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MSP430 TCP IP socket programming

Harry
Expert 2920 points


Is there a TCP IP header for MSP430 Microcontrollers? I haven't really decided on a specific microcontroller yet and feel free to recommend me one if you can.

the purpose is to learn how to send a couple of bytes of data through the internet to another server PC which listening onto a port.

A guidance would be so much appreciated.

I am much interested in knowing the software TI has already provided to do such things. 

thanks.

  • 0
    Guru 227245 points

    The MSP isn't really suited for driving a network controller. However, I remember reading about a TCP/IP stack in conjunction with a network controller that can be accessed using SPI. You should be able to locate this info using the forum search function.

  • 0 in reply to Jens-Michael Gross
    Expert 2920 points

    thank you jens for your reply. it clearly answers my question.

    I have another.

    I do not want to communicate over SPI and add another IC. its costly and a little messy too.

    I bought a TI LM4F120H5QR development board. May be I can use that. or a similar ARM COrtex M4 that has Ethernet. 

    I only know MSP430 and Cortex 4 so, I think im going to settle for the Cortex M4. the TIVA series is also better. 

    Either way, I do not have enough knowledge to implement the TCP IP stack my self and I understand its very time consuming.

    Could you please recommend me how  to include TCP IP to my project easily?

    is there a header in Stellarisware/TIVAware? 

    if not, is there a special header file I need to download?

    thanks.

  • 0 in reply to Harry
    Expert 2920 points

    p.s. all I need to do is to send some packets of data to a remote server (IP known) thats listening in a port. through the internet of course:-)

  • 0 in reply to Harry
    Guru 227245 points

    Amalinda said:
    I do not want to communicate over SPI and add another IC. its costly and a little messy too.

    Since the MSP has no internal physical layer for networking, you'll have to add a network controller anyway. The ENC28J60 is a small footprint standalone network controller which takes and delivers the packets from the IP stack through SPI.
    You'll have to access the controller hardware anyway, so it doesn't make much difference whether it is direct memory access or through SPI. (Most MSPs have internal SPI, up to 3MB/s throughput)

    Amalinda said:
    is there a header in Stellarisware/TIVAware? 

    Headers alone won't help. The network controller just handles the physical data transfer, (usually) including MAC addressing, but not the IP or TCP layers. So you'll need a TCP/IP software stack (rather large chunk of code) and not just a header.

  • 0 in reply to Harry
    Guru 23000 points

    Have a look here: http://www.ti.com/tool/ti-rtos

  • 0 in reply to Jens-Michael Gross
    Expert 2920 points

    thank you all for your replies.

    I understand what you meant. It sounds like a feasible solution. 

    But I would like to know properly my other option too. i.e wit regard to the Tiva Series microcontroler. Is there a TCP Stack for Tiva Series microcontroelrs? Or is it in Tivaware it self? In that case how do I really include that into my application?

    I need to send a simple packet of data to a remote servers port.  

    It would be interesting for me to know how it can be done using TIs ARM Cortex M4s. more specifically using Tiva series.

    I think there is a long learning curve for TI RTOS. in which case I dont want to try it right now.. but thanks for that option. 

  • 0 in reply to Harry
    Guru 46710 points

    Amalinda said:
    I think there is a long learning curve for TI RTOS. in which case I dont want to try it right now.. but thanks for that option. 

    Learning TCP/IP (stack) needs some learning (curve) too. If you want to avoid learning (curves) then better consider something like this:

    http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone

  • 0 in reply to Harry
    Guru 227245 points

    Amalinda said:
    But I would like to know properly my other option too. i.e wit regard to the Tiva Series microcontroler.

    Sorry, my experience is limited to the MSP430 series (and a few others I used in the past). The Tiva, as well as Stellaris or others aren't amongst them.

  • 0 in reply to Jens-Michael Gross
    Expert 2920 points

    its okay. thanks everyone for your responses!

  • 0 in reply to Jens-Michael Gross
    Expert 2920 points

    Dear Jens,

    what do you think about this hardware Ethernet Controler by TI?  could I fix it to MSP430?

    http://www.ti.com/product/tlk110

  • 0 in reply to Harry
    Expert 2920 points

    or any other manufactured by TI?

  • 0 in reply to Harry
    Guru 46710 points

    No! You can't use PHY having MII interface with CPU that does not have MII (together with MAC controller).

    Why do you people try to use msp430 for tasks that is way too over it's capabilities? Ethernet is not kid's game, especially if you plug your device in crowded Ethernet segment like those in corporate networks. Some low-end ARMs are struggling to do everything in time, not to mention wristwatch and desktop calculator processors like msp430 (ok, slight exaggregation, but hopefully you get the point) .

  • 0 in reply to Ilmars
    Guru 227245 points

    Ilmars said:
    Why do you people try to use msp430 for tasks that is way too over it's capabilities?

    We run our access point on an ATMega with 14MHz system clock. It has a good old RTL8019 attached. Well, the direct memory interface makes getting and setting data easier and faster, but on the bottom line, an MSP with a few more kB of ram and flash should be able to handle it. Of course only a 10Mbit connection, half duplex, but for simply putting some sensor data into the network, or handling a telnet connection for configuring the device, that's fine.

  • 0 in reply to Jens-Michael Gross
    Expert 2920 points

    this link can help someone.

    http://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/tiva_arm/f/908/p/300061/1046077.aspx

    http://lwip.wikia.com/wiki/LwIP_Wiki

    http://www.cyantechnology.com/public/AN057uIPV1_0TCP-IPStackforeCOG1kandeCOG1X.pdf

     it talk of implementing the same TCP IP stack using simple C. May be it can be modified to be used for MSP430. But im not sure.

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