MSP430FR5969-SP: Programming Through FPGA

Jackson Carmichael

Hello!

I had a question about programming my MSP430. I wanted to add a provision for programming it through an FPGA.

Using the SPY BI-Wire method; will it be good enough if I connect the SBWTCK IN and SBWTDIO pins to the CLK and DATA of the FPGA?

Thank you for your help!

over 4 years ago

0 Evan Lew over 4 years ago

TI__Genius 10060 points

Hi Jackson,

SBW is not a best choice for developing your own bootloader. MSP430 offers BSL which provides functionality to program the device over UART or I2C (or other options too).

More info here: Bootloader (BSL) Scripter and MSP430 FRAM Devices Bootloader (BSL)

Regards,

Evan

0 Jackson Carmichael over 4 years ago in reply to Evan Lew

TI__Intellectual 1130 points

Hey Evan,

Thanks for the advice, I had a follow-up question.

So I will be using this for in flight programming, would that work if we make the connection through UART or I2C to a programmable device to program the MSP430?

Also, is there anything else I should consider when making these connections to the MSP430?

Thanks again!

0 Evan Lew over 4 years ago in reply to Jackson Carmichael

TI__Genius 10060 points

Hi Jackson,

I don't know what you mean by "in-flight programming". Can you clarify what the specific requirements are for the application?

Regards,

Evan

0 Jackson Carmichael over 4 years ago in reply to Evan Lew

TI__Intellectual 1130 points

Hey Evan,

By "in-flight programming" I mean that programming will not only be done at the time of production/assembly but will be done when the device is actually deployed (in our use case, in space).

Thanks,

Jackson Carmichael

+1 Evan Lew over 4 years ago in reply to Jackson Carmichael

TI__Genius 10060 points

Thanks for clarifying that.

I still recommend BSL for your application.

BSL has two methods for opening a BSL session: HW and SW invoke. For your application I would recommend that you have a mechanism to perform a HW invoke sequence. HW invoke is the most reliable way to put the device in BSL mode. With a HW invoke methodology, if a BSL transaction gets corrupted you can always* start again by reinitiating the HW invoke sequence. However your system depends solely on SW invoke and your SW gets corrupted then you don't have a way to reflash the device.

* there are security features to disable the BSL entirely which could lock you out from all the programming interfaces, but you would have to explicitly enable those.

These guides will have all the relevant info: Bootloader (BSL) Scripter and MSP430 FRAM Devices Bootloader (BSL)

Regards,

Evan

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MSP430FR5969-SP: Programming Through FPGA