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How to make a home-made MSP430 programmer?

Sunglin Chen
Expert 2335 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MAX3243, MSP430F2121

Dear Friends,

I know that MSP430 programmers could be purchased from TI eStore or some distributors, but I want to make a low cost MSP430 programmer for some beginners who may only want to try some simple test or download firmware. Does anyone have schematic or design example for this request? Thank you.

 

  • 0
    Guru 46710 points

    Here you go:

    https://www.olimex.com/Products/MSP430/JTAG/MSP430-JTAG/resources/MSP430-JTAG-D-sch.gif

    Well.. I would like to see how you can beat the price of LaunchPad :)

  • 0 in reply to Ilmars
    Expert 2335 points

    Hi Ilmas,

    Thank you, does it have usb or rs232 version?

  • 0 in reply to Sunglin Chen
    Guru 46710 points

    Unfortunately there's no known to me rs232 programmer for msp430. Thou I know one low cost USB programmer: LaunchPad :)

    Look - unless you build parallel port programmer and use with oldskool computers that have such (Centronics LPT port) or you buy LaunchPad. There's no lower possible cost programmer for msp430. Live with that.

    [edit] I am afraid that LPT programmer does not support SBW mode so most probably you will be limited to chips that supports 4-wire JTAG

  • 0 in reply to Ilmars
    Expert 2335 points

    Hi Ilmars,

    Thank you for your advice. 

  • 0 in reply to Sunglin Chen
    Expert 2335 points

    Hi Friends,

    Here is the details data sheet of MSP430 programmer.

    http://www.ti.com/lit/ug/slau320l/slau320l.pdf

     

  • 0 in reply to Sunglin Chen
    Guru 34453 points

    For downloading firmware (without debugging) can be used BSL, and there are USB-UART bridge boards on ebay for less than 10$ (just put on ebay search MSP430 BSL). It should work with MSP430x2xx family, but not sure about MSP430F5xx (if the USB-UART bridge is fast enough for BSL entry sequence).

    There was no other documents than slau320 for TI JTAG description, and I use it as starting point for my flasher.

    Today, regarding TI JTAG code, there is better source of information,  slac460 MSP430DLL.

    http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MSPDS_Open_Source_Package

    BTW, first version of my SBW MSP430x2xx flasher (at that time TI LP was not existing) was based on MSP430F2121 and MAX3243 packed inside DB9 connector. SBW firmware (based on slau320) for MSP430F2121 was updated by BSL (without extra hardware).

  • 0 in reply to zrno soli
    Expert 2335 points

    Hi Zrno,

    That's what I need. I'll make a duplicate one according to your circuit.  Thank you very much. 

  • 0 in reply to Sunglin Chen
    Guru 34453 points

    Sunglin Chen said:

    Hi Zrno,

    That's what I need. I'll make a duplicate one according to your circuit.  Thank you very much. 

    Unfortunately, it is not that simple. This was my customized version, with my own BSL(slau319 based) and SBW (slau320 based) software. Original TI software (slau319 and slau320) is not compatible with my circuit.
    .
    If you just want to update firmware of target device (BSL), using original TI software, and cheap USB-UART bridge boards, ebay have it. If you have a large amount of free time and want to learn TI flashing related staff, and do it all (hardware and software) by yourself, no problem, go for it.
    .
    Here you can see my BSL flasher...
    .
    This was not last version. When COM port on PC side is closed, MAX chip will have RESET/TEST lines high. This is OK for RESET, but not for TEST pin. I wanted to use it as ISCP tool, to be able to flash/run target without disconnecting from PC, so I put one inverter (1G00) for TEST pin. In the last version inverter was not used. Sleep mode for MAX chip was enabled (FON/FOFF), so without data transfer MAX chip will go to standby with putting RESET/TEST lines in high impedance state.
    .
    I done all of this, when TI LP was not on market, and original TI solutions (slau319 / slau320) had too complicated hardware for my taste. And yes, at that time I had a huge amount of free time to spare. Later TI published LP for $4.30 (shipping included).
    .
    Anyway, I use this knowledge (TI JTAG)  for developing more serious thing, like TI / Elprotronic Gang solution, but much faster...
  • 0 in reply to zrno soli
    Expert 2335 points

    Hi Zrno,

    You got that right. I could buy one from eBay, but I hope to learn more details of TI flashing related staff, therefore, I will try to do it by myself.  Your posts do provide very useful information to me. Thank you again.

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