MSP430FR2676: Using BSL UART without MSP-FET nor MSP-BSL"Rocket"

Koichiro Tashiro

Part Number: MSP430FR2676
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP-FET

Hi,

My customer is thinking to use BSL UART to write their firmware on MSP430FR2676.
I checked a few documents (slau319ab.pdf, slau550aa.pdf) and found MSP-FET or MSP-BSL"Rocket" is needed as communication bridge.
I understood UART TX, UART RX, nDTR, nRTS are needed other than power and GND.

The customer wonders if generic USB-to-UART cables (FTDI 3.3V cable) can be used instead of above TI specific products.
Is this possible?

If not, is there other method to write a firmware using USB-to-UART cable?

Thanks and regards,
Koichiro Tashiro

over 4 years ago

+1 Eddie LaCost over 4 years ago

TI__Mastermind 41280 points

Hello Koichiro,

In our documentation, we use MSP-FET or BSL Rocket as this is the hardware we have available. Since UART BSL is supported by the device, it is possible to use a USB to UART cable as well. See the project below which also uses the DTR and RTS lines of the USB to UART adapter for BSL hardware invocation.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/(msp430)-modified-bsl-scripter-for-windows-now-works-with-usb-to-uart-adapters/

0 Koichiro Tashiro over 4 years ago in reply to Eddie LaCost

TI__Mastermind 22370 points

Hi Eddie,

Thanks for your quick reply.
According to the link you provided, the TI official BSL scripter does not support BSL invocation using DTR/RST lines with USB-to-UART cable.
And customer needs to use the modified scripter which is not reviewed nor approved.
Correct?

Thanks and regards,
Koichiro Tashiro

0 Koichiro Tashiro over 4 years ago in reply to Koichiro Tashiro

TI__Mastermind 22370 points

Eddie,

I have one more question.
Suppose the device is new and no image is in FRAM, the BSL invocation sequence is not necessary thanks to Blank Device Detection.
So USB-to-UART cable and TI official BSL scripter can be used to load a firmware, correct?

Thanks and regards,
Koichiro Tashiro

+1 Eddie LaCost over 4 years ago in reply to Koichiro Tashiro

TI__Mastermind 41280 points

Koichiro,

Correct, the modified scripter would need to be used if they need to use DTR/RST for invocation.

If they are new devices, invocation sequence is not needed and official scripter can be used.

0 Koichiro Tashiro over 4 years ago in reply to Eddie LaCost

TI__Mastermind 22370 points

Eddie,

Thanks!

0 Eddie LaCost over 4 years ago in reply to Koichiro Tashiro

TI__Mastermind 41280 points

No problem!

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MSP430FR2676: Using BSL UART without MSP-FET nor MSP-BSL"Rocket"