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Easiest way to implement an RS232 to digital serial input

SBurr10252
Prodigy 50 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP430FG4618, MSP430F2013

Hi, I need to take a serial digital signal from a comparator and count it vs a clock, then output the value counted to a computer on an RS232 port. I am looking at using  a texas insturments chip to do the job. I have worked with PIC's before but have found them hard to use because of the dev tools, getting the debugger to work, memory ect. I have a few questions...

1.What would be the cheapest solution as far as dev/evaluation boards go and what would I need to get started? What is the best processor to use?

2. Could anyone that has worked with pics give me a comparison to TI"s dev tools and Microchips and the differences between the two.

3. How much time would it take to get this implemented? (I know c and have worked with micro controllers before, however some of the subtleties with the dev tools can be hard to figure out)

 

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 24390 points

    Hi,

    We actually have an experimenter's board with a RS232 connection made on-board with the MSP430FG4618: http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/msp-exp430fg4618.html 

    However, you don't necessarily need to use the FG4618, you can use any device that has a hardware USART or USCI module: http://www-s.ti.com/sc/techlit/slab034.pdf

    Any UART example can be found at www.ti.com/msp430codeexamples which can be a turn-key solution depending on the baud rate you need.

    Finally, to program the EVM you will need a FET. Our popular one is the FET430UIF: http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/msp-fet430uif.html

    Hope that helps!

  • 0
    TI__Expert 4420 points

    SBurr said:
    2. Could anyone that has worked with pics give me a comparison to TI"s dev tools and Microchips and the differences between the two.

    one of the biggest differences between the PIC and MSP430 tools is that MSP430 only has 1 real programming interface.  the PICs use several different types of ICEs depending on the family you're using, the features you need, and how much you're willing to pay. 

    the MSP430 FET is the only programming and debugging interface you'll need for all MSP430s and you'll get some high end features like in-system programming, multiple hardware breakpoints, or trace capability it.  the debugging features available will depend on the device selected as larger devices will have more bells and whistles in its  embedded emulation module (EEM).  the EEM is built into all MSP430s and is what enables the ease-of-use when debugging

    SBurr said:
    1.What would be the cheapest solution as far as dev/evaluation boards go and what would I need to get started? What is the best processor to use?

    if you picked up an EXP430FG4618 + FET and used the sample code for the board, you'd have everything set up in a couple minutes. 

    as far as what the best processor is: that depends on your application requirements.  the MSP430F5438 is a great device and has its own experimenter board available too.  the only reason why i didn't recommend that earlier is because that board doesn't have an RS232 port on it - it was replaced with USB.

  • 0
    Guru 58965 points

    If you are not sure about MSP430 and do not want to spend much $ yet. I suggest that you try your hands on eZ430-F2013 first. It cost $20 and include both the hardware/software tools and a MSP430F2013 chip on a detachable "target board". You need a Windows PC with USB port. The hardware/software tools use USB to interface to the PC. The kit  does not include RS232 interface, but you can use the "debugger" (part of the tool) to look at the results on the PC. MSP430F2013 has on-chip timer, 16-bit ADC and operation aplifies. One of the ten available I/O pins drives an on-board LED. You can use all the other 9 I/O pins the way you want. The "taget boad" has solder pads for all the I/O pins.

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