Texas Instruments MSP-WDS Metawatch Series User manual

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MSP Debuggers
User's Guide
SLAU647F–July 2015–Revised December 2016
MSP Debuggers
This manual describes the use and the features of all MSP debug probes. It includes information about the
debugger probe hardware and software. It documents frequently asked questions on how to enable and
disable certain features. It shows the differences between the debug probes and offers a guide on how to
identify the specific version of the debug probe hardware.
Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3
2 MSP Debug Probe Overview............................................................................................... 4
3 Hardware Identification...................................................................................................... 6
4 Hardware Installation........................................................................................................ 8
5 Debug Probes Hardware and Software ................................................................................. 12
List of Figures
1 eZ-FET Windows Enumeration ............................................................................................ 6
2 eZ-FET Emulation IP........................................................................................................ 6
3 eZ-FET Lite Emulation IP................................................................................................... 6
4 eZ430 Emulation IP ......................................................................................................... 7
5 eZ430 Windows Enumeration.............................................................................................. 7
6 MSP Flasher Driver Install Notification.................................................................................. 10
7 CCS Cloud Agent Installation............................................................................................. 11
8 Successful CCS Cloud Agent Installation............................................................................... 11
9 MSP Ecosystem............................................................................................................ 12
10 MSP-FET Top View........................................................................................................ 15
11 MSP-FET Bottom View.................................................................................................... 15
12 MSP-FET 14-Pin JTAG Connector ...................................................................................... 18
13 Open MSP-FET Cover .................................................................................................... 20
14 Jumper J5................................................................................................................... 20
15 Recovery Confirmation .................................................................................................... 21
16 MSP-FET USB Debugger, Schematic (1 of 5) ......................................................................... 22
17 MSP-FET USB Debugger, Schematic (2 of 5) ......................................................................... 23
18 MSP-FET USB Debugger, Schematic (3 of 5) ......................................................................... 24
19 MSP-FET USB Debugger, Schematic (4 of 5) ......................................................................... 25
20 MSP-FET USB Debugger, Schematic (5 of 5) ......................................................................... 26
21 MSP-FET USB Debugger, PCB (Top) .................................................................................. 26
22 MSP-FET USB Debugger, PCB (Bottom)............................................................................... 26
23 MSP-FET430UIF Version 1.4a Top and Bottom Views............................................................... 28
24 MSP-FET430UIF Version 1.3 Top and Bottom Views ................................................................ 28
25 MSP-FET430UIF 14-Pin JTAG Connector ............................................................................. 29
26 MSP-FET430UIF USB Interface, Schematic (1 of 4).................................................................. 31
27 MSP-FET430UIF USB Interface, Schematic (2 of 4).................................................................. 32
28 MSP-FET430UIF USB Interface, Schematic (3 of 4).................................................................. 33
29 MSP-FET430UIF USB Interface, Schematic (4 of 4).................................................................. 34

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30 MSP-FET430UIF USB Interface, PCB .................................................................................. 35
31 eZ-FET and eZ-FET Lite (Top View) .................................................................................... 36
32 eZ-FET Rev1.3 (Top View) ............................................................................................... 36
33 eZ-FET or eZ-FET Lite Debug Connector .............................................................................. 38
34 MSP-FET to LaunchPad Development Kit Pin Assignments......................................................... 39
35 MSP-FET to LaunchPad Wiring Diagram............................................................................... 39
36 eZ-FET Schematic (USB Connection)................................................................................... 40
37 eZ-FET Schematic (Emulation MCU).................................................................................... 41
38 eZ-FET Schematic DCDC (No eZ-FET Lite) ........................................................................... 42
39 eZ430 Emulation ........................................................................................................... 43
40 eZ430 Debug Connector on MSP-EXP430G2 LaunchPad........................................................... 44
41 eZ430 Schematic (Emulation MCU) ..................................................................................... 45
42 eZ430 Schematic (USB Connection).................................................................................... 46
43 MSP-FET430PIF ........................................................................................................... 47
44 MSP-FET430PIF FET Interface Module, Schematic .................................................................. 48
45 MSP-FET430PIF FET Interface Module, PCB ......................................................................... 49
List of Tables
1 Debug Probes Features and Device Compatibility...................................................................... 4
2 MSP-FET Backchannel UART Implementation ........................................................................ 16
3 MSP-FET Backchannel UART Activation Commands ................................................................ 16
4 MSP-FET MSP Target BSL Activation Commands.................................................................... 17
5 MSP-FET LED Signals .................................................................................................... 18
6 MSP-FET Pin States....................................................................................................... 19
7 MSP-FET430UIF LED Signals ........................................................................................... 29
8 MSP-FET430UIF Pin States.............................................................................................. 30
9 eZ-FET and eZ-FET Lite Backchannel UART Implementation ...................................................... 37
10 eZ-FET and eZ-FET Lite Backchannel UART Activation Commands............................................... 38
11 eZ-FET LED Signals....................................................................................................... 38
12 eZ-FET and eZ-FET Lite Pin States..................................................................................... 39
13 eZ430 Backchannel UART Implementation ............................................................................ 44
14 eZ430 Pin States........................................................................................................... 44
Trademarks
MSP430, E2E, EnergyTrace are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
OS X is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.
Ubuntu is a trademark of Canonical Group Ltd.
IAR Embedded Workbench is a trademark of IAR Systems.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Windows is a registered trademark of Micosoft Corporation.
CentOS is a trademark of Red Hat, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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MSP Debuggers
1 Introduction
1.1 Related Documentation From Texas Instruments
MSP430™ Hardware Tools User's Guide
IAR Embedded Workbench™ Version 3+ for MSP430™ User's Guide
Advanced Debugging Using the Enhanced Emulation Module (EEM) With Code Composer Studio™
Version 6
MSP430™ Programming With the Bootloader (BSL)
MSP430™ Programming With the JTAG Interface
1.2 Terms and Abbreviations
Term Definition
BSL Bootloader
CCS Code Composer Studio development tool for MSP430
CDC Communications device class
CPU Central processing unit
CRC Cyclic redundancy check
CTS Clear to send
FET Flash emulation tool
I2C Inter-Integrated Circuit 2-wire communication bus
IAR EW430 IAR Embedded Workbench development tool for MSP430
JTAG Joint Test Action Group
JTAG 4-wire 4-wire JTAG protocol communication
MCLK Master clock
MSP Mixed signal processor
MSP-FET MSP debug probe
MSP-FET430 UIF MSP debug probe
MSPDebugStack Dynamic library (Windows®), shared object (Linux®), or dy library (OS X®) that offers functions to access and
debug MSP430 devices using an MSP debug probe
PC Personal computer
RTS Request to send
RX Receive data
SBW Spy-Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG protocol) communication
TX Transmit data
UART Universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter
UIF USB interface to debug and access MSP derivatives
USB Universal serial bus
1.3 If You Need Assistance
Support for the MSP microcontrollers and the development tools is provided by the TI Product Information
Center (PIC). Contact information for the PIC can be found on the TI website at www.ti.com/support. The
TI E2E™ Community support forums for the MSP microcontrollers also provide open interaction and
support from a community of peer engineers, TI engineers, and other experts. Additional device-specific
information can be found on the MSP website.

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2 MSP Debug Probe Overview
Table 1 is an overview of the capabilities and features for the available MSP debug probes.
CAUTION
Never disconnect the JTAG or emulator USB cable during an active debug
session. Always terminate a running debug session properly, by clicking on the
"Terminate" icon, before disconnecting the target device.
(1) The MSP-FET430PIF is for legacy device support only. This emulation tool does not support any devices released after 2011.
(2) See Section 3.1 to identify the hardware.
(3) The eZ-FET Emulation IP and eZ-FET Lite Emulation IP are used as the onboard emulation for the MSP LaunchPad tools.
(4) See Section 5.5 for more information.
(5) The 2-wire JTAG debug interface is also referred to as Spy-Bi-Wire (SBW) interface.
Table 1. Debug Probes Features and Device Compatibility(1)(2)(3)
Feature and MSP430 Device Support
eZ430-F2013 eZ430-RF2500 eZ430-RF2480 eZ430-RF2560 MSP-WDSxx Metawatch eZ430-Chronos LaunchPad (MSP-EXP430G2) MSP-EXP430FR5739 MSP-EXP430F5529 MSP-FET430PIF MSP-FET430UIF MSP-FET eZ-FET Emulation IP eZ-FET Lite Emulation IP
Supports all programmable MSP430 and
CC430 devices ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Supports only F20xx, G2x01, G2x11,
G2x21, G2x31 ✓
Supports F20xx, F21x2, F22xx, G2x01,
G2x11, G2x21, G2x31, G2x53 ✓
Supports F20xx, F21x2, F22xx, G2x01,
G2x11, G2x21, G2x31 ✓ ✓
Supports F5438, F5438A ✓
Supports BT5190, F5438A ✓ ✓
Supports only F552x ✓
Supports FR57xx, F5638, F6638 ✓
Supports only CC430F613x ✓
Supports MSP432Pxx ✓
Allows JTAG access protection
(Fuse Blow)(4) ✓ ✓
Adjustable target supply voltage ✓ ✓
Fixed 2.8-V target supply voltage ✓
Fixed 3.3-V target supply voltage ✓ ✓
Fixed 3.6-V target supply voltage ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
4-wire JTAG ✓ ✓ ✓
2-wire JTAG(5) ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓
BSL tool or mode ✓
Backchannel UART ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Supported by CCS for Windows ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Supported by CCS for Linux ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Supported by CCS for OS X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

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Table 1. Debug Probes Features and Device Compatibility(1)(2)(3) (continued)
Feature and MSP430 Device Support
eZ430-F2013 eZ430-RF2500 eZ430-RF2480 eZ430-RF2560 MSP-WDSxx Metawatch eZ430-Chronos LaunchPad (MSP-EXP430G2) MSP-EXP430FR5739 MSP-EXP430F5529 MSP-FET430PIF MSP-FET430UIF MSP-FET eZ-FET Emulation IP eZ-FET Lite Emulation IP
Supported by IAR ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
EnergyTrace™, EnergyTrace++ ✓ ✓

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3 Hardware Identification
3.1 How to Determine If Your Hardware is Based on eZ-FET or eZ-FET Lite
• Check the installed tool drivers by using the Windows Device Manager. eZ-FET tools enumerate as
CDC "MSP Debug Interface" and CDC "MSP Application UART1" devices (see Figure 1).
• Check the Experimenter Board or LaunchPad emulation section to find out if it is based on an eZ-FET
tool. If it is based on an MSP430F5528 device, it is an eZ-FET tool.
• There is a small print on the silkscreen that indicates eZ-FET or eZ-FET Lite (see Figure 2 and
Figure 3).
Figure 1. eZ-FET Windows Enumeration
Figure 2. eZ-FET Emulation IP
Figure 3. eZ-FET Lite Emulation IP

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3.2 How to Determine If Your Hardware is Based on eZ430
• Check the installed tool drivers by using the Windows Device Manager (see Figure 5). eZ430 tools
enumerate as HID (Debugger port) and CDC (Backchannel UART) devices.
• Check the Experimenter Board to find out if it is based on an eZ430 tool (see Figure 4). If it is based
on an MSP430F1612 and a TUSB3410, it is an eZ430 tool.
Figure 4. eZ430 Emulation IP
Figure 5. eZ430 Windows Enumeration
3.3 Signal Connections for In-System Programming and Debugging
For details about the hardware connections of all debug probes refer to the "Signal Connections for In-
System Programming and Debugging" section of the MSP430 Hardware Tools User's Guide.
3.4 Using the Power Supply Feature of the eZ-FET and eZ-FET Lite
The eZ-FET and the eZ-FET Lite only support a fixed voltage power supply. The maximum supply current
is 75 mA. For more details, refer to the specific LaunchPad or experimenter board user's guide.
NOTE: These debug probes do not support externally powering of the device while debugging – if
an external voltage is needed for stand-alone testing, the eZ-FET emulation section should
not be connected through USB. If both external power and the USB power are connected,
there could be a conflict that can damage the device.
3.5 Using the Power Supply Feature of the MSP-FET430UIF and MSP-FET
All MSP debug probes can supply targets with up to 100 mA through pin 2 of the 14-pin JTAG connector.
NOTE: The target should not consume more than 60 mA at peak current, as it may violate the USB
specification. Details can found on www.USB.org.
Example: If the target board has a capacitor on the VCC line with a capacity of more than 10 µF, it may
cause an inrush current during capacitor charging that may exceed 60 mA. In this case, the current should
be limited by the design of the target board, or an external power supply should be used.

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Target VCC is selectable in a range between 1.8 V and 3.6 V in steps of 0.1 V.
Alternatively, the target can be supplied externally. In this case, the external voltage should be connected
to pin 4 of the 14-pin JTAG connector. MSP-FET tools adjusts the level of the JTAG signals to
automatically match the external VCC.
NOTE: Only pin 2 (MSP-FET tool supplies target) or pin 4 (target is externally supplied) must be
connected. Both connections are not supported at the same time.
Even if an external supply powers the target device on the target socket module and any
user circuitry connected to the target socket module, the MSP-FET tool continues to be
powered from the PC through the USB interface.
NOTE: MSP-FET430PIF only
The PC parallel ports with a connected MSP-FET430PIF can source a maximum current of
25 mA. Because of the ultra-low-power requirement of the MSP430, a stand-alone MSP430
does not exceed the provided current. However, if additional circuits are added, the current
limit could be exceeded. In this case, the MSP430 must be supplied externally.
4 Hardware Installation
This section describes how to install the drivers for all MSP debug probes. The drivers are needed to
enable the IDE (integrated development environment) to use the debug probe that is connected to the
system. There are four different ways to install the drivers.
1. CCS desktop: During the CCS setup, all MSP debug probe drivers are installed automatically for all
supported operation systems.
2. CCS cloud: The automatic driver installer is included inside the TI Cloud Agent Application, which must
be downloaded when connecting a local MSP debug probe to CCS cloud.
3. Stand-alone driver installer: The stand-alone driver installer is only available for Windows. It installs all
MSP debug probe drivers automatically.
4. Using another supported IDE such as IAR EW430 or the MSP-Flasher: During the setup, all MSP
debug probe drivers are installed automatically.
4.1 MSP-FET430PIF
The MSP-FET430PIF has the following system requirements:
It supports only Windows XP with IAR EW430 version 5.xx.x and Code Composer Studio version 5.x.x. No
new development is scheduled to support MSP-FET430PIF.
Follow these steps to install the hardware for the MSP-FET430PIF tool:
1. Use the 25-pin ribbon cable to connect the debugger interface module to the parallel port of the PC.
The necessary driver for accessing the PC parallel port is installed automatically during CCS or IAR
Embedded Workbench installation. Note that a restart is required after the CCS or IAR Embedded
Workbench installation.
2. Use the 14-pin ribbon cable to connect the parallel-port debug interface to a target board which
contains the target MSP430 device.
4.2 MSP-FET430UIF, MSP-FET, eZ-FET, and eZ-FET Lite
NOTE: The built-in DC-DC converter of the MSP-FET and eZ-FET emulators causes a load-
dependent amount of ripple on the output voltage (fripple = 1 kHz to 50 kHz, Vrms_ripple = 5 mV to
50 mV), which might affect sensitive analog and RF circuits that are supplied by the
emulator. For such sensitive circuits, TI recommends temporarily increasing the amount of
power supply decoupling used during development, using an emulator with an integrated
linear regulator (MSP-FET430UIF or eZ-FET430), or using a separate bench supply.

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Installation steps for the MSP-FET430UIF, MSP-FET, eZ-FET or eZ-FET Lite:
1. Install the IDE (TI CCS or IAR EW430) before connecting the debug probe to the PC. During IDE
installation, the USB drivers for the debug probes are installed automatically. Make sure to use the
latest IDE version; older versions might install USB drivers that do not recognize the connected debug
probe.
2. Connect the debug probe to a USB port on the PC using the provided USB cable.
3. The following procedure applies to operation under Windows:
(a) After connecting to the PC, the debug probe should be recognized automatically, as the USB
device driver has been already installed together with the IDE.
(b) However, if the driver is not automatically detected, the "Found New Hardware wizard" starts.
Follow the instructions and point the wizard to the driver files.
The default location for CCS is: c:\ti\ccsv6\ccs_base\emulation\drivers\msp430\USB_CDC.
The default location for IAR Embedded Workbench is: <Installation Root>\Embedded Workbench
x.x\430\drivers\<Win_OS>.
4. After connecting the debug probe to a PC, the probe performs a self-test. If the self-test passes, the
green LED stays on. For a complete list of LED signals, refer to the "LED Signals" of each debug
probe in Section 5.6 through Section 5.8.
5. Connect the debug probe with the target board using the 14-pin ribbon cable.
6. When using a target socket board, make sure that the MSP430 device is properly inserted in the
socket and that pin 1 of the device (indicated with a circular indentation on the top surface) aligns with
the "1" mark on the PCB.
NOTE: To use the debug probe without an IDE, install the stand-alone driver package. The stand-
alone driver installer can be found at http://www.ti.com/mspds under the heading MSPDS-
USB-DRIVERS.
4.3 eZ430-Based Experimenter Boards and LaunchPad Kits
For driver installation on a Windows operating system, follow the steps in Section 4.2.
NOTE: eZ430-tools are not supported on USB3.0 ports. eZ430 tools are supported on Windows
operating systems only—Linux and OS X are not supported.
4.4 Hardware Installation Using the MSP Flasher
MSP Flasher is an open-source shell-based interface for programming any MSP430 device through a
MSP Debug Stack and provides the most common functions on the command line. MSP Flasher can be
used to download binary files (.txt or .hex) directly to the MSP430 memory without the need for an IDE like
CCS or IAR. It can also be used to extract firmware directly from a device, set hardware breakpoints, and
lock JTAG access permanently.
MSP Flasher supports the following operating systems:
• Windows 10 32-bit or 64-bit
• Windows 8 32-bit or 64-bit
• Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit
• Windows XP 32-bit or 64-bit
• Ubuntu™ 32-bit or 64-bit
• OS X 64-bit

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Installation steps for the MSP-FET430UIF, MSP-FET, eZ-FET or eZ-FET Lite:
1. After successfully downloading and executing the MSP Flasher installer, it prompts you to execute the
stand-alone driver installer for the MSP debug probes.
Figure 6. MSP Flasher Driver Install Notification
2. Follow the steps given by the stand-alone driver installer for debug probe driver installation.
3. After successful driver installation, connect the debug probe to a USB port on the PC using the
provided USB cable.
4. After connecting the debug probe to a PC, it performs a self-test. If the self-test passes, the green LED
stays on. For a complete list of LED signals, refer to the "LED Signals" of every debug probe in
Section 5.6 through Section 5.8.
5. Connect the debug probe with the target board using the 14-pin ribbon cable.
6. When using a target socket board, make sure that the MSP430 device is properly inserted in the
socket and that its pin 1 (indicated with a circular indentation on the top surface) aligns with the "1"
mark on the PCB.

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4.5 Hardware Installation Using CCS Cloud
CCS Cloud is web-based IDE that allows you to create, edit, and build CCS and Energia projects. After a
project is successfully built, it can be downloaded and run on the connected LaunchPad or any other
debug probe. Basic debugging features, like setting breakpoints or viewing values of target variables are
now supported.
CCS Cloud can be used with the local debug probe connected to the PC through USB. To support this
configuration, install the "CCS Cloud browser extension", and download and install the "TI Cloud Agent
Application". For more details, refer to the CCS cloud documentation at
http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/TI_Cloud_Agent.
Figure 7. CCS Cloud Agent Installation
Figure 8. Successful CCS Cloud Agent Installation
After the successful Agent installation, download the application by clicking the Flash or Debug button in
CCS Cloud.

MSPDebugStack
JTAG/SBW2
JTAG/
SBW2
MSP-Flasher
SBW2
MSP430
USB connection
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5 Debug Probes Hardware and Software
This section includes all specifications and features of all MSP debug probes. The debug probe hardware
and different debug mode configuration and setting are descried.
Figure 9 is an overview of the MSP ecosystem showing the relations between IDE and debug probe and
the MSP device itself.
Figure 9. MSP Ecosystem

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5.1 MSPDebugStack
The MSPDebugStack is the host side interface to all MSP debug probes. It is a library for controlling and
debugging Texas Instruments MSP ultra-low power microcontrollers during software development phase.
For this purpose the MSP microcontroller is controlled by the MSPDebugStack using the MSP device's
JTAG interface. The MSPDebugStack provides device control (for example, run and stop), memory
programming and debugging functionality (for example, breakpoints).
The MSPDebugStack supports these operating systems:
• Windows 10 32-bit or 64-bit
• Windows 8 32-bit or 64-bit
• Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit
• Windows XP 32-bit or 64-bit
• Ubuntu 32-bit or 64-bit
• CentOS™ 6 64-bit
• CentOS 7 64-bit
• OS X 64-bit
The debug probe firmware for all field updatable tools is included in the MSPDebugStack. It automatically
detects if an update of the debug probe is required.
For more details and information see www.ti.com/mspds.
5.2 Ultra-Low-Power Debug Support
Ultra-low power (ULP) debug support enables users to debug in the low-power modes that are used in
their application software.
If this option is enabled during an active debug session in IAR EW430 or Code Composer studio, the
target MSP430 device enters the low-power modes. Wake-up times can be measured on F5xx, F6xx,
FR5xx, and FR6xx devices. For some MSP430 devices, special debug features are disabled in this mode;
for example, setting breakpoints (hardware and software) while device is running in ULP mode.
NOTE: When debugging with EnergyTrace++ active, this mode must be used.
NOTE: Measured currents might be slightly higher than in stand-alone mode (EnergyTrace) due to
the active debugger connection.
For more details and information, refer to the MSP430 Ultra-Low-Power LPMx.5 Mode
section of the IAR Embedded Workbench Version 3+ for MSP430 User's Guide and Code
Composer Studio v6.1 for MSP430 User's Guide.
5.3 EnergyTrace™ Technology
EnergyTrace technology is an energy-based code analysis tool that measures and displays the energy
profile of an application, which helps to optimize it for ultra-low power consumption.
MSP devices with built-in EnergyTrace+[CPU State]+[Peripheral States] (or in short EnergyTrace++)
technology allow real-time monitoring of many internal device states while user program code executes.
EnergyTrace++ technology is supported on selected MSP devices and debuggers (see Table 1).
EnergyTrace mode (without the "++") is a fundamental part of EnergyTrace technology and enables
analog energy measurement to determine the energy consumption of an application but does not correlate
it to internal device information. The EnergyTrace mode is available for all MSP devices with selected
debuggers, including CCS (see Table 1).
For more details about EnergyTrace technology, refer to http://www.ti.com/tool/energytrace.

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5.4 Unlimited Software Breakpoints in Flash, FRAM, and RAM
All MSP430 debug tools support the use of software breakpoints in Flash, FRAM, and RAM. Software
breakpoints let the user set an unlimited number of breakpoints during an active debug session.
Without software breakpoints enabled, the number of breakpoints that can be set is limited to the number
of hardware breakpoints available by the specific MSP MCU. All MSP debug tools prefer the use of
hardware breakpoints as much as possible. However, if the MSP breakpoint logic runs out of hardware
breakpoints, software breakpoints are used automatically (if enabled in the IDE).
NOTE: When the debug session is closed, all software breakpoints are erased and the original
memory content is restored.
For more details about the software breakpoints and their IDE-specific use, refer to the
"Breakpoint Types" section in AR Embedded Workbench Version 3+ for MSP430 User's
Guide and Code Composer Studio v6.1 for MSP430 User's Guide.
For a practical example of different breakpoint types, refer to the application report Advanced
Debugging Using the Enhanced Emulation Module (EEM) With Code Composer Studio
Version 6.
5.5 JTAG Access Protection (Fuse Blow)
Different MSP430 devices implement different methods to prevent JTAG debug access to the MSP430
target device.
NOTE: Only the MSP-FET and the MSP-FET430UIF support JTAG access protection to disable
JTAG access.
For more details how the JTAG access protection mechanism is implemented refer to the
"JTAG Access Protection" section in MSP430 Programming With the JTAG Interface.
JTAG fuse
• Available on 1xx, 2xx, and 4xx families (except FRxx and I20xx devices)
• Applying a high voltage to test the TEST pin of the MSP430 target device blows an actual physical
polyfuse and disables the JTAG interface.
JTAG lock without password (eFuse/"soft" fuse)
• Available on 5xx, 6xx, and FRxx families
• A certain lock pattern is written into the MSP430 target memory to disable the JTAG interface.
JTAG lock with password
• Available only FRxx families
• A user-defined password can disable JTAG access to the MSP430 target device.
• Using CCS, EW430, or the MSP Flasher, applying the configured password to the MSP430 target
restores JTAG access
Memory protection by custom startup code (SUC)
• Available on only the i20xx family (for example, the MSP430i2040 device)
• Custom startup code can enable or disable JTAG access to the MSP430i20xx target device.
DAP (Debug Access Port) lock
• Available on MSP432P401x family – Locks JTAG/SWD connection to MSP432P401x device
• Execute a Factory Reset to unlock the Debug Access port.

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(4) Enable new device support by in field firmware updates
5.6 MSP-FET Stand-Alone Debug Probe
The MSP-FET (see Figure 10 and Figure 11) is a powerful debug probe for application development
supporting all MSP430 microcontrollers.
The MSP-FET provides a USB interface to program and debug the MSP430 devices in-system through
the JTAG interface or the pin-saving Spy-Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG) protocol. Furthermore, the USB interface
can be used for Backchannel UART and MSP target BSL communication. UART BSL and I2C BSL
communication modes are supported.
The MSP-FET development tool supports development with all MSP430 devices and is designed for use
with PCBs that contain MSP430 devices; for example, the MSP430 target socket boards.
Figure 10. MSP-FET Top View Figure 11. MSP-FET Bottom View
5.6.1 General Features
The MSP-FET debug probe includes the following features:
• MSP-FET is supported since:
– CCS v6.0.0
– IAR EW430 v5.60.7 and v6.10.1
• Operating systems: OS X, Linux, Windows
• Software configurable supply voltage between 1.8 V and 3.6 V at 100 mA
• External voltage detection
• Supports JTAG security fuse blow to disable debugging
• Supports all MSP430 boards with JTAG header
• Supports both JTAG and Spy-Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG) debug protocols
• EnergyTrace (MSP430 and MSP432), EnergyTrace+ (MSP432 only), and EnergyTrace++ (MSP430
only) support
• Software breakpoints in Flash, FRAM, and RAM
• MSPDS application backchannel UART included
• Target BSL communication mode available
• Flash and FRAM programming support
• Debug probe firmware field update is supported (4)
• Supports all MSP432P401x boards with ARM 20-pin and ARM 10-pin connector using the MSP432
Adapter for MSP-FET
• Supports JTAG and SWD MSP432 debug protocols

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5.6.2 Backchannel UART
The MSP-FET supports the Backchannel UART functionality only when using an MSPDebugStack
v3.4.1.0 or higher for the MSP-FET connection.
The baud rates that are supported depend on the target configuration and the debug settings. Table 2
shows which baud rates are supported with certain configuration combinations.
✓means that the corresponding baud rate is supported without any data loss with the specified
combination of settings.
✗means that the corresponding baud rate is not supported (data loss is expected) with the specified
combination of settings.
Table 2. MSP-FET Backchannel UART Implementation
Target MCLK
Frequency: 1 MHz 8 MHz 1 MHz 8 MHz
Debugger: Active Inactive
Flow Control: No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes
4800 baud ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
9600 baud ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
19200 baud ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
28800 baud ✗✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
38400 baud ✗✓✗✓✗✓✗✓
57600 baud ✗✓✗✓✗✓✗✓
115200 baud ✗✗✗✓✗✗✗✓
5.6.2.1 UART Backchannel Activation Commands
The MSP-FET supports two different Backchannel UART modes, one with flow control and one without.
The different modes can be selected by opening the corresponding COM port with a dedicated baud rate.
See Table 3 for the specific baud rates for each command.
NOTE: The baud rates used by these activation commands cannot be used for communication.
NOTE: The Backchannel UART is disabled until the COM port is opened with a valid baud rate.
If none of the specified commands are transferred before setting the communication baud rate,
communication starts with the default settings: 3.3-V target VCC, no flow control mechanism.
Table 3. MSP-FET Backchannel UART Activation Commands
Baud Rate Command
9620 Set all backchannel UART pins to high impedance – no current flow into target device
9621 Configure backchannel UART communication without handshake (default start behavior)
9622 Configure backchannel UART communication with handshake
9623 Voltage configuration command. When this command is received, target VCC is set to 3.3 V. After target VCC
is configured, it is switched through to the target device.

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5.6.3 Target BSL Connection and BSL-Scripter Support
The MSP-FET can be used for communication with the target device bootloader (BSL) through the I2C and
UART protocols. The activation of the different protocols is equivalent to the MSP-FET backchannel
UART. See Table 4 for command details.
The BSL-Scripter software implements support for these activation commands and performs the correct
sequence according to the communication interface (UART, I2C) that is specified in the script.
In MSP-FET BSL communication mode, flow control is not available, because this is not supported by the
MSP target device BSL.
UART BSL: The MSP-FET BSL UART mode supports the following baud rates: 9600, 14400, 19200,
28800, 38400, 56000, 57600, and 115200. For the BSL UART, 8 + 1 + even parity is used.
I2C BSL: The MSP-FET is always the I2C master, and the target device BSL is always the I2C slave. 7-bit
I2C addressing mode is used with a fixed I2C slave address of 0x48.
NOTE: If the MSP-FET is configured to support BSL communication, debugger functionality is
disabled. To switch to debugger mode, either perform a power cycle (unplug the USB cable)
or configure the baud rate to 8001. The BSL mode is disabled until sending a BSL entry
baud rate command.
The maximum I2C clock rate is 55 kHz.
Table 4. MSP-FET MSP Target BSL Activation Commands
Baud Rate Command
9620 Set all UART or I2C pins to high impedance – no current flow into target device
9601 BSL entry sequence and power up 3.3 V (UART BSL) – debugger is disabled
100000 or 100001 BSL entry sequence and power up 3.3 V (I2C BSL) – debugger is disabled
400000 or 400001 BSL entry sequence and power up 3.3 V (I2C BSL) – debugger is disabled
9623 Power up 3.3 V
8001 Activate debugger
NOTE: The MSP-FET I2C interface is a software I2C implementation, which always runs with a
speed of approximately 55 kHz. The four different speed configurations are supported for
compatibility purposes with BSL-Scripter and the BSL-Rocket.

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5.6.4 LED Signals
The MSP-FET shows its operating states using two LEDs, one green and one red. Table 5 lists all
available operation modes. An or icon indicates that the LED is off, an or icon indicates that
the LED is on, and an or icon indicates that the LED flashes.
Table 5. MSP-FET LED Signals
Power
LED Mode LED Function
MSP-FET not connected to PC or MSP-FET not ready; for example, after a major firmware update.
Connect or reconnect MSP-FET to PC.
MSP-FET connected and ready
MSP-FET waiting for data transfer
Ongoing data transfer – during active debug session
An error has occurred; for example, target VCC over current. Unplug MSP-FET from target, and cycle the
power off and on. Check target connection, and reconnect MSP-FET.
Firmware update in progress. Do not disconnect MSP-FET while both LEDs are blinking slowly.
FPGA update in progress. Do not disconnect MSP-FET while both LEDs are blinking rapidly.
5.6.5 Hardware
This section includes MSP-FET hardware descriptions like the JTAG connector, schematics, and power-
up states of the MSP-FET JTAG pins.
5.6.5.1 JTAG Target Connector
Figure 12 shows the pinout of the MSP-FET JTAG connector.
Figure 12. MSP-FET 14-Pin JTAG Connector

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5.6.5.2 MSP-FET Pin States After Power Up
Table 6 describes the electrical state of every JTAG pin after debug probe power up.
Table 6. MSP-FET Pin States
Pin Name After Power up When JTAG Protocol is
Active When Spy-Bi-Wire Protocol is Active
1 TDO/TDI Hi-Z, pulled up to 3.3 V In, TDO In and Out, SBWTDIO
(RST pin)
2 VCC_TOOL 3.3 V Target VCC Target VCC
3 TDI/VPP Hi-Z, pulled up to 3.3 V Out, TDI Hi-Z, pulled up to VCC
4 VCC_TARGET In, external VCC sense In, external VCC sense In, external VCC sense
5 TMS Hi-Z, pulled up to 3.3 V Out, TMS Hi-Z, pulled up to VCC
6 N/C N/C N/C N/C
7 TCK Hi-Z, pulled up to 3.3 V Out, TCK Out, SBWTCK
8 TEST/VPP Out, Ground Out, TEST Hi-Z, pulled up to VCC
9 GND Ground Ground Ground
10 UART_CTS/SPI_CLK/I2C_SCL Hi-Z, pulled up to 3.3 V Out, Target UART Clear-
To-Send Handshake input Out, Target UART Clear- To-Send Handshake input
11 RST Out, VCC Out, RST Ground
12 UART_TXD/SPI_SOMI/I2C_SDA Hi-Z, pulled up to 3.3 V In, Target UART TXD
output In, Target UART TXD output
13 UART_RTS Hi-Z, pulled up to 3.3 V In, Target UART Ready- to-Send Handshake
output In, Target UART Ready-to
Send Handshake output
14 UART_RXD/SPI_SIMO Hi-Z, pulled up to 3.3 V Out, Target UART RXD
input Out, Target UART RXD input
NOTE: To enable the UART, I2C or SPI pins, the correct invalid baud rate activation command must
be sent (see MSP-FET Backchannel UART Activation Commands and MSP-FET MSP
Target BSL Activation Commands). After this, the pins switch to the states in Table 6.
NOTE: MSP430BSL-SPI support is currently not available using the MSP-FET. The pin names used
in Table 6 are the same as the names that are printed on the back of the MSP-FET.

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5.6.5.3 MSP-FET HID Cold Boot
If the MSP-FET does not respond to software commands or firmware updates, a cold boot is the last
option to bring it back to operation. A cold boot is performed by connecting VBUS to the PUR signal of the
MSP-FET host device (MSP430F6638) with a serial resistor.
To execute this procedure, the MSP-FET cover must be opened by unscrewing the four screws on its
back (see Figure 13). Make sure that the USB cable is disconnected from the computer.
Figure 13. Open MSP-FET Cover
Next connect a cable or jumper to J5 (see Figure 14).
Figure 14. Jumper J5
Plug in the USB cable while the jumper is on J5. After boot, remove the jumper from J5. The MSP-FET is
recognized by the device manager of the OS as an HID-compliant device. Also, the green LED should be
on.
Start the IDE while the MSP-FET is in recovery (HID) mode. When prompted (see Figure 15), confirm the
request to recover the firmware and all following firmware update requests.