MSP432P401R: Upload code to MSP432 using UART

Otavio Augusto Gomes

Part Number: MSP432P401R

It is possible upload a code to MSP432 using the UART interface and an external USB/serial converter (like as FTDI based, for example)? I want to produce a custom board for mass production but I would not like to embed a programmer like as the XDS110-ET in my board or use an external and expensive programmer. My requirements are restricted to upload the code for flash memory of MSP432. No debugging capability are required. I've been choosing the right microcontroller for my application and MSP432 is suitable for that. But I need ensure that MSP432 may be programmed using a simple UART connection.

over 8 years ago

0 James Evans over 8 years ago

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Yes, you can use the MSP432's BSL over UART to accomplish this. See the following resources for more details.

Regards,

James

MSP Customer Applications

0 f. m. over 8 years ago

Guru 11940 points

You can check here if the internal bootloader is what you want.

0 Otavio Augusto Gomes over 8 years ago in reply to f. m.

Intellectual 940 points

f. m. said:

You can check here if the internal bootloader is what you want.

Hey, the link are not working.

0 f. m. over 8 years ago in reply to Otavio Augusto Gomes

Guru 11940 points

Otavio Augusto Gomes said:
Hey, the link are not working.

The "Insert/Edit Link" Buttons seems a bit strange. At least I see the correct link with "mouse-over", i.e. the mouse hovering over the link.

Anyway, the full link would be: www.ti.com/lit/pdf/slau622

0 Otavio Augusto Gomes over 8 years ago in reply to James Evans

Intellectual 940 points

In my understanding , a simple USB/Serial converter is not enough itself, because it is necessary a special circuitry to apply a proper signal to entry in BSL mode before. Is that correct?

0 f. m. over 8 years ago in reply to Otavio Augusto Gomes

Guru 11940 points

That is true for the factory-builtin ROM bootloader.
But you can design you bootloader as "usual" application, that gets started by a normal power up.
I can then check for an existing app at startup, run it, or wait for an update via Uart.
The disadvantage is, dealing with Flash erase/write becomes tricky, you cannot execute code from the Flash bank you are erasing/programming.
The MSP432 has two equal-sized banks, but that seems a waste to spend one whole bank for the bootloader.
You can run the Flash access code from RAM, but that can leave your device in an unusable state if an update fails. You would than have to fall back to the ROM bootloader.

0 Otavio Augusto Gomes over 8 years ago in reply to f. m.

Intellectual 940 points

My doubts have been clarified!

Thanks!

**Attention** This is a public forum

MSP low-power microcontrollers

MSP low-power microcontroller forum

MSP432P401R: Upload code to MSP432 using UART