SLAU320AJ July 2010 – May 2021
The target MSP430 device is connected to the host controller/programmer through the 14-pin connector labeled Target JTAG, which has the same standard signal assignment as all available MSP430 emulation tools with extra two pins that can be used for BSL connection. The programmable target device supply voltage of 2.1 V to 3.6 V with step 0.1 V is available on pin 2 of this connector, eliminating the need for an additional supply for the target system The required Spy-Bi-Wire or 4-wire JTAG and GND must be connected. (On devices requiring the TEST pin, the TEST signal also must be provided from the programmer to the target MSP430 device.) Host controller in the REP430F is supplied from the VCC = 3 V, while target device can be supplied with the VCC from 2.1 V to 3.6 V. To avoid a problem with I/O levels, the REP430V contains voltage level translators between target device and host controller. Voltage translators are supplied from the host controller VCC = 3 V from one side, and from the target's device VCC (provided on pin 2 of the target JTAG connector) from the other side. That allows supply the target device with the I/O levels exactly as required by the target device.)
To enable programming of all MSP430 flash-based devices including a JTAG access fuse, voltage translators are used and MOSFET switches are controlled by the host MSP430. MOSFET Q2 controls Vpp on devices with a TEST pin; Q1 connects Vpp to TDI on devices not requiring a TEST signal. U8 isolates the host controller from the target TEST pin while Vpp is connected to the target TEST input, while U6 isolates the host controller from the target TDI pin while Vpp is connected to the target TDI input. U7 connects the host TDI signal to the target TDO pin while the fuse is programmed (for devices without a TEST pin). The host controller program includes delays, which consider a MOSFET switching time of a maximum of 1 ms. Q1 and Q2 should have a Ron < 2 Ω to minimize voltage drop during fuse programming. While the fuse is being programmed, a maximum current flow of 100 mA is possible for approximately 2 µs into the TDI pin (or the TEST pin, depending on the target device).
An MSP430 flash programmer system designed for a specific MSP430 target device or a system not implementing fuse-blow functionality may require fewer relays or no relays at all. The programmer system described herein was developed with the intention that it can be used with any MSP430 flash- or FRAM-based device, across all families, including all memory access functionality, as well as fuse-blow capability.
Never unplug the JTAG cable during an active connection to the target device. Make sure that the debug or programming routine is completed before removing the JTAG connection.