Using the MSP430 with the Robot
Powering the MSP430
Your MSP430 cannot take the 5V available on the robot or it will burn out! You have to use a part called a regulator that will take 5V in and output 3.3V. Mr. Evans has LDV33 regulators available - see the datasheets page for more information.
Programming the MSP430 In-Circuit
See Programming the MSP430 In-Circuit.
This tutorial was inspired by this youtube video.
- Remove your MSP430 from your Launchpad and place it in the breadboard.
- Remove the TEST, RST, and VCC jumpers from your Launchpad.
- Connect wires to the TEST, RST, and VCC pins closest to the microUSB connector.
- Connect TEST to Pin 17 of your MSP430
- Connect RST to Pin 16 of your MSP430
- Connect VCC to Pin 1 of your MSP430
- Connect the GND pin on your MSP430 to ground on your breadboard.
- Connect the VCC pin on your MSP430 to voltage on your breadboard - not more than 3.3V!
You're now ready to program your MSP430 in-circuit. When you remove the USB cable, it will run under its own power!
How It All Looks
Red Circle - decoupling capacitor placed across the 5V rail to prevent current fluctuation that may cause your MSP430 to reset.
Light Blue Circle - regulator that converts 5V to 3.3V to power your MSP430. Hooking 5V directly up to your MSP430 would burn it! See datasheet for more info.
Pink Circle - An MSP430! For this lab, it might be beneficial to place your MSP430 chip in the breadboard and use the Launchpad as an in-circuit programmer (see tutorial).
Purple Circle - Wiring the programming pins form the Launchpad board to the appropriate pins on the MSP430 (see tutorial). Note how there is no chip in the Launchpad - I'm placing it in the port on the robot purely as a holder.
Orange Circle - The motor driver chip! This allows your MSP430 to control the motors without burning up due to the current requirements. See datasheet for more info.