Take pity - I'm a newbie at embedded programming

I've got a prototype with a MSP430 on a header board.  I'm using the IAR
compiler and the TI "Flash Emulation Tool".    In Debug, the C-Spy debugger
downloads a binary file to the MSP430 chip.  Compiler Release mode, however,
builds a hex/Text file which C-Spy does not handle.  How do I download the
release program to the MSP430 chip?  (or do I not have IAR set up right?)

I'm also looking at making/getting a in-circuit debugger/burner. I've got a
3M SOIC test clip - now what do I do?  What other pieces do I need?  What
circuit diagrams?  Etc.

-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
DataGet & PocketLog  www.dataget.com
Data Collectors             www.baxcode.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Baxter schrieb:
> Take pity - I'm a newbie at embedded programming
> 
> I've got a prototype with a MSP430 on a header board.  I'm using the IAR
> compiler and the TI "Flash Emulation Tool".    In Debug, the C-Spy debugger
> downloads a binary file to the MSP430 chip.  Compiler Release mode, however,
> builds a hex/Text file which C-Spy does not handle.  How do I download the
> release program to the MSP430 chip?  (or do I not have IAR set up right?)

IIRC in IAR you can change, under project options, which type the output 
should be.

The hex/text sounds like Intel Hex file. I've not used IAR much really 
(too $$$, and 4k free limit is nowhere enough), instead I've mspgcc to 
compile and NoICE430 to program and debug. NoICE430 can program those 
.hex files, and it's pretty much an in-circuit debugger, too. Evaluation 
version at http://www.noicedebugger.com/ and info at 
http://www.noicedebugger.com/msp430.html I.e. NoICE430 supports the FET 
JTAG and also the Olimex JTAG. For newbie things the evaluation time 
limit is probably sufficient. Imagecraft sells licences but I don't 
remember how much one costs.

regards,
  - Jan

"Jan Wagner" <n...@thanks.com> wrote in message
news:ddtc6q$64o$1...@nyytiset.pp.htv.fi...
> Baxter schrieb:
> > Take pity - I'm a newbie at embedded programming
> >
> > I've got a prototype with a MSP430 on a header board.  I'm using the IAR
> > compiler and the TI "Flash Emulation Tool".    In Debug, the C-Spy
debugger
> > downloads a binary file to the MSP430 chip.  Compiler Release mode,
however,
> > builds a hex/Text file which C-Spy does not handle.  How do I download
the
> > release program to the MSP430 chip?  (or do I not have IAR set up
right?)
>
> IIRC in IAR you can change, under project options, which type the output
> should be.

What output type should it be for Release?

>
> The hex/text sounds like Intel Hex file. I've not used IAR much really
> (too $$$, and 4k free limit is nowhere enough),

The program I'm working on comes in at about 1.5K (debug).  I've got a
second program that's a bit bigger, but probably still well under the 4K
limit.

>instead I've mspgcc to
> compile and NoICE430 to program and debug. NoICE430 can program those
> .hex files, and it's pretty much an in-circuit debugger, too. Evaluation
> version at http://www.noicedebugger.com/ and info at
> http://www.noicedebugger.com/msp430.html I.e. NoICE430 supports the FET
> JTAG and also the Olimex JTAG. For newbie things the evaluation time
> limit is probably sufficient. Imagecraft sells licences but I don't
> remember how much one costs.
>
I'm going to need this for continued, maintenance support of this (small)
program.

> I've got a prototype with a MSP430 on a header board.  I'm using the IAR
> compiler and the TI "Flash Emulation Tool".    In Debug, the C-Spy debugger
> downloads a binary file to the MSP430 chip.  Compiler Release mode, however,
> builds a hex/Text file which C-Spy does not handle.  How do I download the
> release program to the MSP430 chip?  (or do I not have IAR set up right?)

If I'm not mistaken, C-Spy will download a hex/txt file.  When you
select the file from C-Spy, select "All Files (*.*)" from the "Files of
type:" box and then select your hex or txt file.  C-Spy should be able
to automatically tell the difference between your d43 and hex files and
download appropriately.

John Speth

<j...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> > I've got a prototype with a MSP430 on a header board.  I'm using the IAR
> > compiler and the TI "Flash Emulation Tool".    In Debug, the C-Spy
debugger
> > downloads a binary file to the MSP430 chip.  Compiler Release mode,
however,
> > builds a hex/Text file which C-Spy does not handle.  How do I download
the
> > release program to the MSP430 chip?  (or do I not have IAR set up
right?)
>
> If I'm not mistaken, C-Spy will download a hex/txt file.  When you
> select the file from C-Spy, select "All Files (*.*)" from the "Files of
> type:" box and then select your hex or txt file.  C-Spy should be able
> to automatically tell the difference between your d43 and hex files and
> download appropriately.
>
They must have changed something - I don't get a file selection box as you
describe.  I only have a "Debug" option on the "Project" menu (and a button
on the toolbar).  When I select the debug option, it results in an error:

"Failed to load the file "c:\<path>\Release\Exe\<MyProj>.txt"
 The file may be corrupt or in a format the debugger does not support."

The XLINK "Output Format" is:  "msp430-txt -- which is the IAR default.

I don't see anywhere to run C-Spy by itself

> > If I'm not mistaken, C-Spy will download a hex/txt file.  When you
> > select the file from C-Spy, select "All Files (*.*)" from the "Files of
> > type:" box and then select your hex or txt file.  C-Spy should be able
> > to automatically tell the difference between your d43 and hex files and
> > download appropriately.
> >
> They must have changed something - I don't get a file selection box as you
> describe.  I only have a "Debug" option on the "Project" menu (and a button
> on the toolbar).  When I select the debug option, it results in an error:

I'm talking from a slight disadvantage.  My IAR installation is 5 years
old.  Also I chose long ago to not use the IAR IDE.  It's a thin
alternative to using makefiles which I prefer over the IDE.  (Advice:
Understand your tool command line args.  It's where the "rubber hits
the road" and tool control is much simpler.)

Now, if things haven't changed much in the 5 years since I installed
the IAR tools, you should see an entry deep in your start menu called
"IAR C-SPY debugger".  That will invoke the debugger from which you can
select your download file (d43 or hex or txt).  IIRC, the debugger can
be launched from the IDE.  Perhaps the "release connection" to that
tool is weak in your version.  I don't know, I never used it.

I suggest you join the MSP430 group on Yahoo.  AFAIK, that is the most
productive forum to exchange MSP430 information.

JJS

<j...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> > > If I'm not mistaken, C-Spy will download a hex/txt file.  When you
> > > select the file from C-Spy, select "All Files (*.*)" from the "Files
of
> > > type:" box and then select your hex or txt file.  C-Spy should be able
> > > to automatically tell the difference between your d43 and hex files
and
> > > download appropriately.
> > >
> > They must have changed something - I don't get a file selection box as
you
> > describe.  I only have a "Debug" option on the "Project" menu (and a
button
> > on the toolbar).  When I select the debug option, it results in an
error:
>
> I'm talking from a slight disadvantage.  My IAR installation is 5 years
> old.  Also I chose long ago to not use the IAR IDE.  It's a thin
> alternative to using makefiles which I prefer over the IDE.  (Advice:
> Understand your tool command line args.  It's where the "rubber hits
> the road" and tool control is much simpler.)
>
> Now, if things haven't changed much in the 5 years since I installed
> the IAR tools, you should see an entry deep in your start menu called
> "IAR C-SPY debugger".  That will invoke the debugger from which you can
> select your download file (d43 or hex or txt).  IIRC, the debugger can
> be launched from the IDE.  Perhaps the "release connection" to that
> tool is weak in your version.  I don't know, I never used it.

Nothing like that now.   Searching the IAR directories on the HHD shows the
debugger is probably a .dll - there's certainly no .exe.  Note that running
the debugger adds a new menu (with several sub-items) on the IAR IDE.

>
> I suggest you join the MSP430 group on Yahoo.  AFAIK, that is the most
> productive forum to exchange MSP430 information.
>

I hate Yahoo - but it sounds like I may need do that.

My guess is that I just need to select a different output format from
XLINK - I just don't know which one (there's more than 50 listed).

-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
DataGet & PocketLog  www.dataget.com
Data Collectors             www.baxcode.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Baxter" <l...@baxcode.com> wrote in message 
news:1...@corp.supernews.com...
> Take pity - I'm a newbie at embedded programming
>
> I've got a prototype with a MSP430 on a header board.  I'm using the IAR
> compiler and the TI "Flash Emulation Tool".    In Debug, the C-Spy 
> debugger
> downloads a binary file to the MSP430 chip.  Compiler Release mode, 
> however,
> builds a hex/Text file which C-Spy does not handle.  How do I download the
> release program to the MSP430 chip?  (or do I not have IAR set up right?)
>
> I'm also looking at making/getting a in-circuit debugger/burner. I've got 
> a
> 3M SOIC test clip - now what do I do?  What other pieces do I need?  What
> circuit diagrams?  Etc.
>
> -- 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> DataGet & PocketLog  www.dataget.com
> Data Collectors             www.baxcode.com
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>

Came across this problem 3 days ago with Embedded Workbench 4.0. With the 
release version of the project selected, go to Project|Options|Linker|Output 
and select C-SPY output format. Also ensure that the debugger for release 
version is the FET tool.

HTH,
Cheers,
Mike 

Baxter wrote:
>>IIRC in IAR you can change, under project options, which type the output
>>should be.
> 
> What output type should it be for Release?

Basically any, unless you use C-SPY.

Of course you first have to Project, Edit Configurations, and select 
Release.

I just tested it with my IAR copy: if you want to program the Release 
version to the MSP430, you obiously need to change the project options 
to use the FET Debugger (not Simulator). Then set the linker to generate 
for example "intel-extended" format - that one the C-SPY can read and 
program. Seemed to work. I still prefer NoICE430, though ;-)

regards,
  - Jan

"Jan Wagner" <n...@thanks.com> wrote in message
news:de1tjh$kks$1...@nyytiset.pp.htv.fi...
> Baxter wrote:
> >>IIRC in IAR you can change, under project options, which type the output
> >>should be.
> >
> > What output type should it be for Release?
>
> Basically any, unless you use C-SPY.
>
> Of course you first have to Project, Edit Configurations, and select
> Release.
>
> I just tested it with my IAR copy: if you want to program the Release
> version to the MSP430, you obiously need to change the project options
> to use the FET Debugger (not Simulator). Then set the linker to generate
> for example "intel-extended" format - that one the C-SPY can read and
> program. Seemed to work. I still prefer NoICE430, though ;-)
>


"intel-extended" format seems to work - thanks.

Confusing as hell to a newbie - format options ranged from "aomf80196" to
"zax-m"  (literally).

I may eventually move to a different compiler, and possibly NoICE - but
right now, I just got a couple programs to maintain - and possibly move to
interfacing with new hardware (IOW - minor changes).

Next question is how to set up for in-circuit debugging using the 3M SOIC
Test Clip.


-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
DataGet & PocketLog  www.dataget.com
Data Collectors             www.baxcode.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------