I finally got a regulated plugpack and that fixed the problem with the PC crashing. Now I get on with the coding!

Thanks to all for their help. It was invaluable.

Peter

From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Sunday, 22 February 2015 3:18 PM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

Hi Peter, I would suspect the wall wart as the issue. i seem to recall somebody else with a similar problem that went away when they replaced the wall awrt with a well regulated supply.

When I worked with the Telit 865 module I used a boost regulator with an Li-poly capable of delivering 4A continuous. It wasn't a large battery. That was for portability though as I didn't want to be tied to a vehicle supply.

The SBW is the Spy By Wire interface used on a lot of the smaller parts. I rarely need to go to large parts unless I need lots of I/O, and this fits in fine.

Al

On 22/02/2015 1:02 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:

Hi Al

My difference in Vcc is very small as noted below. But I agree it is something between the 2 supplies that is causing the problem, as Emmett alluded to. I will try his suggestions and see how it goes.

What is the SBW dongle you refer to in your email?

Thanks

Peter

From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Saturday, 21 February 2015 9:55 PM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

I haven't used a FET board for a while, but I recall thaqt several of them used to have this issue if there was a slight difference in Vcc levels, very slight. The same doesn't occur with the SBW dongles, they live quite happily with joint supplies and a 0.6V differecne in Vcc, though I wouldn't recommend this. I can't find my FET documentation at the moment, but I seem to recall there was a resistor you could change that would allow the FET board to handle this.

Al

On 21/02/2015 3:42 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:

I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR EW6.5 and a MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28 connected to the FET module and 4 wires going to my target board (Vcc, ground, Test, RST). I have used this sort of setup many times. My target board has a 12V input and it generates 11volts to be used on board to generate 3.3V and a few other DC voltages. When I connect the cable from the PW28 board I can program the board and run it. If I connect the 12 volts to my target board the IAR crashes and I have to turn my PC off and on. When the 12V is not on the Vcc is 3.32V and if I have the 12V connected and no FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I cannot see any shorts to ground and the whole target board draws 17mA when no high power devices are connected (3G modem). I can program in a led flash and this will work with no 12V connected. If I remove the FET and apply power the fled will flash. It seems the program runs but it will not download the program when I have the 12V connected. I checked the notes from TI and can see no hints as to what is happening.

Any suggestions?

TIA

Peter

Beginning Microcontrollers with the MSP430

I use the FET for devices without the SBW, but prefer to use the SBW if
I can, it vastly simplifies development in many respects, as it is less
tempermental than the FET. It used to only be fitted to the 22xx family
down, but now is making it's way onto some of the newer larger parts
including the FRAM parts like the 100 pin FR6989

Al

On 23/02/2015 3:00 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:
> Hi Al
>
> Sorry I was not clear. What do you use to load your program into the
> MCU and to debug it. As far as I can see TI have the Launchpad and the
> MSP-FET emulator. There are a few others from Olimex and other companies.
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
>
> *From:*m... [mailto:m...]
> *Sent:* Monday, 23 February 2015 11:12 AM
> *To:* m...
> *Subject:* Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming
>
> Hi Peter I rarely use the FET boards, and only very occasionally the
> Launchpads. Mostly I find that I have boards of my own that are
> sufficiently close to what I need and they have expansion capability
> that allows me to test a new circuit or sensor. Typically I might get
> a free EVK for a component (or buy one from Sparkfun or the
> manufacturer if I really have to) to test a new part out but for more
> complex circuits I build a few prototypes.
>
> For example when I was working on an asset tracker with long battery
> life (2-4 years) I used an existing board with 9 axis motion sensor
> and pressure sensor and bought the Telit 865 board from Sparkfun for
> the GSM modem, but when I was working on a vibration logger I used the
> 2618 EVK because it had the SD card on board.
>
> Al
>
> On 23/02/2015 12:11 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au
> [msp430] wrote:
>
> Hi Al,
>
> That is what I thought. But I only had unregulated ones in stock.
> I will pick up one this morning and see how it goes.
>
> I am using SBW but still using the MSP430-FETUIF. Do you use the
> same or is it a launchpad device? I would like to get a more
> reliable emulator than this.
>
> Cheers
>
> Peter
>
> *From:*m...
> [mailto:m...]
> *Sent:* Sunday, 22 February 2015 3:18 PM
> *To:* m...
> *Subject:* Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming
>
> Hi Peter, I would suspect the wall wart as the issue. i seem to
> recall somebody else with a similar problem that went away when
> they replaced the wall awrt with a well regulated supply.
>
> When I worked with the Telit 865 module I used a boost regulator
> with an Li-poly capable of delivering 4A continuous. It wasn't a
> large battery. That was for portability though as I didn't want to
> be tied to a vehicle supply.
>
> The SBW is the Spy By Wire interface used on a lot of the smaller
> parts. I rarely need to go to large parts unless I need lots of
> I/O, and this fits in fine.
>
> Al
>
> On 22/02/2015 1:02 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au
> [msp430] wrote:
>
> Hi Al
>
> My difference in Vcc is very small as noted below. But I agree
> it is something between the 2 supplies that is causing the
> problem, as Emmett alluded to. I will try his suggestions and
> see how it goes.
>
> What is the SBW dongle you refer to in your email?
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
>
> *From:*m...
> [mailto:m...]
> *Sent:* Saturday, 21 February 2015 9:55 PM
> *To:* m...
> *Subject:* Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming
>
> I haven't used a FET board for a while, but I recall thaqt
> several of them used to have this issue if there was a slight
> difference in Vcc levels, very slight. The same doesn't occur
> with the SBW dongles, they live quite happily with joint
> supplies and a 0.6V differecne in Vcc, though I wouldn't
> recommend this. I can't find my FET documentation at the
> moment, but I seem to recall there was a resistor you could
> change that would allow the FET board to handle this.
>
> Al
>
> On 21/02/2015 3:42 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au
> [msp430] wrote:
>
> I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR
> EW6.5 and a MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28
> connected to the FET module and 4 wires going to my target
> board (Vcc, ground, Test, RST). I have used this sort of
> setup many times. My target board has a 12V input and it
> generates 11volts to be used on board to generate 3.3V and
> a few other DC voltages. When I connect the cable from the
> PW28 board I can program the board and run it. If I
> connect the 12 volts to my target board the IAR crashes
> and I have to turn my PC off and on. When the 12V is not
> on the Vcc is 3.32V and if I have the 12V connected and no
> FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I cannot see any shorts to ground
> and the whole target board draws 17mA when no high power
> devices are connected (3G modem). I can program in a led
> flash and this will work with no 12V connected. If I
> remove the FET and apply power the fled will flash. It
> seems the program runs but it will not download the
> program when I have the 12V connected. I checked the notes
> from TI and can see no hints as to what is happening.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> TIA
>
> Peter
>

Hi Al

Sorry I was not clear. What do you use to load your program into the MCU and to debug it. As far as I can see TI have the Launchpad and the MSP-FET emulator. There are a few others from Olimex and other companies.

Thanks

Peter

From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Monday, 23 February 2015 11:12 AM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

Hi Peter I rarely use the FET boards, and only very occasionally the Launchpads. Mostly I find that I have boards of my own that are sufficiently close to what I need and they have expansion capability that allows me to test a new circuit or sensor. Typically I might get a free EVK for a component (or buy one from Sparkfun or the manufacturer if I really have to) to test a new part out but for more complex circuits I build a few prototypes.

For example when I was working on an asset tracker with long battery life (2-4 years) I used an existing board with 9 axis motion sensor and pressure sensor and bought the Telit 865 board from Sparkfun for the GSM modem, but when I was working on a vibration logger I used the 2618 EVK because it had the SD card on board.

Al

On 23/02/2015 12:11 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:

Hi Al,

That is what I thought. But I only had unregulated ones in stock. I will pick up one this morning and see how it goes.

I am using SBW but still using the MSP430-FETUIF. Do you use the same or is it a launchpad device? I would like to get a more reliable emulator than this.

Cheers

Peter

From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Sunday, 22 February 2015 3:18 PM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

Hi Peter, I would suspect the wall wart as the issue. i seem to recall somebody else with a similar problem that went away when they replaced the wall awrt with a well regulated supply.

When I worked with the Telit 865 module I used a boost regulator with an Li-poly capable of delivering 4A continuous. It wasn't a large battery. That was for portability though as I didn't want to be tied to a vehicle supply.

The SBW is the Spy By Wire interface used on a lot of the smaller parts. I rarely need to go to large parts unless I need lots of I/O, and this fits in fine.

Al

On 22/02/2015 1:02 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:

Hi Al

My difference in Vcc is very small as noted below. But I agree it is something between the 2 supplies that is causing the problem, as Emmett alluded to. I will try his suggestions and see how it goes.

What is the SBW dongle you refer to in your email?

Thanks

Peter

From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Saturday, 21 February 2015 9:55 PM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

I haven't used a FET board for a while, but I recall thaqt several of them used to have this issue if there was a slight difference in Vcc levels, very slight. The same doesn't occur with the SBW dongles, they live quite happily with joint supplies and a 0.6V differecne in Vcc, though I wouldn't recommend this. I can't find my FET documentation at the moment, but I seem to recall there was a resistor you could change that would allow the FET board to handle this.

Al

On 21/02/2015 3:42 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:

I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR EW6.5 and a MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28 connected to the FET module and 4 wires going to my target board (Vcc, ground, Test, RST). I have used this sort of setup many times. My target board has a 12V input and it generates 11volts to be used on board to generate 3.3V and a few other DC voltages. When I connect the cable from the PW28 board I can program the board and run it. If I connect the 12 volts to my target board the IAR crashes and I have to turn my PC off and on. When the 12V is not on the Vcc is 3.32V and if I have the 12V connected and no FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I cannot see any shorts to ground and the whole target board draws 17mA when no high power devices are connected (3G modem). I can program in a led flash and this will work with no 12V connected. If I remove the FET and apply power the fled will flash. It seems the program runs but it will not download the program when I have the 12V connected. I checked the notes from TI and can see no hints as to what is happening.

Any suggestions?

TIA

Peter

Hi Peter I rarely use the FET boards, and only very occasionally the
Launchpads. Mostly I find that I have boards of my own that are
sufficiently close to what I need and they have expansion capability
that allows me to test a new circuit or sensor. Typically I might get a
free EVK for a component (or buy one from Sparkfun or the manufacturer
if I really have to) to test a new part out but for more complex
circuits I build a few prototypes.

For example when I was working on an asset tracker with long battery
life (2-4 years) I used an existing board with 9 axis motion sensor and
pressure sensor and bought the Telit 865 board from Sparkfun for the GSM
modem, but when I was working on a vibration logger I used the 2618 EVK
because it had the SD card on board.

Al

On 23/02/2015 12:11 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:
> Hi Al,
>
> That is what I thought. But I only had unregulated ones in stock. I
> will pick up one this morning and see how it goes.
>
> I am using SBW but still using the MSP430-FETUIF. Do you use the same
> or is it a launchpad device? I would like to get a more reliable
> emulator than this.
>
> Cheers
>
> Peter
>
> *From:*m... [mailto:m...]
> *Sent:* Sunday, 22 February 2015 3:18 PM
> *To:* m...
> *Subject:* Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming
>
> Hi Peter, I would suspect the wall wart as the issue. i seem to recall
> somebody else with a similar problem that went away when they replaced
> the wall awrt with a well regulated supply.
>
> When I worked with the Telit 865 module I used a boost regulator with
> an Li-poly capable of delivering 4A continuous. It wasn't a large
> battery. That was for portability though as I didn't want to be tied
> to a vehicle supply.
>
> The SBW is the Spy By Wire interface used on a lot of the smaller
> parts. I rarely need to go to large parts unless I need lots of I/O,
> and this fits in fine.
>
> Al
>
> On 22/02/2015 1:02 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au
> [msp430] wrote:
>
> Hi Al
>
> My difference in Vcc is very small as noted below. But I agree it
> is something between the 2 supplies that is causing the problem,
> as Emmett alluded to. I will try his suggestions and see how it goes.
>
> What is the SBW dongle you refer to in your email?
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
>
> *From:*m...
> [mailto:m...]
> *Sent:* Saturday, 21 February 2015 9:55 PM
> *To:* m...
> *Subject:* Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming
>
> I haven't used a FET board for a while, but I recall thaqt several
> of them used to have this issue if there was a slight difference
> in Vcc levels, very slight. The same doesn't occur with the SBW
> dongles, they live quite happily with joint supplies and a 0.6V
> differecne in Vcc, though I wouldn't recommend this. I can't find
> my FET documentation at the moment, but I seem to recall there was
> a resistor you could change that would allow the FET board to
> handle this.
>
> Al
>
> On 21/02/2015 3:42 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au
> [msp430] wrote:
>
> I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR
> EW6.5 and a MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28 connected to
> the FET module and 4 wires going to my target board (Vcc,
> ground, Test, RST). I have used this sort of setup many times.
> My target board has a 12V input and it generates 11volts to be
> used on board to generate 3.3V and a few other DC voltages.
> When I connect the cable from the PW28 board I can program the
> board and run it. If I connect the 12 volts to my target board
> the IAR crashes and I have to turn my PC off and on. When the
> 12V is not on the Vcc is 3.32V and if I have the 12V connected
> and no FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I cannot see any shorts to ground
> and the whole target board draws 17mA when no high power
> devices are connected (3G modem). I can program in a led flash
> and this will work with no 12V connected. If I remove the FET
> and apply power the fled will flash. It seems the program runs
> but it will not download the program when I have the 12V
> connected. I checked the notes from TI and can see no hints as
> to what is happening.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> TIA
>
> Peter
>

Hi Al,

That is what I thought. But I only had unregulated ones in stock. I will pick up one this morning and see how it goes.

I am using SBW but still using the MSP430-FETUIF. Do you use the same or is it a launchpad device? I would like to get a more reliable emulator than this.

Cheers

Peter

From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Sunday, 22 February 2015 3:18 PM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

Hi Peter, I would suspect the wall wart as the issue. i seem to recall somebody else with a similar problem that went away when they replaced the wall awrt with a well regulated supply.

When I worked with the Telit 865 module I used a boost regulator with an Li-poly capable of delivering 4A continuous. It wasn't a large battery. That was for portability though as I didn't want to be tied to a vehicle supply.

The SBW is the Spy By Wire interface used on a lot of the smaller parts. I rarely need to go to large parts unless I need lots of I/O, and this fits in fine.

Al

On 22/02/2015 1:02 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:

Hi Al

My difference in Vcc is very small as noted below. But I agree it is something between the 2 supplies that is causing the problem, as Emmett alluded to. I will try his suggestions and see how it goes.

What is the SBW dongle you refer to in your email?

Thanks

Peter

From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Saturday, 21 February 2015 9:55 PM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

I haven't used a FET board for a while, but I recall thaqt several of them used to have this issue if there was a slight difference in Vcc levels, very slight. The same doesn't occur with the SBW dongles, they live quite happily with joint supplies and a 0.6V differecne in Vcc, though I wouldn't recommend this. I can't find my FET documentation at the moment, but I seem to recall there was a resistor you could change that would allow the FET board to handle this.

Al

On 21/02/2015 3:42 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:

I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR EW6.5 and a MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28 connected to the FET module and 4 wires going to my target board (Vcc, ground, Test, RST). I have used this sort of setup many times. My target board has a 12V input and it generates 11volts to be used on board to generate 3.3V and a few other DC voltages. When I connect the cable from the PW28 board I can program the board and run it. If I connect the 12 volts to my target board the IAR crashes and I have to turn my PC off and on. When the 12V is not on the Vcc is 3.32V and if I have the 12V connected and no FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I cannot see any shorts to ground and the whole target board draws 17mA when no high power devices are connected (3G modem). I can program in a led flash and this will work with no 12V connected. If I remove the FET and apply power the fled will flash. It seems the program runs but it will not download the program when I have the 12V connected. I checked the notes from TI and can see no hints as to what is happening.

Any suggestions?

TIA

Peter

Hi Peter, I would suspect the wall wart as the issue. i seem to recall
somebody else with a similar problem that went away when they replaced
the wall awrt with a well regulated supply.

When I worked with the Telit 865 module I used a boost regulator with an
Li-poly capable of delivering 4A continuous. It wasn't a large battery.
That was for portability though as I didn't want to be tied to a vehicle
supply.

The SBW is the Spy By Wire interface used on a lot of the smaller parts.
I rarely need to go to large parts unless I need lots of I/O, and this
fits in fine.

Al

On 22/02/2015 1:02 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:
> Hi Al
>
> My difference in Vcc is very small as noted below. But I agree it is
> something between the 2 supplies that is causing the problem, as
> Emmett alluded to. I will try his suggestions and see how it goes.
>
> What is the SBW dongle you refer to in your email?
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
>
> *From:*m... [mailto:m...]
> *Sent:* Saturday, 21 February 2015 9:55 PM
> *To:* m...
> *Subject:* Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming
>
> I haven't used a FET board for a while, but I recall thaqt several of
> them used to have this issue if there was a slight difference in Vcc
> levels, very slight. The same doesn't occur with the SBW dongles, they
> live quite happily with joint supplies and a 0.6V differecne in Vcc,
> though I wouldn't recommend this. I can't find my FET documentation at
> the moment, but I seem to recall there was a resistor you could change
> that would allow the FET board to handle this.
>
> Al
>
> On 21/02/2015 3:42 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au
> [msp430] wrote:
>
> I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR EW6.5
> and a MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28 connected to the FET
> module and 4 wires going to my target board (Vcc, ground, Test,
> RST). I have used this sort of setup many times. My target board
> has a 12V input and it generates 11volts to be used on board to
> generate 3.3V and a few other DC voltages. When I connect the
> cable from the PW28 board I can program the board and run it. If I
> connect the 12 volts to my target board the IAR crashes and I have
> to turn my PC off and on. When the 12V is not on the Vcc is 3.32V
> and if I have the 12V connected and no FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I
> cannot see any shorts to ground and the whole target board draws
> 17mA when no high power devices are connected (3G modem). I can
> program in a led flash and this will work with no 12V connected.
> If I remove the FET and apply power the fled will flash. It seems
> the program runs but it will not download the program when I have
> the 12V connected. I checked the notes from TI and can see no
> hints as to what is happening.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> TIA
>
> Peter

Hi Emmett

I have now looked closely at what I have and taken your comments onboard.

I have a MSP430-FET which is connected to a PW28 board and this is linked to
my target board with a 2 way ribbon cable. The PW28 board has its settings
on EXT with a 3.3 plugpack delivering the external power. My target board
has a 12 volt plugpack input which is used to develop 11.3 volts which in
turn drives a 3.3V regulator and a 3.8V regulator. I am running IAR 6.5,
Under these conditions the program crashes when I attempt to build the
project.
1. Remove the 12V input. Try a build - OK.
2. Alter the PW28 board so that the power is internal and remove the 3.3V
plugpack. Try a build - ok
3. Put in the 12V plugpack. Try a build - crashes. Restart PC
4. Try again - crashes, restart PC
5. Remove Vcc lead from cable that joins PW28 to my target board, 12V still
connected. Try a build - crashes. Restart PC
6. Check 3.3V delivered by my target board. It has some noise on it of
~50mV.

In the document SLAU278U it talks about FAQs and says there is a problem
when powered from externally (target board). It suggests linking RST with
pin 11 on the JTAG connector. I tried this but it still crashed.
My connectors are all short as I did have problems like this a few years
ago. Tomorrow I shall bypass the 11.3V regulator and power the 3.3V
regulator in another way.

Thanks all for the help

Peter
-----Original Message-----
From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Saturday, 21 February 2015 8:33 PM
To: m...
Subject: RE: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

I have many times used the SoftBaugh board with the MSP430F2274 that goes
with their MSP430 State Machine book with my students. Not always, but
often enough, similar non-operation happens when it is being supplied by its
wall-wart supply and the SoftBaugh USBP programmer. Occasionally, the PC
locked up and had to be rebooted. Since it was easy enough to remind
students to have only one or the other but not both sources of power
connected, they could proceed with the programming and then separately test
operation and measure currents etc.

I never investigated further.

My suspicions are that the two power supplies conflict, cause large currents
to flow, and generate noise that interferes with the digital signals.
Ground loops may also be involved and can cause similar noise issues.

Some (rhetorical) questions for you:

1. Do you ABSOLUTELY have to have both power-supplying devices connected at
the same time to accomplish your desired task?

2. Can you disconnect just the Vcc wire going from your FET to your target
board?

3. Consider ALL possible ground loops and breaking them. (Techniques may
vary and even include 2-to-3 prong adapters on the power cords since the
Safety Ground wire and the Grounded Neutral wire are sometimes both
connected to equipment cases either by design or accident or the case ground
is also the circuit ground, again, either by design or accident.) Ground
loops are subtle and, sometimes, are cleared without knowing what action
actually cleared them.

HTH

Emmett Redd Ph.D. mailto:E...@missouristate.edu
Professor (417)836-5221
Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science
Missouri State University Fax (417)836-6226
901 SOUTH NATIONAL Lab (417)836-3770
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65897 USA Dept (417)836-5131

In statesmanship get the formalities right, never mind about the moralities.
-- Mark Twain.
________________________________________
From: m... [m...]
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2015 11:12 PM
To: m...
Subject: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR EW6.5 and a
MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28 connected to the FET module and 4
wires going to my target board (Vcc, ground, Test, RST). I have used this
sort of setup many times. My target board has a 12V input and it generates
11volts to be used on board to generate 3.3V and a few other DC voltages.
When I connect the cable from the PW28 board I can program the board and run
it. If I connect the 12 volts to my target board the IAR crashes and I have
to turn my PC off and on. When the 12V is not on the Vcc is 3.32V and if I
have the 12V connected and no FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I cannot see any shorts
to ground and the whole target board draws 17mA when no high power devices
are connected (3G modem). I can program in a led flash and this will work
with no 12V connected. If I remove the FET and apply power the fled will
flash. It seems the program runs but it will not download the program when I
have the 12V connected . I checked the notes from TI and can see no hints
as to what is happening.
Any suggestions?

TIA

Peter

Hi David

My PW28 board currently has settings to EXT for the power so it is supplied
by a 3.3V plugpack. This will be the same voltage that is fed to my target
board. Following Emmett's suggestion I will soon find out whether this is
wrong.
Thanks for the help

Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Saturday, 21 February 2015 10:30 PM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

My memory of the 14 pin JTAG connector was of two different Vcc connections.
One provided power from the FET to the target while the other was used to
sense the Vcc level on the target and adjust signal levels.

A quick check of slau278u shows two signals:

VCC_TOOL
VCC_TARGET

VCC_TOOL provides power to the target while VCC_TARGET is used to sense the
Vcc level.

Having an external power supply connected to VCC_TOOL is just asking for
trouble.

--
David W. Schultz
http://home.earthlink.net/~david.schultz
Returned for Regrooving

Hi Al

My difference in Vcc is very small as noted below. But I agree it is something between the 2 supplies that is causing the problem, as Emmett alluded to. I will try his suggestions and see how it goes.

What is the SBW dongle you refer to in your email?

Thanks

Peter

From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Saturday, 21 February 2015 9:55 PM
To: m...
Subject: Re: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

I haven't used a FET board for a while, but I recall thaqt several of them used to have this issue if there was a slight difference in Vcc levels, very slight. The same doesn't occur with the SBW dongles, they live quite happily with joint supplies and a 0.6V differecne in Vcc, though I wouldn't recommend this. I can't find my FET documentation at the moment, but I seem to recall there was a resistor you could change that would allow the FET board to handle this.

Al

On 21/02/2015 3:42 PM, 'Peter Grey' m...@ozemail.com.au [msp430] wrote:

I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR EW6.5 and a MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28 connected to the FET module and 4 wires going to my target board (Vcc, ground, Test, RST). I have used this sort of setup many times. My target board has a 12V input and it generates 11volts to be used on board to generate 3.3V and a few other DC voltages. When I connect the cable from the PW28 board I can program the board and run it. If I connect the 12 volts to my target board the IAR crashes and I have to turn my PC off and on. When the 12V is not on the Vcc is 3.32V and if I have the 12V connected and no FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I cannot see any shorts to ground and the whole target board draws 17mA when no high power devices are connected (3G modem). I can program in a led flash and this will work with no 12V connected. If I remove the FET and apply power the fled will flash. It seems the program runs but it will not download the program when I have the 12V connected. I checked the notes from TI and can see no hints as to what is happening.

Any suggestions?

TIA

Peter

Hi Emmett

I do need the 12V input to my target board as it is used to supply a
switching regulator which supplies 11.3V. This in turn goes to another board
to be used to supply a 3G modem. This board is not connected. The 11.3 volts
is also used to supply a Lipo battery charger. It is on the same board but
no battery connected. At present my PW28 board is supplied by a
plugpack(wall wart) which delivers 3.3V to the PW28 board. The settings on
this are for ext power.

I am sure you are correct with the power supplies conflicting or some noise
interference. I have just noticed that the plugpack to supply the 12V is an
older unregulated one. On no load the voltage is on about 18V. I will swap
this for a regulated one. However, my regulator is capable of handling up to
35V. I have used this same circuit many times before without any problems so
it is probably not noise.
In answer to your questions
1. No I do not have to have both on. I will continue to have my regulated
12V in to my target board and remove the 3.3V plugpack and change the
setting on PW28 to INT.
2. I can disconnect this wire and see what happens.
3. These boards are not in a case yet, just sitting on the bench while I am
starting the debugging.

This does help me as I was starting to stall. I will advise the outcome.

Thanks for the assistance.
Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: m... [mailto:m...]
Sent: Saturday, 21 February 2015 8:33 PM
To: m...
Subject: RE: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

I have many times used the SoftBaugh board with the MSP430F2274 that goes
with their MSP430 State Machine book with my students. Not always, but
often enough, similar non-operation happens when it is being supplied by its
wall-wart supply and the SoftBaugh USBP programmer. Occasionally, the PC
locked up and had to be rebooted. Since it was easy enough to remind
students to have only one or the other but not both sources of power
connected, they could proceed with the programming and then separately test
operation and measure currents etc.

I never investigated further.

My suspicions are that the two power supplies conflict, cause large currents
to flow, and generate noise that interferes with the digital signals.
Ground loops may also be involved and can cause similar noise issues.

Some (rhetorical) questions for you:

1. Do you ABSOLUTELY have to have both power-supplying devices connected at
the same time to accomplish your desired task?

2. Can you disconnect just the Vcc wire going from your FET to your target
board?

3. Consider ALL possible ground loops and breaking them. (Techniques may
vary and even include 2-to-3 prong adapters on the power cords since the
Safety Ground wire and the Grounded Neutral wire are sometimes both
connected to equipment cases either by design or accident or the case ground
is also the circuit ground, again, either by design or accident.) Ground
loops are subtle and, sometimes, are cleared without knowing what action
actually cleared them.

HTH

Emmett Redd Ph.D. mailto:E...@missouristate.edu
Professor (417)836-5221
Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science
Missouri State University Fax (417)836-6226
901 SOUTH NATIONAL Lab (417)836-3770
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65897 USA Dept (417)836-5131

In statesmanship get the formalities right, never mind about the moralities.
-- Mark Twain.
________________________________________
From: m... [m...]
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2015 11:12 PM
To: m...
Subject: [msp430] Problems with IAR and programming

I have a target board with a MSP430FR5729. I am using IAR EW6.5 and a
MSP430-FETUIF. I have a MSP-TS430PW28 connected to the FET module and 4
wires going to my target board (Vcc, ground, Test, RST). I have used this
sort of setup many times. My target board has a 12V input and it generates
11volts to be used on board to generate 3.3V and a few other DC voltages.
When I connect the cable from the PW28 board I can program the board and run
it. If I connect the 12 volts to my target board the IAR crashes and I have
to turn my PC off and on. When the 12V is not on the Vcc is 3.32V and if I
have the 12V connected and no FET the Vcc is 3.29V. I cannot see any shorts
to ground and the whole target board draws 17mA when no high power devices
are connected (3G modem). I can program in a led flash and this will work
with no 12V connected. If I remove the FET and apply power the fled will
flash. It seems the program runs but it will not download the program when I
have the 12V connected . I checked the notes from TI and can see no hints
as to what is happening.
Any suggestions?

TIA

Peter