MSP430F6777: Flash multiple bank capability

Chrisjs

Part Number: MSP430F6777
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP430F6779

Hi,

I am evaluating MSP430F6777IPZ for our metering application. I have seen two flash banks available each of 128KB of size. We need to store the metering data in every 5 minute. Is it possible to use any one of the bank to store the metering data dynamically. Is it possible to write or read data from bank2 while the code is executing from the bank1. Is there any limitation for using the flash banks?

Is it support RS-485 2-wire half-duplex transmission interfacing, I have seen a few UARTs available in the data sheets

Also, is there a metering API library available for MSP430F6777IPZ. I have seen a few other chips having metering library supports

Thank you

over 8 years ago

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago

TI__Genius 14875 points

Hi Chris,
You sure can store data in flash. There's a simple example in the following thread, as well as links to more examples.
e2e.ti.com/.../38565.

You can do a bank erase, while code is executing in the other bank, but nothing else. See section 7.3 www.ti.com/.../slau208p.pdf

The only limitations I can think of are: you'll want to modify your linker file to ensure your code is stored in a the designated bank. Let me know if you need guidance on this, and whether you're using IAR or CCS. Also flash has limited number of r/w cycles (as do other types), Min is 10,000 but can usually achieve 100,000. For more information on flash, see: www.ti.com/.../slaa334a.pdf

As far as RS-485, it can be done, but would require a data converter.

We do have a metering library available, called EnergyLib. Check out the following TI-Design, and the accompanying software package. It should demostrate how to build it for the F6779(A).
www.ti.com/.../TIDM-3PHMTR-TAMP-ESD

Lastly, if you are considering the F6779, I'd strongly recommend you use the F6779A, which is essentially the same device with a lot of the errata fixed. For a report of the differences see: www.ti.com/.../slaa666.pdf

Let me know if you have questions or need anything else :-)

0 Chrisjs over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

Intellectual 380 points

Thank you Cameron Lafollette for the valuable response.

Let me understand the details of the links you have given. By the way, if I want to write the data in every 5 minutes and if the maximum write cycle is specified as 100,000, will it be exhausted with in 347 (12 per hour * 24 per day) days ? I think I should reduce the frequency of writes , if it is not critical

Thank you

0 Chrisjs over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

Intellectual 380 points

Also, we may go with IAR which is not finalized. If we are using multiple banks feature, we may need to change the linker scripts. I would like to have a guidance for the same.

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago in reply to Chrisjs

TI__Genius 14875 points

Hi Chris,
Your calculation is sound. You could implement wear leveling. Jens-Michael Gross gives an example of this here: e2e.ti.com/.../378786.

That said, I'd HIGHLY suggest checking out our FRAM portfolio. It has a 10^15 write endurance (9.5 billion years), writes faster, lower power, and a plethora of other advantages. Check out this link for a detailed description on FRAM www.ti.com/.../what_is_fram.page

Take a look at this one with 256KB FRAM and LEA (performs signal processing operations 40x faster than Arm Cortex-m0) www.ti.com/.../MSP430FR5994

If that doesn't do it for you, let me know what you find most attractive about the F6667 and I'll see what I can find. If those are details you'd rather not divulge publicly, feel free to PM me.

As far as linkers go, take a peek at this wiki page of ours that explains how to store variables in specific memory locations: processors.wiki.ti.com/.../Placing_Variables_in_Specific_Memory_Location_-_MSP430

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

TI__Genius 14875 points

Actually, I made a mistake in my calculation... on FRAM reads are destructive as well, so it would be closer to 30 years! Still very good longevity.

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

TI__Genius 14875 points

Hey Chris,
I just wanted to check to see how things were going here? Let me know if ther is anything else you need!

0 Chrisjs over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

Intellectual 380 points

Thank you Cameron LaFollette ,

Sorry for the late response , we were evaluating the requirements with F6667. Using external FRAM may be adequate for us as it is having 10^15 write cycles. As we are trying for energy metering applications F6667 is preferring. Can you suggest FRAM chips which is able to be interfaced with F6667 (preferable size will be less than 64 KB)

Thank you

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago in reply to Chrisjs

TI__Genius 14875 points

Hi Chris,
That depends, what is the minimum memory size you need? We have 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64+KB sizes. Also, what comms resources will you have left on the F6667.

I'm including a parametric search that lists our FRAM chips under 64KB by ascending price. www.ti.com/.../products.page

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

TI__Genius 14875 points

Chris,
Is there anything else I can do for you regarding this issue?

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

TI__Genius 14875 points

Hi Chris,
I'm going to close this thread.Please let me know if you need anything else! :-)

0 Chrisjs over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

Intellectual 380 points

Dear Cameron,

Thank you for the valuable support. We are going forward with this chip for our developments. Please support further if we are facing something wrong

Thank you

Chris

0 Chrisjs over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

Intellectual 380 points

Thank you Cameron Lafollette,

We are planning to go for this chip. Can you suggest a development kit for the same?

Is it able to test most of the MSP430F6777 functionalities (except metering ADC) with www.ti.com/.../MSP-EXP430F5529LP . we need to test some basic things before the real board bring up.

Thank you
Chris

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago in reply to Chrisjs

TI__Genius 14875 points

Hi Chris,
You could use this to get a general feel for MSP, but the best way to test it would be to use a target board since F5529 and F6777 have other differences such as the power system, RTC, and as you mentioned, ADC.

Here is a link to the target board. You will want to use MSP430F6779 (included). If moving forward with MSP430F6777, I would highly suggest using F6777A, as this is the newest version of this part that we have available and will have several enhancements over the older part.
www.ti.com/.../msp-ts430peu128

0 Cameron LaFollette over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

TI__Genius 14875 points

Hi Chris,
I'm going to close this issue for now. Please let me know if you need further assistance.

0 Chrisjs over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

Intellectual 380 points

Dear Cameron,

Thanks for the reply. As you suggested we prefer to use MSP430F6777AIPEU

0 Chrisjs over 8 years ago in reply to Cameron LaFollette

Intellectual 380 points

Dear Cameron,

Thank you for the support . If any more queries , I will add it as a separate thread

**Attention** This is a public forum

MSP low-power microcontrollers

MSP low-power microcontroller forum

MSP430F6777: Flash multiple bank capability