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DIY Programmer?

Robert Åkerblom-Andersson
Intellectual 550 points

Hi, I'm totaly new to TI and the MSP430's. Before I have used PIC microcontroller but I'd like to try out MSP430 becuase it look's nice and becuase of TI's wide rage products, I'd like to use components from as few manufactures as possible for my projects.

I'm thinking of buying the MSP-FET430UIF (http://se.farnell.com/jsp/level5/module.jsp?moduleId=en/486072.xml) but since I think it is always fun to build stuff my self I wondered if there is some DIY programmer or simular in the community that you can recommend? Or would the recommadation be to just buy the programmer?

Regards, Robert

  • 0
    Guru 58965 points

    It depends on why you want to DIY.

    There are a few third parties that make programmers for MSP430 already. Some of them are more expensive than TI’s. Some are cheaper. When there is a new version of Windows, a new version of development tools (PC software), or a new version of MSP430 chip, all these programmers have problems.

    If you want to have fun facing these challenges, go DIY.

    If you want to save money, buy OLIMAX.

    If you want performance, buy ELPROTRONIC.

    If you want community support, buy TI.

  • 0 in reply to old_cow_yellow
    Intellectual 550 points

    Okey thanks for a good anwser! :)

  • 0 in reply to Robert Åkerblom-Andersson
    Expert 1710 points

    I believe that some of the MSP430 chips (probably especially the newer and more highly integrated ones) have a BSL BootStrapLoader in their memory which is capable of loading program code over various I/O ports such as a serial port if your hardware board supports these configurations.

    That would be the simplest DIY programmer for chips and boards that support this function.

    TI ought to document the operation of the programming / debug port on the chips so that any needed external hardware / software could be made to interface with the chip and perform any kinds of tests / diagnostics / programming as may be desired.  Maybe there is some documentation for some of the chips, though I don't seem to recall seeing the details on at least few of them.

     

     

  • 0 in reply to Robert Åkerblom-Andersson
    Expert 1655 points

    Hi,

    yes, it would be fun to build the stuff yourself, but I think US$99 isn't that much money for have 'fun out off the box'.

    Rgds
    G**kbuster 

  • 0 in reply to C. Hayes
    Guru 58965 points

    C. Hayes said:

    I believe that some of the MSP430 chips (probably especially the newer and more highly integrated ones) have a BSL BootStrapLoader in their memory which is capable of loading program code over various I/O ports such as a serial port if your hardware board supports these configurations.

    That would be the simplest DIY programmer for chips and boards that support this function.

    TI ought to document the operation of the programming / debug port on the chips so that any needed external hardware / software could be made to interface with the chip and perform any kinds of tests / diagnostics / programming as may be desired.  Maybe there is some documentation for some of the chips, though I don't seem to recall seeing the details on at least few of them.

    You are right. With the only acception of MSP430F20xx, all other Flash based MSP430F* chip have BSL function built-in. Both BSL and JTAG programming are well documented in MSP430 Memory Programming User's Guide (Rev. C) (this is a pdf file). Related software examples are included in a related zip file.

  • 0 in reply to old_cow_yellow
    Prodigy 200 points

    That's OLIMEX, not OLIMAX.

    or www.olimex.com

     

  • 0 in reply to old_cow_yellow
    Intellectual 550 points

    Okey, sounds interesting! But I think maybe I go for an TI usbprogrammer anyway so I can get started faster... I'm thinking of some kit with programmer and an prototype board but not sure which one yet... [:)]

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