I am using a MSP430F5419A part in a security and safety critical application and I want to disable use of the bootstrap loader (BSL) as much as possible. I have set the SYSBSLOFF in the SYSBSLC register to prevent access by the application firmware. To disable external access, I planned to erase the BSL in the Flash, but I read a post on this forum that this was a bad idea.
Why is erasing the BSL not a good idea? I have erased it on one of my parts and see to be able to debug, program, etc. via Spi-by-Wire.
Thanks,Austin
If you do not use BSL and do not want others to use BSL, erasing the BSL-Flash is not a bad idea.
A. KirchhoffWhy is erasing the BSL not a good idea? I have erased it on one of my parts and see to be able to debug, program, etc. via Spi-by-Wire.
BSL is a last-chance to revive an MSP that isn't responding to JTAG anymore. Or a convenient wy to do field updates without need for a FET.
Since the BSL is password-protected and a wrong password erases the MSP content, there is no need to disable it. At lesat not on the 5x family (and on older families, there was no way to disable/erase it anyway).
If you erase the BSL, well, the last chance is spoiled, but everyhting else will still work. As long as you don't break something (e.g. by flashing a software that causes a reset loop and blocks JTAG)
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Jens-Michael,
Got it. Thanks for your reply.
I agree the BSL is a nice backup in case something goes wrong after blowing the JTAG fuse, but good to know the two (SBW/JTAG) are unrelated.
Austin