MSP430FLASHER: Retaining data in RAM even after erasing all data

Needhu Gunasegaran

Part Number: MSP430FLASHER
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP430F6747A

Hello Team,

Could you please answer the question from my customer.

Currently we are have some problems using the MSP430 Flasher CLI-Tool. Despite using the -e ERASE_ALL command line parameter, we see that our program is still able to retrieve valid data from the info sections. Even the option ERASE_TOTAL does not help us getting all the data wiped off the chip.

This is making us wondering if the mspflasher tool is writing the data to the chip as properly as it makes us believe by saying so...

The MSP430Flasher Version used is 1.3.14

Thanks,

Needhu

over 9 years ago

0 Needhu Gunasegaran over 9 years ago

TI__Intellectual 2900 points

Team,

Have an Update on the issue.

We found the reason why we thought the MSP430Flasher wasn't behaving as expected.

One was the incorrectly documented command line option "-u", which is allowing us to erase the info section A. The documentation states, according to my colleague, that this switch allows for the BSL to be deleted. We believe in a copy'n'paste error when writing the doc.

Also our software found valid data in the RAM, which was still there when the processor was powered up.

We still be observing this issue here for now.

Thank you. Looking forward to hear from you.

Best,

Needhu

0 James Evans over 9 years ago in reply to Needhu Gunasegaran

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hello Needhu,

Which MSP430 device is the customer using? Please provide the specific part number.

Also, keep in mind that INFO memory in Flash memory is different than the RAM memory. Typically, the INFO memory in Flash contains vital TLV data that's used for DCO calibration and is specific to each device.

Which document are they referring to? Looking at the MSP Flasher User's Guide, I found where the "-u" flag will unlock the INFOA memory but the area containing the TLV values may still be protected. We can confirm this when we learn the part number of the device.

Regards,

James

MSP Customer Applications

0 Needhu Gunasegaran over 9 years ago in reply to James Evans

TI__Intellectual 2900 points

Hi James,

Thank you very much for your reply.

The MSP device they are using is MSP430F6747A.

Thanks and Best regards,
Needhu

0 James Evans over 9 years ago in reply to Needhu Gunasegaran

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hello Needhu,

Thank you for providing the specific part number. Looking at the datasheet, Table 6-9 shows that the TLV data is stored in a separate area of Flash memory, not in the INFOx sections.

When they execute the command to erase all Flash memory sections (except the Device Descriptor which contains the TLV data), can they read out the memory and share the file/results?

With regards to incorrect documentation, I don't see anything that seems to be wrong in the MSP Flasher User's Guide, unless I'm missing something. The "-u" trigger only allows the INFOA memory section to be erased, but it doesn't actually erase this section. The "-b" trigger unlocks the BSL memory section.

Lastly, there's a JTAG-related errata for the MSP430F6747A that may be related here.

Regards,

James

MSP Customer Applications

0 Needhu Gunasegaran over 9 years ago in reply to James Evans

TI__Intellectual 2900 points

James,

Thank you for the information. I will get back to ASAP.

Thanks,

Needhu

0 James Evans over 8 years ago in reply to Needhu Gunasegaran

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hello Needhu,

Has this issue been resolved?

Regards,

James

MSP Customer Applications

0 Needhu Gunasegaran over 8 years ago in reply to James Evans

TI__Intellectual 2900 points

James.

Thank you very much for your support. Yes, the customer solved it.

Thanks,
Needhu

0 James Evans over 8 years ago in reply to Needhu Gunasegaran

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Excellent! Thanks for letting us know. I'm sure this will help other community members who may have the same question.

Regards,

James

MSP Customer Applications

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MSP430FLASHER: Retaining data in RAM even after erasing all data