MSP-FET doesn't program while MSP430F5529 Launchpad does!

Anup Rajput

Expert 1920 points

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP-FET, MSP430F6736

Hi,

I've lately been having trouble with programming my custom target board (based on MSP430F6736) using my MSP-FET. The MSP430F5529LP on-board debugger successfully programs the board 100% of the time! But, with the MSP-FET, I get one success in about 100 tries!

The message I get is:

MSP430: Trouble Writing Memory Block at 0x4000 on Page 0 of Length 0xd60: Could not erase device memory

MSP430: File Loader: Verification failed: Target failed to write 0x04000

MSP430: GEL: File: <programName>.out: Load failed.

Can anybody offer any suggestions?

I should clarify that it is externally powered in both instances.

over 9 years ago

0 Dennis Eichmann over 9 years ago

Guru 74080 points

Are the edge conditions the same for both? Same cable length and so on? Without knowing your hardware connections everything is just a guess.

0 Anup Rajput over 9 years ago in reply to Dennis Eichmann

Expert 1920 points

Hi Dennis,

The MSP-FET is being programmed through the 14-pin cable supplied in the box. For programming through the Launchpad, I'm using slightly longer jumper cables. I use SBW (3-pins - TST, RST and GND) from Launchpad, while all the JTAG pins are connected when using the MSP-FET. The VCC from the external power is sensed through pin 4 (VCC_TARGET), and the pin 2 (VCC_TOOL) is hanging. This is managed through a jumper and verified to be so.

0 Dennis Eichmann over 9 years ago in reply to Anup Rajput

Guru 74080 points

Which connections from the processor on your target board are routed to the 14-pin connector? GND, Vcc, Test and RST? Is there any capacitance at the RST-pin?

0 Anup Rajput over 9 years ago in reply to Dennis Eichmann

Expert 1920 points

1 - TDO
2 - Floating (not used since target is powered externally)
3 - TDI
4 - VCC_MCU (goes to VCC_SENSE of MSP-FET)
5 - TMS
6 - Not Connected
7 - TCK
8 - TEST/SBWTCK
9 - GND
10 - Not Connected
11 - RST/SWBTDIO
12 - Not Connected
13 - Not Connected
14 - Not Connected

The RST pin had a 2nF capacitor to GND. I've tried after removing it, and there is still no improvement!

0 Dennis Eichmann over 9 years ago in reply to Anup Rajput

Guru 74080 points

Have you tried just connecting

Pin 1 (TDO/TDI of FET) to RST of micro
Pin 4 (Vcc sense) to Vcc of your target board
Pin 7 (TCK of FET) to TEST of micro
Pin 9 (GND) to GND of your target board

0 Anup Rajput over 9 years ago in reply to Dennis Eichmann

Expert 1920 points

This is what I get now:
MSP430: Error connecting to the target: Unknown device

0 Dennis Eichmann over 9 years ago in reply to Anup Rajput

Guru 74080 points

Just for double-checking:

0 Anup Rajput over 9 years ago in reply to Dennis Eichmann

Expert 1920 points

Yes, this is exactly what I tried.

0 Dennis Eichmann over 9 years ago in reply to Anup Rajput

Guru 74080 points

Mhh...but you do not have the LP and the FET connected at the same time at the PC?

0 Anup Rajput over 9 years ago in reply to Dennis Eichmann

Expert 1920 points

No no! Only one at a time. I've tried restarting the CCS session and powering down the device and 2 different machines.

0 Leo Bosch over 9 years ago in reply to Anup Rajput

Guru 23000 points

What is the voltage (Vcc) to your target board and sensed by the FET.

Did you measure with a scope the signals? Does the TEST pin switches fast and stays High?

0 eltury over 9 years ago in reply to Anup Rajput

Genius 3330 points

I had the same issue with the same setup. I had to remove the C on the reset pin entirely to get the FET to program my board, but I was still plagued with noise issues. Making the Reset pull up resistor half as large (~24K) seemed to help. I haven't tried programming with a launchpad as yet. Please post any resolution or progress. Thanks.

0 Anup Rajput over 9 years ago in reply to eltury

Expert 1920 points

I've tried removing the RST capacitor and it hasn't helped!

And, I'm really tied up with this project to have found time to check it out under a scope. I will check and post back as soon as I can.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

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MSP-FET doesn't program while MSP430F5529 Launchpad does!