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MSP-EXP430F5529LP: PGA460 USB2ANY Flashing Issue

Jon Buford
Prodigy 60 points

Part Number: MSP-EXP430F5529LP
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: USB2ANY, PGA460, PGA460-Q1, BOOSTXL-PGA460, UNIFLASH, ENERGIA

I have a client having trouble with getting the PGA460 GUI interface to run. The issue is when running the batch file to install the USB2Any interface on the MSP-EXP430F5529LP, the black bar that indicates it is underway appears, but it doesn't seem to be flashing and so never completes. 

They did try using some custom programming on the same board earlier, so it is not completely factory default. The device does show up on two COM ports in the device manager and the status LEDs on the USB interface show just solid green. I am guessing that the MCU itself is not ready to be flashed, so is there a way to force this? 

I did look at the documentation for the board, but it isn't exactly clear on this. Other than ending up driving the PGA460 and using the GUI program to run the batch file, this seems to be only an issue with the MSP-EXP430F5529LP at this moment. The client did try manually running the driver install batch file, and it looks like the system is seeing the board OK. 

Thanks for your help. 

Jon

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 28000 points
    Jon,

    Can you confirm if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Win10?

    The PGA460-Q1 EVM GUI is designed for Windows 7 and 10 64-bit OS systems by default. If you are using a 32-bit version of either OS, you can find a zipped package called "pga460_fw_installer_32bit.zip" in the install directory of the PGA460-Q1 EVM GUI.
    The default install directory path should be: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Texas Instruments\PGA460Q1EVM\PGA460Q1EVM-x.x.x.x"
    Unzip the contents into 32-bit OS install contents into the "MyDocuments\BOOSTXL-PGA460" folder, and run the one-time setup to install the LaunchPad drivers, and then use the PGA460 GUI to install the PGA460 firmware.

    If you are using a 64-bit version of the OS, can you save a copy of the Datalog result after running the firmware installer?

    An alternative means of installing the firmware is to use TI's free UniFlash software. You can use the online ( https://dev.ti.com/uniflash/ ) or offline ( www.ti.com/.../UNIFLASH ) version of UniFlash to program the MSP430 with the PGA460 "U2A_PGA46x.out" file found in the GUI's supporting install path: "C:\Users\<username>\Documents\BOOSTXL-PGA460\user_files\images".

    Also see the video "1.1 PGA460 ultrasonic sensing: How to set up and install the EVM" for additional help:
    training.ti.com/pga460-ultrasonic-sensing-how-set-and-install-evm
  • 0 in reply to Akeem Whitehead
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Akeem, 

    Thanks for your quick response! 

    Yes, 64-bit Windows. 

    The log file has a pretty specific error: Initializing Register Database... Initializing: MSP430error: MSP430: Error initializing emulator: MSP-FET430UIF is already in use

    The dialog just hangs at the black bar showing it may take a few minutes to flash. 

    Looking at the documentation, it isn't clear what to do in this situation. There is the BSL button, but I don't really see anything that explains how that helps to reset it back to the factory setup, it just shows that it enumerates as HID devices when you press it in the documentation, but doesn't go beyond that. I've passed on the rest of your post and recommended they try the UniFlash software, but given this situation, is there a specific thing to do to get around this? 

  • 0 in reply to Jon Buford
    TI__Mastermind 28000 points
    Hi Jon,

    If the UniFlash approach does not work, then the LaunchPad's debugger or MCU may be damaged, or the CCS/MSP430 drivers are not properly installed.

    A few other items to check:
    1) Using Code Composer Studio or Energia, load a known/generic MSP430 code example.
    2) Can the client use a different laptop/PC to check if the same issue occurs?
    3) Does the 3.3V LaunchPad header measure at 3.3V?
  • 0 in reply to Akeem Whitehead
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Akeem, 

    Thanks for the additional info. This is pretty odd. I had the client run through everything, and we were able to get the blinky demo to flash and run. The flashing via the UniFlash for the USB2Any firmware also worked. The board shows up as MSP Application UART1 and MSP Debug Interface in the device manager under COM ports. In the PGA460 GUI, it shows that the board isn't found (red indicator) and we have tried reinitializing the USB, rebooting, etc. We have tried it with a couple of different machines, and a USB hub, just to see if that makes any difference. 

    Anything else I should try?

    Thanks!

    Jon

  • 0 in reply to Jon Buford
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Akeem, 

    The client just tried the flashing via the GUI once more with a different PGA460 board connected as an additional test. It seems like the MSP board is now flashing using the GUI mechanism after having flashed it using other tools, but it doesn't want to connect still after flashing the USB2Any firmware. 

    Any thoughts on what we can try? This is holding up final testing of our custom boards for the PGA460 at the moment. 

    Thanks, 

    Jon

  • 0 in reply to Jon Buford
    TI__Mastermind 28000 points
    Hi Jon,

    Assuming the MSP430 LP is now properly flashed with the USB2ANY (U2A) firmware, we need to confirm that the BOOSTXL-PGA460 is correctly powered and receiving the UART commands from the MCU. One last check to ensure U2A is loaded is to look for the green LED2 at the bottom of the LaunchPad to blink-toggle when connected to USB before opening the GUI. When the GUI is opened, and the GUI takes control of the LaunchPad, the green LED should be solid.

    Which power mode is the customer using? An external supply or the USB-boost supply to power the PGA460 device? For an external supply, the client can remove the shunt from the jumper block at J7. If the USB-boost supply is used, then ensure the right column of the J7 block is shunted. Refer to the "Power Mode Jumper Settings" section of the PGA460-Q1 EVM User's Guide ( www.ti.com/.../slau659 ) for a description and visual of the J7 jumper connection.

    Recall that the PGA460 requires at least 6V at VPWR to operate. With the EVM powered, probe VPWR to ensure the device is receiving sufficient power.

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