MSP430F5529: Use of flash memory

Jacob Ignatius

Part Number: MSP430F5529

Hi,

I am pretty new to the MSP430 microcontroller. I have been reading about its flash memory.

I understand that the program code is flashed onto the main memory banks (A-D), which are 64kb in size. Other data (e.g. non-volatile user information) can be stored in the smaller information segments that are only 128 bytes in size. That's a lot smaller than I was expecting.

Can I use the main flash memory to store user non-volatile data? From what address is the program code stored from?

over 6 years ago

0 Clemens Ladisch over 6 years ago

Guru 243220 points

There is no difference whatsoever between information memory and main memory, except for the flash segment size (128 vs. 512). You can store your data anywhere.

Code is stored wherever the linker command file allows it to be stored. To reserve some segment for other data, customize it (this is compiler specific).

0 Jacob Ignatius over 6 years ago in reply to Clemens Ladisch

Intellectual 300 points

Thanks for your reply.

Do you know which bank the program code goes into? How do you determine how much of the main memory has been taken by the program code?

0 Clemens Ladisch over 6 years ago in reply to Jacob Ignatius

Guru 243220 points

Code might go into any bank.

You have to customize the linker command file. See the Linker Command File Primer.

0 Jeff Hastings over 6 years ago in reply to Jacob Ignatius

Intellectual 820 points

The .map file will show your exact memory usage. IIRC, all the standard linker command files for the high-end 'F55xx devices will begin the code at 0x4400h, the start of bank A . see table 6-2 of SLAS590; the far right column applies to the '5529. For the very-lowest-end '5xxxx devices, code starts at 0x8000

0 Jacob Ignatius over 6 years ago in reply to Jeff Hastings

Intellectual 300 points

Ok. Thanks.

Is it necessary to implement wear leveling in order to prolong the life of the memory segments? If so how best is this done on the MSP430?

0 Clemens Ladisch over 6 years ago in reply to Jacob Ignatius

Guru 243220 points

You need wear leveling only if you would erase any single segment too often otherwise.

The datasheet guarantees an erase/program endurance of at least 10000 cycles. Also see section 3.2 of MSP430 Flash Memory Characteristics (SLAA334).

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MSP430F5529: Use of flash memory