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CCS/MSP430FR5994: MSP-FET Spy-Bi-Wire: Uniflash Connects To Target, CCS Does Not

Part Number: MSP430FR5994
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: UNIFLASH, MSP-FET, , MSPDS

Tool/software: Code Composer Studio

I have UniFlash 4.2.0.1490 (MSP430.dll ver. 3.10.0.003), CCS 6.1.1 (MSP430.dll ver. 3.4.3.4), and MSP-FET with a serial number starting with "14"

UniFlash Identifies, connects and communicates with the 2-wire Spy-Bi-Wire connected target without any issues.

CCS Identifies, connects and communicates with 4-wire JTAG targets without any issues

CCS reports "Error connecting to the target: Unknown device" when attempting to connect to the same Spy-Bi-Wire connected MSP430FR5994 to which UniFlash can connect. Followed by "Unable to connect to the target."

When alternating between UniFlash and CCS, each asks to update the MSP-FET firmware. 

Also in CCS when the target ccsml file is opened the connect button in the Advanced Setup -> Test Connection section is greyed.

What is the recommended approach for fixing this?

  • Both UniFlash and CCS prefer a different MSPDS version, which is why you are asked to update the MSP-FET firmware each time. Have you tried ignoring the CCS update request? The timing for CCS could be a bit more strict than for Uniflash which causes the communication issue. What pull-down capacitance do you have on your RST line? Try to reduce or remove this value to lower the parasitic capacitance by as much as possible. Also make sure that the TEST and RST connectors are as short as possible and similar in length.

    Regards,
    Ryan
  • The RST line pull-down capacitance is 1 nF.

    I did go through various iterations of updating/ignore updating the MSP-FET firmware without success.

    I finally took MSP430.dll, msp430_emu.dvr and the DLLs that MSP430.dll references from the UniFlash folders and put them in the folder ti\ccsv6\ccs_base\DebugServer\drivers folder.  I was able to get a connection via CCS, loaded code and did some debugging via the Spy-Bi-Wire connection. 

    The "Test Connection" button for the target configuration (.ccxml file) is still disabled.

  • Jim,

    The Test Connection button will be disabled when using an MSP-FET as it does not support that functionality.  It is enabled based on if the selected probe supports it.

    Regards,

    John