers using GPIO, interrupts, timers and communication peripherals.

Electronics Education

Suitable for learning embedded C programming, microcontroller architecture, peripheral configuration and debugging.

Industrial Control Prototyping

Useful for developing control algorithms, timing functions and embedded communication prototypes. It is an evaluation board, not a certified industrial PLC or production controller.

Sensor Interfacing

Connect compatible digital and analog sensors using GPIO, ADC, UART, SPI or I²C interfaces.

Motor Control Development

Explore PWM generation, feedback processing and control algorithms with suitable external motor-driver circuitry.

USB Development

Develop USB host, device and OTG applications using supported MCU features and appropriate software.

Communication Projects

Experiment with UART, SPI, I²C and CAN controller functions using suitable external hardware where required.

Academic and Research Projects

Useful for university laboratories, embedded systems coursework, microcontroller experiments and engineering prototypes.

Compatibility

Texas Instruments TivaWare

The EK-TM4C123GXL supports TivaWare for C Series, including peripheral driver libraries, examples and development resources.

Development Environments

The board can be used with supported embedded development environments, including:

• Texas Instruments Code Composer Studio

• Keil MDK-ARM, with suitable device support

• GCC-based ARM embedded toolchains, with appropriate configuration

Software support and installation requirements may vary by operating system and toolchain version.

BoosterPack Expansion

The board provides LaunchPad expansion connections for compatible BoosterPack modules.Not every BoosterPack is automatically compatible. Check its required voltage, pin assignments, current consumption and software support before connecting it.

GPIO and Peripheral Interfacing

The board exposes microcontroller GPIO and peripheral functions through labelled header connections.

Important: TM4C123GH6PM GPIO uses 3.3V logic. External 5V devices may require suitable level shifting or interface circuitry. Do not assume all pins are 5V tolerant.

Programming and Debugging

The onboard ICDI interface supports development and debugging of the target microcontroller through a supported toolchain.

The board also provides a DEVICE / DEBUG selector switch, visible in the actual stock images.

Package Contents

Confirmed product item:

• 1 × Texas Instruments Tiva C Series EK-TM4C123GXL LaunchPad Board
• 1 x Cable

FAQs

1. What is the Tiva C LaunchPad EK-TM4C123GXL?

The Tiva C LaunchPad EK-TM4C123GXL is a microcontroller development and evaluation board from Texas Instruments. It features the TM4C123GH6PM ARM Cortex-M4F microcontroller and is designed for embedded programming, peripheral testing, electronics education and prototyping.

2. Which microcontroller is used in the EK-TM4C123GXL LaunchPad?

The board uses the Texas Instruments TM4C123GH6PM microcontroller, featuring a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F processor operating at up to 80 MHz.

3. How much Flash and RAM does the Tiva C LaunchPad have?

The TM4C123GH6PM microcontroller provides 256 KB Flash memory, 32 KB SRAM and 2 KB EEPROM.

4. Does the Tiva C LaunchPad have an onboard debugger?

Yes. The EK-TM4C123GXL includes an onboard ICDI (In-Circuit Debug Interface), allowing supported development environments to program and debug the target microcontroller without requiring a separate external debug probe for normal development.

5. Which software can I use to program the Tiva C LaunchPad?

The board supports development using Texas Instruments Code Composer Studio, TivaWare software libraries and appropriately configured ARM development toolchains. Keil MDK-ARM may also be used with suitable device support.

6. Does the EK-TM4C123GXL support UART, SPI and I²C communication?

Yes. Its microcontroller includes UART, SSI/SPI and I²C peripherals. The board also supports additional interfaces such as ADC, PWM, timers, USB and CAN controllers.

7. Can I connect sensors and external modules to the Tiva C LaunchPad?

Yes. Compatible sensors and modules can be connected through the board's GPIO and peripheral interfaces. Check pin assignments, logic levels and power requirements before connecting external hardware.

8. Does the Tiva C LaunchPad support USB communication?

Yes. The TM4C123GH6PM supports USB host, device and OTG functions. The board also provides USB connectivity for onboard programming and debugging.

9. Is the Tiva C LaunchPad compatible with BoosterPack modules?

The board provides BoosterPack-compatible expansion headers. However, compatibility with a particular BoosterPack depends on its pin assignments, operating voltage, power requirements and software support.

10. Does the Tiva C LaunchPad have built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

No. The EK-TM4C123GXL does not include integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. Wireless functionality requires suitable external hardware.

11. Is the EK-TM4C123GXL suitable for beginners?

Yes, particularly for students learning embedded C programming and ARM microcontrollers. Some familiarity with electronics and programming is helpful because the development environment and peripheral configuration are more advanced than those of many entry-level boards.

12. What is the difference between TM4C123GH6PM and EK-TM4C123GXL?

TM4C123GH6PM is the microcontroller part number, while EK-TM4C123GXL identifies the complete Texas Instruments LaunchPad evaluation board.

13. Can I use this board for motor control projects?

Yes. The microcontroller provides PWM, timers and other peripherals useful for motor-control development. An appropriate external motor driver is required to operate a motor safely.

14. Where can I buy the Tiva C LaunchPad in Pakistan?

You can purchase the Tiva C LaunchPad EK-TM4C123GXL through Chip.pk  subject to current availability. Check the product page for the latest price and delivery information.