MSP 430 with Zigbee

Hey Ryan,

All of the compilers I've seen that support MSP430 have been C compilers (including IAR Embedded Workbench for MSP430). I believe that the zigbee software libraries we provide are compiled for IAR Embedded Workbench with future devices planned to migrate to our CCS IDE. One thing to note is that you may run into some licensing issues with IAR because it is not free. You may also be able to get a student license I'm not quite sure if that is an option.

For Zigbee we offer two general solutions combination of an MCU (such as MSP430) + CC2520. CC2520 is a zigbee tranceiver. We also offer an integrated solution in the CC2530 which is an SoC, meaning it has an 8051 core plus a zigbee transceiver.

I would start by checking out our Zigbee stack offering http://www.ti.com/tool/z-stack. Some releases support CC2530 and some support CC2520 + MSP430. These downloads provide you with example projects and documentation (user's guides and SW guides etc.)

-Matt

Does the Z-stack use have to use a co-processor? 

You do not need a coprocessor if you use the CC253x family of devices. They have an integrated 8051 core that runs both the zigbee stack and application code.

Thank you for your help. One last question; what is the price for the CC2530 and the CC2520? I want to make sure that it fits within our budget and it difficult to find a price quote on them.

Yeah looking up pricing for the actual chip will take you down a rabbit hole. I'm assuming you are looking for a development board type of solution. We have evaluation module pairs for all of the CC parts:

CC2520 EMs: http://www.ti.com/tool/cc2520emk

CC2530 EMs: http://www.ti.com/tool/cc2530emk

Normally you would need some type of host board to plug these into. The host board gives you some peripherals (LCD, buttons, etc.) along with JTAG headers for programming. In the case of the host board for the CC2520 it includes an MSP430 on the host board. You can find links to these boards on the above links but they can be pricey. You might check out an MSP430 launchpad solution plus EM adapter booster pack:

http://www.ti.com/ww/en/launchpad/launchpads-msp430.html

http://www.ti.com/tool/boost-ccemadapter

-Matt

Matthew Kracht said:

All of the compilers I've seen that support MSP430 have been C compilers

Ryan Dufrene said:

Does the Z-stack use have to use a co-processor? 

So in some more research I ran across a few more questions.

Can the CC2530 and the CC2520 with the MSP 430 communicate to each other?

Can the CC2530 or the CC2520 connect to other processor such as a raspberry pi?

Does Ti have a MCU that is similar in processing capabilities as the raspberry pi and will it work with the CC2520 or CC2530?

The CC2520 receives command instructions via SPI. CC253x can support UART, SPI, and USB. For the CC253x you can check out this document here which will discuss more in depth about using the device as a network process (meaning that your application resides on your MCU) http://www.ti.com/lit/wp/slyy022/slyy022.pdf.

These devices can connect to any host processor as long as it also has supported interface. I don't believe you need a special driver to communicate with the device. You should be able to send the zigbee network processor commands directly to the serial driverse in Linux.

TI does have development platforms in the ball park of the raspberry pi. Check out our beagle bone kits which use the am335x processor (http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone%20Black). I won't give a huge marketing spiel but if you don't need HD video then the devices are very similiar. It will work with the CC2520/30 the same as the raspberrypi via the linux serial drivers.

-Matt

Thank you very much this is all very helpful. The last thing that I would like to ask is when using the EM Adapter BoosterPack with the launchpad will we be able to use an MSP430 with one device then a C2000 Launchpad for another both using the EM Adapter BoosterPack and communicate effectively? As well will the EM Adapter BoosterPack be able to connect to the BeagleBone? 

The EM adapter will work across the MSP430/C2000/TivaC launch pads.

For the beagle bone they used to make an RF cape which was very similar to the EM adapter but it looks like they've discontinued it (http://elinux.org/CircuitCo:BeagleBone_RF). I don't think there is a really nice way to connect an EM to the beagle bone anymore. Your best best may be to use the EM adapater so you can get the pinouts of CC2520/30 and then use jumpers to connect the appropriate pins from the adapter to the beagle bone.

-Matt

So if we a setup where an EM adapter communicates to another EM adapter which then sends the data a CC2520 which is connected to the Beagle Bone that should work? 

Not sure about the set up you are describing. The EM adapter doesn't actually have any processing components so it doesn't technically communicate. It's just a convenient way to connect the CC2520/30 with the MCU.

For the MCU side of your Zigbee link it would be: MCU Launchpad <--> EM Adapter Booster Pack <--> CC2520/30

The Bealgebone: BB <--(Jumpers) --> EM adapter booster pack <--> CC2520/30

On the MCU side you can just plug everything together and it should work. The BeagleBone you will have to use jumpers between the BB and the booster pack since the EM adapter booster pack is not meant to be compatible with the BeagleBone.

-Matt

Ok so just to verify the following set up will work:

Analog Sensor connected to a MSP430 Launchpad with EM adapter using a CC2520  

Sends data to

Trivia C Launchpad with EM adapter using a CC2520  

Sends data to

EM adapter using a  CC2520

which is hardwared to 

BengalBone

Thanks for the help. one last question, is there a survey i can take or a way I can tell your boss you deserve a promotion for putting up with me? You have been a serious help.

Hahaha you are welcome and I appreciate the feedback.

If we had a survey I would also have to give to all of the those out there who weren't as happy and my soul wouldn't be able to handle that :)