Lab 7: Getting Started with MSP430 LaunchPad - Serial Communication

1. You have no drivers installed. The COM port will not appear in the system. You might have install them manually. You will find .inf files at ...\ti\ccsv5\ccs_base\emulation\drivers\msp430

2. Use some external software: Termite, Putty etc. AFAIK you need to install terminal extension to Eclipse.

Regards,
Maciej 

Mr. MaciejKucia,

Thank you for your help. 

 The folder you direct me to in item 1. has several sub folders, and the following four have .inf files: USB_CDC, USB_eZ_RF, USB_FET_Win7_32, and USB_FET_Win7_64.  Do you know which .inf file or files to use for the MSP430 Launchpad?

Item 2. in your email is beyond the scope of my understanding.  (Truth be told, perhaps item 1 is also beyond my understanding.)

Thank you again,

Michael French

1. Use driver from folder that matches your operating system. You mentioned you are using Windows 7 but we do not know if it is x64. If you do not know too you can check this by right-clicking My Computer --> Properties. You will see basic information about your computer including System type under System list.

2. What I wanted to say is that you should use external software. For example http://www.compuphase.com/software_termite.htm. Everyone has his own favourite, there is plenty to choose from.

Regards,
Maciej 

Maciej,

Thanks again.

I have Windows 7 x64.

Only the folders that start with USB_FET have context implications for  x64 / x32 Windows 7 OS.  If I'm not mistaken, the MSP430 LaunchPad does not use the FET.

Thanks again,

Michael French

You are right but the FET driver will work :)  I have just checked to be sure.

ez430 emulator and USB FET are both working as composite device where one of the devices is virtual serial. Both use drivers provided by Microsoft. What manufacturer must provide is a simple .inf file.

ez430 emulator uses HID class for emulation. HID is supported natively under windows and require no additional "drivers".

Regards,
Maciej 

Maciej,

Thanks once again.  In hopes that this may be of help to someone, (& at the risk of showing how little I know) here is what I did.

1. I went to Device Manager, and right clicked on the MSP430 Application UART.  Note it is located under "Other devices", not Ports (COM & LPT), and it has the yellow circle at the icon. 
2.  Here, I selected "Update Driver Software", and selected the entry "Browse my computer for driver software".  I browsed to C:\ti\ccsv5\ccs_base\emulation\drivers\msp430\USB_FET_Win7_64.  The Include subfolders option is checked.
3. When I clicked NEXT, I received a message "Windows was unable to install your MSP430 Application UART."
4. In view of the highlighted entry above Include subfolders option is checked.   I decided to go up one level in the directory structure and click NEXT. 
5. The instalation appears to have successfully completed, and I now see that MSP430 Application UART is at Com29.

Well, thanks for all your help, and I will see if I can proceed with Lab7.

Best Regards,

Michael French