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MSP430FR2100: UART Bootloader Response Operation

Part Number: MSP430FR2100
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP430FR2311

Hi,

I have a question about the operation of the onboard ROM bootloader in the MSP430FR2100.  I'm planning on using the MCU's ROM bootloader behind a serial transceiver.  The problem is, when the MCU responds after receiving a message frame, the response will also be reflected back at the processor.  Meaning, the processor will also see its response transmitted.  Will this be an issue for the bootloader?

Thanks

  • Hi Erik

    For some commands there are the responses.Like the table below:

    For more information, you can refer to the document http://www.ti.com/lit/ug/slau550s/slau550s.pdf 

  • Hi Gary,

    Thank you for providing the bsl core command and response list.  My question is a bit more fundamental than this.  If the bootloader sees its own response message when transmitting, will the response message interrupt or corrupt the bootloading process at all?  From your response I take it, the bootloader will filter out only the acceptable commands and act on them?  To better illustrate my question, see the diagram below:

  • Hi Erik

    I have try the BSL with MSP430FR2311 and there is no the same issue that you got. I have captured the waves by saleae you can see the waves by the Saleae's GUI here https://www.saleae.com/downloads/

    bsl_good_fr2311_uart.logicdata

    I did this with the BSL rocket , you can try by other tools like MSP-FET 

    You can compare the command waves the your host with the wave I sent you.

    For more information you can refer to http://www.ti.com/tool/MSPBSL?keyMatch=BSL&tisearch=Search-EN-Everything

  • Hi Gary,

    Thank you for the wave-forms.  I think you're misunderstanding my question. They show what a normal UART communication interaction would be with BSL.  The application/interface that I would like to use the BSL does not fall within the standard implementations.  As I mentioned, I want to interface the BSL against a serial transceiver (IE RS485 (with RE enabled all the time) ).  Due to the nature of that implementation, when the BSL sends an ACK on a frame or responds to a command, the BSL will see its own response reflected back on itself (like I illustrated in the image).  My question is, is this a problem?

    Thanks

  • Hi Erik

    For the normal BSL communication, there should not exist that problem. From my eyes, that should not affect the MSP430FR2100. i am so curious why that issue  be happen. 
    The reason I send you my test detail is that I want you flow my test process to exclude the problem that related with your host or other hardware devices.
    If you can reproduce the problem with my test process I will apply some MSP430FR2100 to do more research.
    For the detail of my process you can refer to this document www.ti.com/.../slau655f.pdf
    Best regards
    Gary

  • Hello Erik,

    For your specific scenario, we will have to check with our BSL architect for a definitive answer. From my knowledge of the BSL, this could be a potential issue depending on what is replied back and it it matches a known command or not, but it's a little speculative on my part here as this is not a typical scenario. As stated before, we will have to take this to our BSL architect which may take some time. We should be able to get back to you by next Wednesday on this. 

    EDIT:  Is this something that could be tested out from your side while we dig into this?

  • Hi Jace,

    Thanks for following up with the BSL architect on this.

    With regards to testing this out.  I'm planning on it.  I've already purchased a couple of dev-kits to experiment.  Unfortunately, I haven't had time to get to it yet.  When I do, it may take a little time to set up a proof of concept test.  Will post back if I get results sooner than a response.

    Thanks.

  • Hi Erik

    We have discussed with the BSL architects and from a BSL design standpoint, this situation will not be able to be supported.
    So the key point here is to find why the echo will happen. That should not be related with the msp430, because our BSL not designed with the echo function and I have apply some msp430fr2100 samples to verify it. You can also provide more the details of your hardware and we can review it and give some comments for you.

    Best regards
    Gary
  • Gary,

    Thank you for the response.  I plan on verifying this as well.

    Based on the above response about the BSL not being supported with echo, I have two further questions:

    1. If the BSL is being invoked in software, what is the state of the pins that are not being used?  Are the pin directions reset to inputs or do they remain the same as before invocation?
    2. What happens with the BSL if it sees a malform message transmitted?  -- nothing?

    Regards,
    Erik

  • Hi Erik

    1. For the software invoke, the BSL unused pins and modules will remain the same state as before invocation.
    2. It can execute the command that sand to it with right protocol. You can use a LED toggle task in the application code if it is stop flip that means the device goes into the BSL mode.

    Best regards
    Gary
  • Hi Erik

    The most likely is related to the configuration of the RS485 device. What' s the device? And how you configured this device?
  • Hi Gary,

    Can you elaborate on this statement:

    2. It can execute the command that sand to it with right protocol. You can use a LED toggle task in the application code if it is stop flip that means the device goes into the BSL mode.

    Does this mean that you can use interrupts with user code during the BSL mode process?

    Thanks,
    Erik
  • What I means is you can pre-download a LED toggle application code into the device and if you go into the BSL mode the application code will stop running and to be observe easily the LED will stop toggle. But that seems not related with your problem because you can go into the BSL successfully.
  • Hi Erink

    I have tested the device MSP430FR2100 with UART BSL and it works well no echo on the TX pin today.

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