From Texas Instruments Embedded Processors Wiki

The MSP-FET430UIF is a powerful flash emulation tool to quickly begin application development on the MSP430 MCU. It includes USB debugging interface used to program and debug the MSP430 in-system through the JTAG interface or the pin saving Spy Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG) protocol. The flash memory can be erased and programmed in seconds with only a few keystrokes, and since the MSP430 flash is ultra-low power, no external power supply is required.

The debugging tool interfaces the MSP430 to the included integrated software environment and includes code to start your design immediately. The MSP-FET430UIF development tool supports all MSP430 flash devices.

Contents 1 Features 2 Documentation 3 MSP-FET430UIF Troubleshooting 3.1 Software Version 3.2 Are you using a valid OS? 3.3 Hardware Self Test 3.4 2nd PC Test 3.5 Usage History 3.6 Custom Board Comparison 3.7 JTAG Connections 3.8 New Project Test 3.9 Device Manager Comparison 3.10 Still having problems? 3.11 References

Features

• USB debugging interface (MSP-FET430UIF) connects a flash-based MSP430 MCU to a PC for real-time, in-system programming and debugging
• Technical specifications:
  • Software configurable supply voltage between 1.8 and 3.6 volts at 100mA
  • Supports JTAG Security Fuse blow to protect code
  • Supports all MSP430 boards with JTAG header
  • Supports both JTAG and Spy-Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG) debug protocols

Documentation

• MSP430 Hardware Tools User's Guide
• Flash Emulation Tool (FET) (for Use With CCE/CCS) User's Guide
• Flash Emulation Tool (FET) (for Use With IAR v3+) User's Guide

MSP-FET430UIF Troubleshooting

Software Version

What version of the software tool are you using?

It is recommended that only the latest version be installed for proper functionality.

• IAR
• CCS

Updating to the latest version fixes bugs in previous releases and provides support for the latest MSP430 devices. Using the latest version will eliminate software variables as a cause of your issue.

Are you using a valid OS?

The USB FET (MSP-FET430UIF) drivers included with the latest IAR Kickstart and the TI Code Composer Studio IDEs support Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. All drivers are Microsoft WHQL certified.

Hardware Self Test

When your device is plugged in do the LEDs blink? The pattern should be RED-RED-RED-GREEN and then the green should stay on. This indicates that the device is receiving power.

If the above does not happen: Sometimes updating the firmware will fix this problem, but if not the hardware could be damaged.

2nd PC Test

Have you tried to install the same questionable USB FET on other PCs (using the installation guide steps in appendix C) of the Hardware User's Guide

If your FET works on a second PC the issue probably is a PC driver conflict with your first PC.

Usage History

Was the tool in question ever recognized by any PC? If so were able to successfully program and debug with this tool at any time in the past?

If the tool used to work but no longer responds it could be damaged, or the drivers could have a conflict with newly installed 3rd party software.

Custom Board Comparison

Are you using a TI target board or a custom board design?

Hardware considerations can be ruled out by using a TI target board, available for order at www.MSP430.com

JTAG Connections

If you are using your own board, does your JTAG connections differ in any way from the recommendations we give in the Hardware User's Guide, page 23 (4-wire) or page 24 (2-wire/Spy-Bi-Wire)?

If there are significant differences this could very well be the source of your problem. See the Custom Board Comparison topic above.

New Project Test

After the above steps have been performed please do the following: If you create a new project using the steps in the attached word document (IAR [1], CCE V3 [2], CCS V4) and attempt to load a simple TI code example[3], do you see the same issue? This should rule out software considerations.

Device Manager Comparison

You should have a virtual com port (VCP) entry like the image below under PORTS (COM & LPT) If it does not then right-click and reinstall.

Still having problems?

Please open a new request at TI Support & reply to the Service Request bounce-back email with:

• Comments/Answers to the above questions
• Screen image of the device manager & error message
• the newly created workspace and files using the steps above, back to us in a zip file so we may take a look at it. Please also send the answers to the above questions.

Once the above questions are answered we can identify and rule out any issues regarding:

• Driver Errors
• Operating System Incompatibilities
• Software Tool Updates
• Software Setup/Project Option Issues

References

• SLAU138
• IAR product folder
• CCS product folder
• MSP430 website

Leave a Comment