MSP430F5438A: Programming using UART interface

Shifali N

Expert 2085 points

Part Number: MSP430F5438A

Hi Team,

I am using MSP430F5438AMPZREP on my board.
1. To program the flash memory or RAM using a UART serial interface whether only Transmit, Receive, and GND signal is sufficient.
2. Can we use USB to UART cable TTL-232R-3V3 to test debug the UART interface?

Regards,

Shifali N

8 months ago

0 Keith Barkley 8 months ago

Guru 38800 points

Yes, you don't need any flow control lines,

No.

You need a USB to 3.3V serial UART, not RS232! RS232 voltages can damage the MCU. Also, not 5 V TTL, that also puts out too much voltage.

0 Seth Jackson 8 months ago in reply to Keith Barkley

Expert 1920 points

Keith Barkley said:
You need a USB to 3.3V serial UART

The part Shifali mentioned, TTL-232R-3V3, is an FTDI cable which has 3.3V input/output.

0 Keith Barkley 8 months ago in reply to Seth Jackson

Guru 38800 points

Arrgh, then why does it have RS232 in the name?

Just a rhetorical Arrgghh!, no need to answer.

0 Jace H 8 months ago

TI__Guru 56685 points

Shifali,

In addition to what the other community members stated, this is assuming you are writing your own UART program routine in the MCU. If you want to utilize pre-programmed UART BSL, then you would need additional signals of RST and TEST to invoke BSL (or application code that sends the device to BSL mode via a SW invoke).

0 Shifali N 8 months ago in reply to Jace H

Expert 2085 points

Hi Jace,

Thank you for your response.

I am planning to use the pre-programmed UART BSL; in that case, I would need RST and TEST signals. But how do I terminate RST and TEST signals? What is the destination where it should be connected?

0 Jace H 8 months ago in reply to Shifali N

TI__Guru 56685 points

Shifali,

Please see the following page for all information about MSP430 BSLs and their options. https://www.ti.com/tool/MSPBSL In particular the MSP430 Flash dEvice BSL UG.

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MSP430F5438A: Programming using UART interface