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MSP430F2122: MSP430F2122TRHBR: Adapter Needed to connect MSP-GANG to VQFN Package?

Part Number: MSP430F2122
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP-GANG, MSP-FET, , MSP-TS430RHB32A, MSP-TS430PW28

Hi Team!

My customer is looking to use our gang adapter, but cannot connect the adapter to the MCU in their system/board.

They are using the MSP430F2122TRHBR in the 32-VQFN package.

Does my customer need a specific adapter on top of MPS-GANG adapter?

Thanks!

Peter

  • Hello Peter,

    Peter Kittiyasawadi said:
    My customer is looking to use our gang adapter, but cannot connect the adapter to the MCU in their system/board.

    The MSP-GANG uses our 14-pin JTAG connectors like the MSP-FET. Understandably, customers do not want to include a large connector like this in their final design. For production programming, I would highly recommend using the MSP-GANG.

    Peter Kittiyasawadi said:

    They are using the MSP430F2122TRHBR in the 32-VQFN package.

    Does my customer need a specific adapter on top of MPS-GANG adapter?

    Normally, we would recommend using eight target socket boards, but it doesn't look like we sell those for the MSP430F2122 in the 32-pin VQFN package.

    Now, I have seen customers use adapter cables from the TC2050-IDC family made by a company called Tag-Connect. They offer both legged and no-legs versions, which can connect directly to our 14-pin JTAG connectors on the MSP-GANG. Obviously, if the customer's design is finalized and the production boards don't have the matching footprint, then these adapter cables won't work.

    If this option won't work, they would have to design custom adapter boards that can connect to the 14-pin JTAG connectors on the MSP-GANG and also interface to headers, connectors, etc. on their specific board. Perhaps, they could use the 2-wire SBW JTAG interface to reduce the number of connections (keep in mind our recommendations for the reset circuit components and other connections, which are very important to ensure proper programming, see Figures 2-1 or 2-2 in the MSP430 Hardware Tools User's Guide) although it would be slower than 4-wire JTAG. Worst case, they could try using jumper wires, but I don't recommend that for a long term solution for many reasons.

    Also, please refer to Section 1.3 in the MSP GANG Programmer User's Guide for some additional things to consider such as max supplied power by the MSP-GANG, max wire lengths, etc.

    Regards,

    James

    MSP Customer Applications

  • Hello Peter,

    Did this answer your question? If so, please click the green "This Resolved My Issue" button.

    Regards,

    James

    MSP Customer Applications
  • Hi James,

    Got some feedback from my customer.

    "I am not looking to program the parts in the final board. I am looking at programing the parts before they are installed into the production boards. So I am looking at programing many parts at the same time. If I use your gang programmer I could program 8 parts at once. But I would need a socket and Board to interface to the gage programmer."

    We did some digging and my customer thinks they could use this board (www.ti.com/.../MSP-TS430RHB32A)
    could be used with the gang programmer to program my chips. Is this the best choice?

    Best Regards,
    Peter
  • HI James,

    Could you please see my customer's feedback below?

    "I am not looking to program the parts in the final board. I am looking at programing the parts before they are installed into the production boards. So I am looking at programing many parts at the same time. If I use your gang programmer I could program 8 parts at once. But I would need a socket and Board to interface to the gage programmer."

    We did some digging and my customer thinks they could use this board (www.ti.com/.../MSP-TS430RHB32A)
    could be used with the gang programmer to program my chips. Is this the best choice?

    Thanks!
    Peter
  • Hello Peter,

    Thanks for sharing the customer's feedback and for digging. While the MSP-TS430RHB32A target socket board will accept 32-pin QFNs, the pin connections won't match up with the QFN package of the MSP430F2122 device, so they won't be able to program the part. I've included snapshots of the MSP430F2122's pins and the pin-out of the target board below.

    I would definitely recommend using the MSP-GANG for production programming for the reasons the customer mentioned. Thus, my best recommendation would be to design a very basic PCB like the MSP-TS430RHB32A board but based on the proper connections, interfaces, and passives (VCC, GND, JTAG, etc.) required for programming the MSP430F2122 (reference the connections and components in the schematic for the MSP-TS430PW28 board in Figure B-20 in the MSP430 Hardware Tools User's Guide). I searched for the socket that fits the 32 pin QFN 5x5mm online, and I found that a few are available from the link below. The customer may be able to find more sockets from other sources. This would allow them to program their devices.

    Hopefully this helps!

    Regards,

    James

    MSP Customer Applications

  • Hi James,

    Thanks for the feedback!

    Customer has one more thing to run by you.

    See below.

    I believe what you are saying is that I need to make my own adaptor board. I don’t think I need everything on  Figure B-20. I think it can be the simplified version of Figure 2-1

  • Hello Peter,

    Yes, that's correct. Actually, Figure 2-1 is basically the top part of Figure B-20 along with a few other passives like C3, C4. They can choose whether to implement 4-wire JTAG and 2-wire SBW. 4-wire JTAG will take less time to program the device.



    Regards,

    James

    MSP Customer Applications

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