SLAU319AF July 2010 – September 2022
The password protection prohibits every command that potentially allows direct or indirect data access. Only the unprotected commands like mass erase and RX password (optionally, TX BSL version and change baud rate) can be performed without prior receipt of the correct password after BSL entry.
Applying the RX password command for receiving the correct password unlocks the remaining commands.
After it is unlocked, it remains unlocked until initiating another BSL entry.
The password itself consists of the 16 interrupt vectors located at addresses FFE0h to FFFFh (256 bits), starting with the first byte at address FFE0h. After mass erase and with unprogrammed devices, all password bits are logical high (1).
BSL versions 2.00 and higher have enhanced security features. These features are controlled by the flash data word located beneath the interrupt vector table addresses (for example, for the MSP430F2131, address 0xFFDE). If this word contains:
The user must take care of password update after modifying the interrupt vectors and initiating another BSL session. TI strongly recommends initializing unused interrupt vectors to increase data security.