TI launchpad

[Modelworks]

Seems they underestimated the demand for the launchpad.
If you haven't heard ti wanting to grab some of the hobby market released the Ti launchpad.
http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index...G2)?DCMP=launchpad&HQS=Other+OT+launchpadwiki

For $4.30 which includes shipping you get:

LaunchPad Development board (MSP-EXP430G2)
Mini USB cable
2x MSP430 flash devices
MSP430G2211IN14 flash device 2kB Flash, 128B RAM, 10 GPIO, 1x 16-bit timer, WDT, BOR, Comparator
MSP430G2231IN14 flash device (preloaded with sample program) 2kB Flash, 128B RAM, 10 GPIO, 1x 16-bit timer, WDT, BOR, USI (I2C, SPI), Internal Temp Sensor, 8ch 10-bit ADC
10-pin PCB Connectors (2 male & 2 female)
32kHz crystal
Quick Start Guide
2x LaunchPad stickers
Free versions of IAR Embedded Workbench KickStart and Code Composer Studio (CCS)

DIP target socket supporting up to 20 pins enables development on any MSP430 Value Line device in a DIP package(N).
Built-in flash emulator connects flash-based MSP430 Value Line devices to a PC for real-time, in-system programming and debugging via the included mini USB cable.
The flash emulator can program all Value Line MSP430s, as well as any other MSP430 with the Spy Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG) interface, enabling complete scalability to higher end MSP430 devices.
2 programmable LEDs
1 power LED
2 programmable buttons (1 reset button)

That is a lot of hardware for the price. It is basically a mips starter dev kit for $4.30 . Just download and install the software and plug it up to a usb port, they even include the usb cable.

Youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0mGoRtYbyg

I was looking for some of these in stock somewhere I just found out that newark has them , 80 in stock when I ordered one. I use mouser or digikey normally and both are saying september before they get anymore. Ti must be really wanting to get these out, the shipping is costing them more than the $4.30 .
http://www.newark.com/texas-instrum...0-launchpad-value-line-development/dp/77R3863

 

[CycloWizard]

Thanks for posting this! I think TI is trying to get students and new developers into the market using their platform so that it will be the one they go to. I have used it before and it's a great platform for a huge range of applications. This is an absolutely ridiculous price, as one USB platform for the MSP430 was $20 about a year ago when I bought one, and this is a much better setup.

 

[PottedMeat]

I was looking for some of these in stock somewhere I just found out that newark has them , 80 in stock when I ordered one. I use mouser or digikey normally and both are saying september before they get anymore. Ti must be really wanting to get these out, the shipping is costing them more than the $4.30 .
http://www.newark.com/texas-instrum...0-launchpad-value-line-development/dp/77R3863

For half price ($2.15 + free shipping) use coupon: HALFMSPTOOL

Original Thread in OT: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2087617



I think TI uses Digikey for sample distribution. A few years ago I ordered samples from TI's website and they were sent from the same address/packaging as digikey.

 

[Modelworks]

For half price ($2.15 + free shipping) use coupon: HALFMSPTOOL

Original Thread in OT: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2087617



I think TI uses Digikey for sample distribution. A few years ago I ordered samples from TI's website and they were sent from the same address/packaging as digikey.

Oh well, already ordered from newark and it shipped.

 

[MotF Bane]

Just ordered, used the coupon code. Backorder until August, I have all the time in the world for it.

 

[PowerEngineer]

In for three; $6.45 and free shipping. Hot (highly technical) deal!

 

[Kirby]

Coupon code isn't good anymore, but at this price I don't care.

Thanks OP!

 

[bobdole369]

Coupon works, just ordered at 1230z

 

[Kirby]

Just opened the box.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Seems they underestimated the demand for the launchpad.
If you haven't heard ti wanting to grab some of the hobby market released the Ti launchpad.
http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index...G2)?DCMP=launchpad&HQS=Other+OT+launchpadwiki

For $4.30 which includes shipping you get:


That is a lot of hardware for the price. It is basically a mips starter dev kit for $4.30 . Just download and install the software and plug it up to a usb port, they even include the usb cable.

Youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0mGoRtYbyg

I was looking for some of these in stock somewhere I just found out that newark has them , 80 in stock when I ordered one. I use mouser or digikey normally and both are saying september before they get anymore. Ti must be really wanting to get these out, the shipping is costing them more than the $4.30 .
http://www.newark.com/texas-instrum...0-launchpad-value-line-development/dp/77R3863

$4,30 ?

That is a give away.
But i am at the moment fully occupied with ARM, wonderful stimulating offer though :thumbsup:

 

[bobdole369]

Got the expected backorder notice, no delivery estimate though.

 

[hans030390]

Are there any tutorials out there for this? I just got mine in. I've worked with an ARM microcontroller before, but I have no idea what I'm doing with this...

 

[CycloWizard]

Are there any tutorials out there for this? I just got mine in. I've worked with an ARM microcontroller before, but I have no idea what I'm doing with this...

I would start here. Check out the application notes and code examples. I may be able to help with specific questions if you have them.

Mine arrived last Friday but I haven't had time to set it up yet. I still have some programs I wrote for an MSP430 system I developed a little over a year ago that I can draw from if you want some more examples as well. The code does some basic math to convert an analog input to digital outputs to emulate an encoder. It's pretty straightforward, but I did a lot of optimization on it to run it as fast as possible on this particular device (I think it was an MSP430F2012).

 

[Colt45]

No one seems to have them, great price and idea though.

I have enough AVRs that'll I'll never use them all as it is, so I won't bother with this. Looks like a good setup for noobs to get acquainted with it though!

 

[hans030390]

I would start here. Check out the application notes and code examples. I may be able to help with specific questions if you have them.

Mine arrived last Friday but I haven't had time to set it up yet. I still have some programs I wrote for an MSP430 system I developed a little over a year ago that I can draw from if you want some more examples as well. The code does some basic math to convert an analog input to digital outputs to emulate an encoder. It's pretty straightforward, but I did a lot of optimization on it to run it as fast as possible on this particular device (I think it was an MSP430F2012).

I'm not really sure what to do with things from this website. The ARM microcontroller work I did was pretty basic. It was also for a class, so we had very specific instructions and goals. With this, all of the documentation seems to be very technical. Our class had documentation on our projects, which discussed what we'd need to use with the ARM CPU and how they work. We only occasionally had to look into the technical documentation. So, on top of needing a good way to learn how to work with this, I have no idea what I should or can be doing with it.

 

[CycloWizard]

I'm not really sure what to do with things from this website. The ARM microcontroller work I did was pretty basic. It was also for a class, so we had very specific instructions and goals. With this, all of the documentation seems to be very technical. Our class had documentation on our projects, which discussed what we'd need to use with the ARM CPU and how they work. We only occasionally had to look into the technical documentation. So, on top of needing a good way to learn how to work with this, I have no idea what I should or can be doing with it.

First thing to do is to try to program it to toggle the LED. This program might already be installed (it was on my earlier developer kit anyway). You need one of the programming environments (I recommend CCS). Fire that up, connect your device, select your device as a target, then try running some of the sample programs that are intended for the MPU you have plugged in. I'll probably have some time at the office tomorrow to set mine up, so I should be able to give more step-by-step instructions then. It's just been too long since I did it myself to recall exactly.

 

[CycloWizard]

Plug in the USB cable and let the software install
Open CCS.
File -> New -> Project
Select C -> Managed Make C/ASM Project -> Next
Name your project -> Next
Project Type: MSP430 Executable -> Next
Skip (click Next)
Specify the device variant (MSP430G2231 or whichever chip is on your board)

I got stuck at the last step because my CCS version is outdated so it doesn't have the MSP430Gxxxx devices... I'll post more after I get it updated.

 

[William Gaatjes]

First thing to do is to try to program it to toggle the LED. This program might already be installed (it was on my earlier developer kit anyway). You need one of the programming environments (I recommend CCS). Fire that up, connect your device, select your device as a target, then try running some of the sample programs that are intended for the MPU you have plugged in. I'll probably have some time at the office tomorrow to set mine up, so I should be able to give more step-by-step instructions then. It's just been too long since I did it myself to recall exactly.

Ah yes... ^_^. The first steps of a new MCU...
Leds and buttons. Then the serial port. Then the adc. All the other pheriperals. then the advanced stuff as for example interrupts...
Get to know what you are interested in. And fruits of labour you will reap.
Wonderful moments and then the "ramp up " starts...

 

[bobdole369]

FYI: I ordered my LP on the 7th from TI - fully expecting a long backorder. No sign of it yet.

 

[William Gaatjes]

I have a silly question perhaps ? But i have not a launchpad and a colleague of mine mentioned that there is no compiler ? Is this true ? Do i have to buy a separate one or do i get a stripped down version only working with the smaller versions of the MSP430.

I have been doing a bit of looking around and it seems that for calculation power i need the ARM. But when it comes to low power i am best of with the MSP430. My colleague mentioned a project where he got the current of the entire circuit down to 600 nA on average use.

 

[CycloWizard]

I have a silly question perhaps ? But i have not a launchpad and a colleague of mine mentioned that there is no compiler ? Is this true ? Do i have to buy a separate one or do i get a stripped down version only working with the smaller versions of the MSP430.

The Code Composer Studio I linked above compiles for MSP and other TI devices and is totally free. They don't ship a CD with this software because that would increase the cost by a huge amount, and it's a free download, so there's not much point really.

I have been doing a bit of looking around and it seems that for calculation power i need the ARM. But when it comes to low power i am best of with the MSP430. My colleague mentioned a project where he got the current of the entire circuit down to 600 nA on average use.

The MSP430 is indeed for very low power applications. That said, it can still do some calculations pretty efficiently due to built-in libraries that the compiler uses. A multiply takes 13 clock cycles and a divide takes 17, IIRC. Since they run at 16 MHz, this may not be fast enough for what you're doing, but it worked for my application.

 

[William Gaatjes]

The Code Composer Studio I linked above compiles for MSP and other TI devices and is totally free. They don't ship a CD with this software because that would increase the cost by a huge amount, and it's a free download, so there's not much point really.

Ah thank you. I have since my post been looking around and noticed there is indeed a free compiler / with IDE from TI and even an gcc version compiler for the MSP430. Your link which i overlooked pointed me to the same page.
^_^

The MSP430 is indeed for very low power applications. That said, it can still do some calculations pretty efficiently due to built-in libraries that the compiler uses. A multiply takes 13 clock cycles and a divide takes 17, IIRC. Since they run at 16 MHz, this may not be fast enough for what you're doing, but it worked for my application.

You are giving me to much credit.
I am just an autodidact hobby guy who is lucky to finally found a job where i am doing my hobby all day and where similar minded individuals can be found. We both once wrote in a few posts right here in the HT forum about AI and AI vision. I though by myself why not put the idea to the test. Why not build this idea in my mind. As such , yes i am going to a need a lot processing power. But at my work there is sometimes a lot of power needed. Since ARM based MCU's seems to be pretty dominant and is available from multiple manufacturers, it is the best way to go. And the Cortex M3 architecture seems to have everything the old ARM7TDMI lacked to make it the ideal embedded MCU. As such i am promoting it at work but in my personal life as well and afcourse a small part of that life is here on the forum. But the MSP430 seems to be the real winner when it comes to low power. A combination of the two MCU's on a circuit could do wonderful things.

 

[CycloWizard]

You are giving me to much credit.
I am just an autodidact hobby guy who is lucky to finally found a job where i am doing my hobby all day and where similar minded individuals can be found. We both once wrote in a few posts right here in the HT forum about AI and AI vision. I though by myself why not put the idea to the test. Why not build this idea in my mind. As such , yes i am going to a need a lot processing power. But at my work there is sometimes a lot of power needed. Since ARM based MCU's seems to be pretty dominant and is available from multiple manufacturers, it is the best way to go. And the Cortex M3 architecture seems to have everything the old ARM7TDMI lacked to make it the ideal embedded MCU. As such i am promoting it at work but in my personal life as well and afcourse a small part of that life is here on the forum. But the MSP430 seems to be the real winner when it comes to low power. A combination of the two MCU's on a circuit could do wonderful things.

TI makes some much more powerful processors, but I don't remember if they are in the MSP line. There are MSP processors which have hardware multipliers, but you'll have to poke around a bit to find which ones they are.

 

[William Gaatjes]

TI makes some much more powerful processors, but I don't remember if they are in the MSP line. There are MSP processors which have hardware multipliers, but you'll have to poke around a bit to find which ones they are.

That will come in handy. Thank you.

If you might need to go the ARM way someday and need calculation power :.
The new cortex M3 ARM architecture (Which TI has used in the stellaris line )
have a standard single cycle 32bit * 32 bit hardware multiplier(but with the limitation of an 32 bit result).
I think it is signed.
An unsigned 32 bit * 32bit hardware multiplier with 64 bit result.
And an 12 cycle maximum hardware signed or unsigned divide.
Also included :
Multiply and accumulation instruction.
Multiply and subtraction instruction.

 

[Modelworks]

The MSP430 design contest has some pretty cool winners.
http://www.designmsp430.com/

This design clearly meets the "Ultra-Low Power Challange"! Not only is it easy on the coin cell, but it meets a vital need regarding the target spplication. The microCanary is a small electronic monitoring device for people who work in potentially hazardous environments, such as mines, breweries, laboratories, tunnels, etc.. The user can wear it like a badge. It can be clipped onto attire, or worn around the neck. The basic microCanary device checks carbon dioxide levels, carbon monoxide levels, temperature levels, and the wearer’s heart rate (a separate BM-CS5SR heart rate monitor is required). For those interested the name (microCANARY), it comes from when miners used canaries to monitor the air quality down in the mines. If the poor canary died, it was time to get out.

But don't let the low power usage mislead you to thinking it isn't powerful.
Look at all the other projects done with it, you can download the source and docs.
http://www.designmsp430.com/Samples.aspx

The pocket scope done with just 1 MSP430F1611 to do everything including,sampling, function generator and controlling the lcd display. There are no other support chips needed except to convert voltages. So for a $16 chip and a few support components it can do all the below.

Pocket Scope
Weight: 200g
Size: 125mm long, 70mm wide, 35mm high
Screen: 128 x 64 LCD with LED back light
Running time of over 24 hours continues operation
Screen scaling from 2.0mV to 2.0V per pixel with a 1:1 scope probe fitted
RS232 serial port interface for downloading of logged data samples as well as
for code updates.
Code updates can be encrypted to the serial number of the device, and so
can be emailed to the end client.
2 ch analog inputs
50 Ohm BNC inputs for use with standard oscilloscope probes
1M ohm || 10pf input impedance
1Mhz bandwidth and 250k s/s
Maximum displayable input signal is ±30V with a 1:1 probe fitted, and ±300v
with a 10:1 probe fitted.
Maximum survivable long term input voltage with a 1:1 probe fitted is 500v
rms
8 ch digital inputs
Greater than 100k ohm input impedance
500k s/s
Short-term survivable input voltage of up to 300v rms
1ch analog output
2k ohm source impedance
Sine, Square and Triangle waveform output
Frequency output of 1.0 Hz to 59 kHz, menu programmable
Voltage output of 0V to 3.3V p/p menu programmable
Short-term survivable input voltage of 30v rms
1ch open collector output
220 ohm to ground on resistance
Short-term survivable input voltage of +24v DC