CCS/MSP-EXP430G2: Demo application: No data received through UART

Henri Montjoie

Part Number: MSP-EXP430G2

Tool/software: Code Composer Studio

I just got a MSP-EXP430G2 LaunchPad and tried to run the demo application (internal temperature measurement).

The code compiles and, as expected, the demo starts with blinking LEDs, and pushing the button starts temperature measurement, with red/green LED lighting up if the temperature rises/fall. However, the temperature data is supposed to be also transmitted via UART but I don't seem to receive anything.

I first tried to launch the GUI that comes with the demo, but at first I had an error messsge "Can't find file javaw.exe", so I downloaded Java. In a way it worked: I don't get an error message anymore, as strictly nothing happens when I try to launch the GUI.

After this, I downloaded Hyperterminal as most people found online seem to use it. When I plug the MSP, the port COM3 appears (it is the only available COM port anyway), so I started the communication with it with parameters 9600/8/1/N/N. I received nothing. I changed a few parameters (baud rate to 2400 or 4800, flow control XON/XOFF) with no effects.

I did not give up and tried to use PuTTY instead, with no more success. I should also mention that each time I tried with the TXD/RXD jumpers in vertical position, then in horizontal position.

I can't figure out what I am doing wrong....

over 7 years ago

0 James Evans over 7 years ago

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hello Henri,

Thank you for your detailed post. In the MSP-EXP430G2 LaunchPad Evaluation Kit User's Guide, I found where this demo application requires the serial communication port on the PC to be configured with 2400 bps, one stop bit, and no flow control to display the values correctly.

Here are some other resources that may be helpful as you continue debugging the issue.

Regards,

James

MSP Customer Applications

0 Henri Montjoie over 7 years ago in reply to James Evans

Prodigy 40 points

Thanks for the ressources, but they don't really help me for the moment. When I say nothing happens when i launch the GUI I really mean nothing. No window opens to ask me which COM port my MSP is connected to. And bad serial port settings should result in a jumble of weird characters, not the absence of any data I get.

Moreover, today I tried a really simple piece of code a friend of mine wrote that just writes back in Tx what comes into Rx and got nothing either. That is, using my laptop, because using his, it did work. So the problem seems to be specific to my computer. I uninstalled the "usbser.sys" driver, it reinstalled automatically when I plugged back the LaunchPad and made no difference.

I am using Windows 10 64-bits, nothing unusual (I do have a weird problem since the last Windows update 2 months ago, my GPU is not working anymore, and trying to reinstall its drivers leads to a blue screen. I don't see how the two could be linked, but I am not far from thinking my PC is somehow cursed)

0 James Evans over 7 years ago in reply to Henri Montjoie

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hello,

Henri Montjoie said:
Moreover, today I tried a really simple piece of code a friend of mine wrote that just writes back in Tx what comes into Rx and got nothing either. That is, using my laptop, because using his, it did work. So the problem seems to be specific to my computer. I uninstalled the "usbser.sys" driver, it reinstalled automatically when I plugged back the LaunchPad and made no difference.

Excellent debugging! It does sound like it's an issue related to your PC. Could you try AdrianFer's instructions from this thread?

Let's try to figure this out together! I'll go ahead and list off the steps that I follow to get the GUI to work on my PC.

Install the latest version of CCS or IAR - this will ensure the latest LaunchPad drivers are installed in your PC.

As OCY mentioned, we do not need to have CCS or IAR open to run the GUI, simply to install the drivers

Once the drivers are installed, we can plug in our LaunchPad via USB

Navigate to your Device Manager to see which COM port your LaunchPad is connected to.

Next, download and extract the GUI that Dung provided in a previous reply:

8308.LaunchPad_Temp_GUI.zip

Now you can run the GUI's windows executable file

The GUI will display the connected COM ports, one of which is the COM port that our LaunchPad is connected to.

Type in the index number that the LaunchPad is of your list - it typically is the last item.

Then press [ENTER]

Now, the GUI is waiting for data from the LaunchPad. To start reading temperature data and sending data to your PC, press switch P1.3

At this point, the GUI should start displaying your instantaneous temperature.

Hope this helps! A lot of the times, people forget to press P1.3 to leave the "standby LED toggle" mode and enter the "temperature sensing" mode to start communicating with a PC.

Regards,

James

MSP Customer Applications

0 Henri Montjoie over 7 years ago in reply to James Evans

Prodigy 40 points

Hello again,

I disabled Avast, reinstalled CCS and Java and downloaded the provided GUI. Nothing happens when I try to open it. In the Task Manager I can see javaw.exe is running, but nothing happens.

Checking the dates, the GUI provided online is from 2014 so maybe I should downgrade Java to the 2014 version. But I am afraid the GUI not launching and not receiving anything when trying with PuTTY/hyperterminal are two different issues.

Thank you for your help, and if I find a solution I will post it.

Henri

0 Henri Montjoie over 7 years ago in reply to Henri Montjoie

Prodigy 40 points

Update : I bought a CP2102 USB-to-UART bridge on Amazon for 6 pounds. My problem is solved, and the cause of the issue will remain a mystery.

0 James Evans over 7 years ago in reply to Henri Montjoie

TI__Mastermind 49692 points

Hello Henri,

Thanks for the update! I've experienced some issues with various adapters in the past when using them with other reference designs. I'm glad everything is working now, and I'm sure that your post will help others in the community facing the same issue. I'll go ahead and mark the thread as resolved.

Regards,

James

MSP Customer Applications

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CCS/MSP-EXP430G2: Demo application: No data received through UART