2.1.1 Programming Using Interactive Mode
Use the following sequence to start the MSP Gang Programmer GUI and program MSP Flash Devices using the Interactive Mode:
- Click on the MSP Gang Programmer icon located in the program group that was specified during installation. Figure 2-1 shows the MSP Gang Programmer GUI in the Interactive Mode (see the Mode group in the top left corner). This window is used to select the target microcontroller, code file used for programming, power supply options, communication interface, and more. This window also shows the result of programming and any errors, if they occur.
- Select a target device using the MCU Family, then MCU Group, and then desired MCU Type.
- Select the code file to be programmed into the devices using the Open Code File button or pulldown menu: File→Open Code File. The formats supported for the code file are TI (.txt) and Intel (.hex) and Motorola (.s19, .s28, .s37). Code size and checksum appear on the right side (for details on how the checksum is calculated, see Section 2.1.13).
- Optionally add another code file to be programmed into the devices using the Append Code File button (check the box on the left to enable this option). This feature is useful for updating BSL firmware in 5xx or 6xx MCUs. The two code files are combined together to create one final code file. If a conflict is detected, a warning appears; however, if programming proceeds without changes the second code file overwrites the conflict area. Code size and checksum appear on the right side.
- Some MCUs (for example, the MSP430FR57xx) provide a method of disabling JTAG by programming a password to flash memory. The password should be specified as data to be programmed starting at 0xFF80 and up to 0xFFFF (where 0xFF80 must be 0xAAAA, 0xFF82 must be the size of the password in words, and 0xFF88-0xFFFF contains the password). The code file must contain password contents if you intend to lock JTAG using the password feature after programming. If the MCU is already locked using a previously programmed code file, then you must provide the password section (or entire old code file) using the Open Password File button if and only if the password section is different. Functionally, if the MCU is locked by password, the code file’s password section is first used to attempt to unlock the MCU. If that fails, then the password file’s contents are used to attempt to unlock the MCU. If both attempts fail, the MCU remains locked and JTAG access fails. Password file contents are not used to program the MCU.
- In the Target power group, select the desired VCC voltage and select if the target is supplied from the MSP Gang Programmer or from an external power supply. If targets are supplied by the programmer, then select the maximum current used by each target, 30 mA or 50 mA.
- In the Results group, select desired target devices to be programmed. After programming has concluded, a green checkmark or lights appear for successful operations for each target.
- In the Interface selector, choose the desired interface (JTAG, SBW, SWD, or BSL) and communication speed (fast, medium, or slow).
- In the Memory Options dialog (pulldown menu: Setup→Memory options ) shown in Figure 2-2, select desired memory space to be programmed. By default, the selected option is All Memory and it is correct for most programming tasks (Section 2.1.5 describes how to use the memory configuration window).
- In the Reset Options dialog (pulldown menu: Setup→Device Reset ) shown in Figure 2-3, select the duration of the reset pulse and the delay after reset. By default it is 10 ms, but other options are available if required by the hardware.
Following these steps creates a working setup that can program target devices using the MSP Gang Programmer. Click the Save Project As button to save this configuration settings. These settings can be loaded again later and modified, if necessary (one project holds one configuration). After saving the project, use the buttons described in the following sections to perform the desired actions.