MSP-EXP430FR2311: Windows Drivers when CCS is not installed

Keith Barkley

I intend to use this Launchpad as a peripheral on a PC using Serial Communication. If I don't have CCS installed is there a way to install drivers to allow serial communication with the back-channel UART?

over 2 years ago

0 Leonardo Estevez over 2 years ago

TI__Genius 12615 points

Hi Keith,

I believe you should be able to install those driver via CCS cloud(without installing CCS).

BR,
Leo

0 Keith Barkley over 2 years ago in reply to Leonardo Estevez

Guru 37285 points

Does CCS cloud install anything else on the machine?

+1 James Evans over 2 years ago in reply to Keith Barkley

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hi Keith,

The TI Cloud Agent will get installed when using CCS Cloud. According to the Overview in the TI Cloud Agent user's guide, device-specific support files are downloaded as needed to minimize the size of the installation footprint. The TI Cloud Agent should install drivers for the common debuggers and allow the back-channel UART to be used. Otherwise, you may need to import a project for your device into CCS Cloud and download/debug to install any other files that may get used by the device and/or debugger.

0 Keith Barkley over 2 years ago in reply to James Evans

Guru 37285 points

Thanks, I want this to be installed on computers that have no need for CCS, so I think I will just get a USB-Serial adapter with an FTDI chip. At one time I thought there were separate driver packages.

0 Keith Barkley over 2 years ago in reply to James Evans

Guru 37285 points

Shouldn't this work?

https://www.ti.com/tool/download/MSPDS-USB-DRIVERS

0 James Evans over 2 years ago in reply to Keith Barkley

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hi Keith,

I'll have to try the USB drivers link. Before installing anything on my personal PC, I just plugged in a G2ET LaunchPad and was able to transmit data from a serial terminal (but not receive it) through the back-channel UART. My setup:

Personal PC --> USB cable --> G2ET LP --> U105 TX pin (RXD<<) on LP --> RX pin on TTL-to-USB serial adapter --> Work PC

0 James Evans over 2 years ago in reply to James Evans

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Here's what the LaunchPad looks like in Device Manager without installing anything.

I used COM5 (first one) as the Application (back-channel UART) interface.

0 Keith Barkley over 2 years ago in reply to James Evans

Guru 37285 points

So you bypassed the EZ_FET on the G2ET launchpad/

0 Keith Barkley over 2 years ago in reply to James Evans

Guru 37285 points

So at some point it looks like you did install drivers.

0 James Evans over 2 years ago in reply to Keith Barkley

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Keith Barkley said:
So you bypassed the EZ_FET on the G2ET launchpad/

No, I went through it. I updated my crude setup diagram above to be more clear.

0 James Evans over 2 years ago in reply to James Evans

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Okay, I switched to a FR2311 LaunchPad (sorry, was using G2ET earlier). Without installing anything, I was able to get both TX and RX to work using the back-channel UART on the FR2311 LaunchPad. I remembered that the G2ET LaunchPad has SW and HW UART support, depending on the jumper orientation on the isolation jumper block, and I think that explains why only TX worked for me.

As far as installations, I only have the Energy Measurement Design Center installed on my personal PC. That's the only thing in the C:\ti folder. I didn't find anything else that would have installed drivers.

Edit: I did notice that the Debug port enumerated first rather than second for this LaunchPad. It was second for the G2ET LaunchPad, so it doesn't seem like the order is consistent.

0 Keith Barkley over 2 years ago in reply to James Evans

Guru 37285 points

Thanks. I'll try. It can't hurt. I would not be surprised in the EMDC did not install drivers. Doesn't it use USB-Serial to talk to the GUI?

0 James Evans over 2 years ago in reply to Keith Barkley

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hmm, I don't think EMDC installs any drivers, specifically because our Design Center framework relies on USB HID bridges to avoid drivers that are typically required for USB CDC devices. Unfortunately, I don't have any more PCs without installed drivers. Hopefully, you get the same result as I did on a fresh PC. Let us know what you find out.

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MSP-EXP430FR2311: Windows Drivers when CCS is not installed