MSP-EXP430FR5994: How to I transmit data using wireless communication?

Isabella Mariz

Part Number: MSP-EXP430FR5994
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP430FR5994, CC2652R

Tool/software:

Hi, I have bought the MSP-EXP430FR5994 development kit in order to implement an IoT application.

My goal is to use this board to read a temperature sensor and then transmit the collected data to another MCU using wireless communication.

I know this MCU supports wired data transmission through I2C, SPI and UART protocols, but I haven't found any clear information on what compatible hardware I need for wireless communication. The Nordic microcontrollers often come with embedded transmitters and radio antennas for example. Is this the case for the MSP-EXP430FR5994 as well? Or do I need an external radio, bluetooth or wi-fi module? (The User and Family Guides were unclear). Texas Instruments has hundreds of wireless communication hardware, ranging fom BLE and Wi-Fi to RF. Which one could I use that is compatible to my MCU? What radio module? What bluetooth or wi-fi module? I have scoured the TI Forum for this information with no sucess.

TLDR: How to I transmit data from my MSP430FR5994 to another MCU using wireless communication?

Thank you!

over 1 year ago

0 Gary Gao over 1 year ago

TI__Mastermind 39750 points

I think you need a wireless module outside, let me move this thread to our wireless team to advice you some devices there

0 Keith Barkley over 1 year ago

Guru 42195 points

Along with what Gary said, I suggest one of the wireless modules with an integrated controller like the sensor tag:

https://www.ti.com/tool/TIDC-CC2650STK-SENSORTAG

No MSP430 necessary.

0 Toby over 1 year ago

TI__Mastermind 35070 points

Hi,

There are different wireless technologies available, some details of each here: https://www.ti.com/lit/swat016

Can you confirm which technology you would like to use?

Thanks,
Toby

0 Isabella Mariz over 1 year ago in reply to Keith Barkley

Prodigy 10 points

My experiment involves using an energy harvesting module as a powering strategy, so I do kinda need the MSP430FR5994 in order to persist the data in the FRAM through cycles of power loss. But I will look into that module you sent. Thank you!

0 Isabella Mariz over 1 year ago in reply to Toby

Prodigy 10 points

Thank you for that list! It was very helpful.

The BLE and the Zigbee are the ones that stood out the most to me, since my project involves powering the MCU with Energy Harvesting. Low power bluetooth would be more desirable, and I need to avoid using battery-powered modules, because of the EH. The ability to be powered by EH (like the Zigbee) would be nice. And it needs to be compatible with the MSP430FR59xx. I'm not against using radio-frequency either.

You have any recommendations in regards to those technologies?

+1 Toby over 1 year ago in reply to Isabella Mariz

TI__Mastermind 35070 points

We do have devices supporting both BLE and Zigbee, so you can choose for either one. E.g. if you use CC2652Rx device, then it can support either Zigbee or BLE. The HW design can be worked on before choosing which one you want (either Zigbee or BLE).

Here is a post which contains reference to the power consumption for both: https://e2e.ti.com/support/wireless-connectivity/zigbee-thread-group/zigbee-and-thread/f/zigbee-thread-forum/897021/cc2652r-power-calculator-spreadsheet-for-zigbee

This can help with energy budget calculations.

Note that you likely have to design some of the interface itself between MSP and Wireless MCU, as typically for 2-chip solutions we offer (BLE HCI or Zigbee Network Processor) there is assumed steady power (e.g. from battery or mains).

0 Isabella Mariz over 1 year ago in reply to Toby

Prodigy 10 points

Thank you very much, Toby! Just to confirm: an CC2652Rx device is compatible with my MSP430FR59xx, but I will have to work on guaranteeing a steady power supply to the CC2652Rx. Correct? Also, the connection between the MSP and the Wireless MCU can be done by wire, via SPI, for example? I'm guessing that depends on the Wireless MCU I choose.

0 Isabella Mariz over 1 year ago in reply to Toby

Prodigy 10 points

I found the lauchpad development kit for the CC2652R: https://www.ti.com/tool/LAUNCHXL-CC26X2R1

Do we know if it is communication compatible with the MSP430FR5994, via some interface, for example, using SPI?

0 Keith Barkley over 1 year ago in reply to Isabella Mariz

Guru 42195 points

Sure, SPI, UART, I2C...

The CC2652R has a 48MHz ARM, it can do whatever you want. It is arguably more computing horsepower than the MSP430.

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MSP-EXP430FR5994: How to I transmit data using wireless communication?