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MSP-FET430UIF Communication Error

Warner Krause
Prodigy 60 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP430F149

I am running into a problem trying to program an MSP430F149 (on an Olimex MSP430-EasyWeb-3 development board) using the MSP-FET430UIF in IAR Embedded Workbench v4.21. I get a "Communication error. Check if hardware is connected. Check if debug protocol (SBW or 4-wire) is correct."

I have already gone through each step on the TI MSP-FET430UIF Wiki and done everything as described and I'm receiving the same error on multiple PCs. Everything should be correct in project options, as well. The driver is set as "FET Debugger," The connection is "Texas Instrument USB-IF," with debug protocol being 4-wire JTAG (this is indeed what I'm using), the correct device is selected (MSP430F149), etc.

I simply cannot figure out what is wrong. Any input would be much appreciated.

  • 0
    Intellectual 420 points

    Try disconnecting the FET and deleting it in Windows device manager, then plug in again to force a reinstall of the driver (this helped me). Well, try a second USB Cable if you have one, just in case. 

  • 0 in reply to Stephan Goldenberg
    Expert 1620 points

    Many other users and I have the same problem often too.  TI will install drivers and dlls "automatically". But some times it automatically does not work.

  • 0 in reply to Stephan Goldenberg
    Prodigy 60 points

    I deleted the device in device manager, but when I plugged it in again Windows couldn't find the right driver. I ended up uninstalling IAR Workbench and installing a newer version, which included the driver for the FET. I'm not able to tell if this solved the problem because I now have another problem. The debug protocol is set to Spy-Bi-Wire and it won't allow me to change it to 4-wire JTAG. The release notes mention that this option is now automatically detected, but it seems to be detecting incorrectly. This issue throws its own error when I try to debug, so I can't be sure if the other issue is still present (though I'd be surprised if it isn't).

    I also went ahead and manually downloaded and placed the newest MSP430.dll and HIL.dll in the directory, again to no avail.

    Could this be a hardware issue? Maybe I'm still overlooking something...

  • 0 in reply to Warner Krause
    Expert 1620 points

    I will be very scared if I step into a new car that is fully automatic and cannot find steering wheel or a break peddle.

  • 0 in reply to Warner Krause
    Intellectual 420 points

    I have a F149 too and it is detected ad 4 wire JTAG in IAR.

     

    So, last Idea: Is there an USB hub involved ? If so, try connecting the FET directly to the PC.

    (well, mine does work via HUB but you never know...)

  • 0
    Guru 227245 points

    Some people have reported success after changing the USB cable.

    It looks like the supplied USB cables are not always of the best quality - or sometimes damaged by the packing process, or whatever.

  • 0 in reply to Jens-Michael Gross
    Prodigy 60 points

    Okay, this is slightly embarrassing, but despite conflicting information from multiple sources, the Olimex EasyWeb3 does indeed require 6-9VDC from an external power source in order to program the MSP430. I thought the 3.3V supplied directly to the MSP430 via JTAG was enough, but apparently not. I figured I'd give an update for completeness. Thanks for all your suggestions!

  • 0 in reply to Stephan Goldenberg
    Intellectual 470 points

    For what it's worth, my problems all but went away when I replaced the USB 2.0 hub with a USB 1.0 hub from my junk box. I still have trouble, but not nearly as often.  Has anyone else tried the slower 1.0 USB?

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