Hi,

I'm considering trying the TI 'CC430 Sample Kit', aka Wireless Development Tool (EM430F6137RF900) with a CC430F6137, as a start to a wireless sensor net. On the TI store page for this device under 'Related Products' is advertised a 'MSP430 USB Debugging Interface'. Would this be what is required to communicate with or flash the CC430 from my PC? I have to believe that the 18 4x2 pin headers listed in the Sample Kit's parts list is for creating the connector header to allow communication between a PC and the Sample Kit board. Looks like I2C or UART could also be used if preferred. Has anybody here had a chance to try this kit? If so, am I far off with my assumptions?

Thanks...

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Hi Mike,

A bit late on your question, but I've been working with the (EM430F6137RF900). I've successfully used the TI USB-Debug-Interface (MSP-FETU430IF) with IAR Systems Compiler, MSP430 4.21.

I would first download and install TI's latest version of SmartRF Studio, as this will load many of the drivers required for the USB part in the USB-Debugger.

The SmartRF Studio is basically a PC GUI to the radio parameters on the CC430F6137. It allows you to do basic TX and RX with a second EM board and also defines radio parameters that you would use in your own code during programming of your own specific communication protocol. (e.g. Base Frequency, modulation tech., BW, etc).

You can also use the Kick-start version of IAR, but beware, it is strictly limited to 4k code size and will cause problem soon into your experimentation. However, if you are working specifically with the TI SimpliciTI demos (only) with the Kick-start version, you can set a parameter on the compiler (Project-Options-Linker-Extra Option)
"--k_version" with this parameter, the kick-start version will allow you to work with 16k of code.

There is always the Code Composer (CCE V3.1) provided by TI, which supports up to 16K of code; however, I've found that many of the demo software are focused to the IAR definitions; but you can get virtually all the code to work with CCE with a bit more effort.

I haven't had to much time to play with CCE, however, I do think it is inevitable, as I will eventually grow out of the limitation of the IAR platform, with out forking out $3K, which I'm not ready to do.

With regard to flashing from you PC, not sure this is possible, you can use a TI tool called SmartRF Flash Programmer which also works with the USP-Debug-Interface, and Flash the HEX code to the MCU, if you have access to that code.

OK, hope this is helpful, I went through steep learning curve trying to get all this straight, so I hope maybe this help you or other advance faster with this product.

Cheers,
Bill

PS: note that the PC side applications, IAR Systems Compiler, SmartRF Studio, and SmartRF Flash Programmer, will all test the USB-Debugger firmware before starting, therefore, it is Not Uncommon to see a message the first time you use the Debugger Interface that it needs to update/flash the ROM on the debug-interface. Just accept this update and allow the update to occur. After that your communication from the compiler interface to the MCU will appear directly through the Debugger interface.
--- In m...@yahoogroups.com, "mike_sousa" wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm considering trying the TI 'CC430 Sample Kit', aka Wireless Development Tool (EM430F6137RF900) with a CC430F6137, as a start to a wireless sensor net. On the TI store page for this device under 'Related Products' is advertised a 'MSP430 USB Debugging Interface'. Would this be what is required to communicate with or flash the CC430 from my PC? I have to believe that the 18 4x2 pin headers listed in the Sample Kit's parts list is for creating the connector header to allow communication between a PC and the Sample Kit board. Looks like I2C or UART could also be used if preferred. Has anybody here had a chance to try this kit? If so, am I far off with my assumptions?
>
> Thanks...
>

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