Texas Instruments MSP-PRGS430 User manual

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MSP430™ Microcontroller Serial Programming Adapter
User's Guide
SLAU048I–August 2000–Revised October 2018
MSP430™ Microcontroller Serial Programming Adapter
This document describes how to use the MSP430™ Microcontroller Serial Programming Adapter
(MSP430-PRGS430). Instructions include how to install the software and hardware for the programmer
and how to use the programmer to read to and write from MSP MCUs.
Contents
1 Installation and Setup ....................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Installing the Software.............................................................................................. 3
1.2 Installing the Hardware............................................................................................. 3
2 Operation ..................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Software and Hardware Layers of the PRGS430 Environment .............................................. 5
2.2 Programming MSP430 Devices With the GUI .................................................................. 6
2.3 Command Line Options .......................................................................................... 11
2.4 PRGS430.DLL Description....................................................................................... 14
3 Hardware.................................................................................................................... 26
3.1 Specifications ...................................................................................................... 26
3.2 Hints................................................................................................................. 26
3.3 Programming Adapter Target Connector Signals............................................................. 27
3.4 MSP-PRGS430 Circuit Diagrams............................................................................... 29
3.5 Location of Components on MSP-PRGS430.................................................................. 29
3.6 Interconnection of MSP-PRGS430 to OTP or EPROM-Based MSP430 Devices ........................ 30
3.7 Interconnection of MSP-PRGS430 to Flash-Based MSP430 Devices..................................... 31
4 Hex Object Format......................................................................................................... 32
4.1 Intel-Hex Object Format.......................................................................................... 32
4.2 TI-TXT File Format................................................................................................ 33
5 Schematics.................................................................................................................. 33
List of Figures
1 ADT430 Program Icons..................................................................................................... 3
2 Serial Programming Adapter............................................................................................... 4
3 Software and Hardware Layers............................................................................................ 5
4 MSP430 Programmer Dialog Box ......................................................................................... 6
5 Communication Error Box .................................................................................................. 9
6 Communication Error Box for Blown Fuse ............................................................................... 9
7 Erase Check Error Message ............................................................................................... 9
8 Data Error..................................................................................................................... 9
9 25-Pin Sub-D at Programming Adapter ................................................................................. 27
10 14-Pin Connector at End of Interconnect Cable ....................................................................... 27
11 MSP-PRGS430 Components............................................................................................. 29
12 MSP-PRGS430 Used to Program OTP or EPROM-Based MSP430 Devices..................................... 30
13 MSP-PRGS430 Used to Program Flash-Based MSP430 Devices.................................................. 31
14 Intel-Hex Object Format................................................................................................... 32
15 Schematics (1 of 2) ........................................................................................................ 34
16 Schematics (2 of 2) ........................................................................................................ 35

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List of Tables
1 MSP430 Function Buttons and Descriptions............................................................................. 7
2 Error Messages............................................................................................................. 10
3 Command Line Options ................................................................................................... 11
4 SetNotificationWnd Status Codes........................................................................................ 23
5 Return Values and Error Codes.......................................................................................... 25
6 MSP430 Hardware Specifications ....................................................................................... 26
7 Target Connector Signal Functions...................................................................................... 28
8 Programming Adapter Signal Levels .................................................................................... 28
Trademarks
MSP430 is a trademark of Texas Instruments.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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MSP430™ Microcontroller Serial Programming Adapter
1 Installation and Setup
This section describes how to install and program the hardware and software for the MSP430-PRGS430
programming adapter used with the MSP430 family of microcontrollers.
1.1 Installing the Software
To install the MSP-PRGS430 software, perform the following steps.
1. To ensure that you are using the latest version of the MSP-PRGS430 software, download the latest
software from http://www.ti.com/lit/zip/slac029 and extract the installation executable
(PRGS430_Rxxx.exe).
2. Run PRGS430_Rxxx.exe. A welcoming message is displayed.
3. Follow the setup instructions. The setup program guides you through the installation process.
4. During setup, the MSP430 program icons are installed in the selected folder. Click on the PRGS430
Read Me First icon (see Figure 1) for important information about the program device hardware and
software.
Figure 1. ADT430 Program Icons
5. To start the programming adapter software, click the PRGS430 icon in the selected program group
(default: ADT430).
1.2 Installing the Hardware
To install the programming adapter hardware, perform the following steps:
1. Using the 9-pin SUB-D connector, connect the programming adapter to the serial port (COM1 to
COM4) of the PC.
2. Connect an external power supply to the programming adapter. The voltage of the power supply must
be between 14 V and 20 V dc and must provide a minimum of 200 mA of power. The center terminal
of the supply connector at the programming adapter is the positive pole.
3. The red LED on the programming adapter illuminates if the power supply is properly connected. If the
LED does not illuminate and the power supply is properly connected, check the F1 fuse on the
programming adapter printed-wire board (PWB).
4. Connect the MSP430 MCUs, in a socket or on a PWB, to the programming adapter through the 14-pin
cable.
The programming adapter provides the selected supply voltage VCC at pin 14 of the 25-pin SUB-D
connector, or at pin 2 of the 14-pin connector to supply the MSP430 MCU. The signal name is
VCC_MSP.
If an external supply voltage VCC is used for the MSP430, the internal voltage VCC_MSP must be set
to the same voltage level.

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Figure 2. Serial Programming Adapter

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2 Operation
This section describes the programming procedure for MSP430 MCUs and the error messages you may
encounter during the procedure.
2.1 Software and Hardware Layers of the PRGS430 Environment
Figure 3 shows the layers of the environment and the communication options.
Figure 3. Software and Hardware Layers
The options to handle and communicate with the PRGS430 hardware are:
• Using the graphical user interface (see Section 2.2)
• Using command line parameters (see Section 2.3)
• Using the PRGS430.dll (see Section 2.4). This is the fastest way if the PRGS430 is used in an in-
system program and test environment.

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2.2 Programming MSP430 Devices With the GUI
2.2.1 Basic Procedure
To program the MSP430 MCUs:
1. Click the Program Device icon during the installation-selected program group (default: ADT430). The
MSP430 programmer dialog box appears. The status line at the bottom of the window shows the
actual or the most recent activity (see Figure 4). The status line displays the message "Connecting to
adapter..." until the programming adapter is detected and the baud rate is set.
2. Select the correct device and supply voltage.
3. Select the name of the object file (TI-TXT (.txt) or Intel-hex (.a43) format).
4. Select the additional options to program, if necessary using Erase Flash, Erase Check, or Verify (see
Table 1).
5. Click the Program button to start programming. The status line at the bottom of the window shows the
actual or most recent activity (see Figure 4).
Figure 4. MSP430 Programmer Dialog Box

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2.2.2 Description of the MSP-PRGS430 GUI
To program an MSP430 MCU:
1. Select the file that contains the data to program from the MSP430 programmer dialog box (see
Figure 4).
2. Select the device. An error message appears on the screen if the device selected is different or not
connected.
3. Set the required supply voltage, communication port COMx, and baud rate. The device configuration
and memory type are selected automatically according to the selected device.
4. Click the Program button to start the programming operation.
Table 1 describes the function of the buttons for different options and combinations for the MSP430
programmer dialog box.
Table 1. MSP430 Function Buttons and Descriptions
Button Name Functions Description
File Name Selects the name of the file to program (Intel-hex or TI-TXT format)
Device Select Selects the MSP430 MCU type to program from a list
Supply Voltage VCC switch off Selects the supply voltage for the MSP430
If selected (default), the supply voltage is switched off after each MSP430 access;
otherwise, the supply voltage remains connected.
Program
An object code is programmed to the on-chip memory using the select options.
With Erase Flash Memory is erased before programming (only with flash devices). The following
options are possible:−Main and information memory−Main memory only
With Erase Check Erase check is performed before programming operation is executed.
With Verify Each section is verified after it is programmed, or an error message is displayed if
verification fails.
With Blow Fuse The code-protection fuse is blown after the entire object code, with verify, is
programmed. This action is irreversible and disables future on-chip memory access
(reading or programming). This step is not performed if verify is disabled or verify
fails. A warning is displayed.
Erase Flash
Erase operation can be done only with flash devices, according to the selected
option.
By file Only the memory locations corresponding to the selected object file are erased. All
other memory locations keep their old data (smart erase).
By device The entire flash memory of the device is erased.
By range An erase is performed depending on the values entered in the range fields.
Erase Check
Checks if memory locations are erased.
By file Checks only the memory locations used by the selected object file.
By device Checks the entire programmable memory of the device. (No RAM is checked.)
By range An erase check is performed according to the range of memory locations in the
range for Erase Check/Readout field.
Verify
Verify the data in the MSP430 MCU according to the selected option.
By file A verification of the memory locations vs the selected object file is performed. (By
file and by device are the same functions.)
By device
By range Verify memory locations defined in the range field vs the data in the selected file. The defined range should not contain memory locations outside the data stored in
the selected file, otherwise an error is reported.
Blow Fuse The on-chip security fuse is irreversibly disabled and any access, such as reading or programming of the MSP430, is impossible through JTAG. Access through
bootstrap loader interface is possible for devices that support that interface.

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Table 1. MSP430 Function Buttons and Descriptions (continued)
Button Name Functions Description
Read
Read data from MSP430 MCU. When this function is executed, a dialog box
appears; the file name for the data to store should be selected.
By device Read the entire memory of the device and store the data into the file selected in
the file name field.
By range Read the memory locations selected by the range field and store the data in the file
selected in the file name field.
Reset
The reset of a MSP430 can be performed in two ways. After reset, the MSP430
may remain under JTAG control or can be released to operate normally and
execute the program.
PUC A software reset of the chip is generated.
RST/NMI Generates a hardware reset by applying a low pulse on RST/NMI pin.
With JTAG release JTAG is released after the execution of the reset (through JTAG or RST/NMI).
COM Port Selects the COM port to which the programming adapter is connected
Baud Rate Selects the baud rate for communication with the programming adapter hardware
Help Help is available for programming MSP430 MCUs, command buttons, selectors,
and the object file format used. The Help menu can be found in the system menu
of the serial programming adapter software (right click on the symbol at the upper-
left corner of the program window) or with the F1 function key.
NOTE: For some MSP430 family members, for example, MSP430F2xxx devices, portions of flash
information memory are factory preprogrammed with calibration data. Depending on which
method is used for erasing the flash memory, this calibration data may be erased. Should the
calibration data be conserved, it must be read prior to the information memory erase or a
flash erase method that does not affect the calibration data memory locations must be used.
See the device-specific data sheet for further information on preprogrammed calibration data
memory locations.
If it should be saved, the following erase options must not be used as the Info memory will
be entirely erased:
• Program with Erase Flash (flash-erase options: Main and Info Memory)
or
• Erase Flash by Device
Instead, "Erase Flash by File" or "Erase Flash by Range" should be used.

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2.2.3 Error Messages
One of the following messages may show if JTAG communication is not established correctly:
• If the MSP430 MCU to program can not be found, the message shown in Figure 5 appears. This
problem can be caused by the PRGS430 not being connected to the hardware, the device not inserted
or incorrectly inserted into the socket, or the device not powered.
• The problem could be that the PRGS430 is not connected to the hardware, the device is not inserted
or is incorrectly inserted into the socket, or the device is not powered.
Figure 5. Communication Error Box
If the fuse is already blown, the error message shown in Figure 6 appears.
Figure 6. Communication Error Box for Blown Fuse
Additional message boxes appear for general error messages, such as erase check (see Figure 7).
Figure 7. Erase Check Error Message
When a read error is detected in the input file, such as a format error, the following message is displayed
(see Figure 8).
Figure 8. Data Error

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Table 2. Error Messages
Error Type Error Message
Communication Communication failed!
Communication Adapter not connected!
Communication Synchronization with adapter failed!
Communication The present adapter is not an MSP-PRGS430!
Communication Missing setting of VCC!
MSP430 Target not connected!
MSP430 Wrong JTAG version!
MSP430 PUC failed!
MSP430 Wrong target!
MSP430 Target fuse is blown!
MSP430 Blown fuse failed!
MSP430 Supply voltage to low!
MSP430 Fuse not released for this device!
Setting Unknown target!
Setting No target selected!
Setting Wrong VCC selected!
Setting Wrong baud rate!
Setting Communication port error!
Setting The selected range is invalid!
Setting Wrong argument!
Setting Error at target address (during erase check or verify)
Setting Unknown command line option
Setting Command line option out of valid range
System DEVICE.CFG corrupted
System General error!
System File type could not be detected!
System Unexpected end of file!
System PROJECT.INI corrupted!
System Filename mismatch
System Error in DEVICE.CFG
Windows Error during file I/O
2.2.4 Content of PRGS430.ini File
The last settings of the PRGS430 graphical user interface (GUI) are stored in the .ini file before exiting the
program. This information is stored under the Program Device System section.
Additionally, the following parameters are in the [Options] section and may be modified:
[Options]
\BlowFuse = 1 →The blow fuse button in the GUI is disabled to prevent accidental blow of the irreversible
fuse.
LastResult = 0 →If the program is called with command-line parameter, the error code that is returned to
the system when exiting the program is also stored here.