Why MSP430? / Development Kits
Below, the most common development kits are described and some links
to TI as well as to vendors of the kits are provided. Finally an
extraordinary cheap JTAG interface from a third-party manufacturer is
presented. These kits operate with the free kickstart software from
IAR, available on the website of TI. Also a GNU compiler is
available. There are a couple of sites concerning this compiler.
Please seek google with msp430 gnu search term.
lowest budget FET430X110
This is the $49 kit which is provided as an absolute entry tool. When
money is provided for purchasing one of the tools presented below,
this should be done. The other kits provide a true JTAG interface
module while this kit has its JTAG interface built in the KIT target
hardware. Consequently, further developments with own hardware are
not possible.
medium performance FET430P120
As mentioned, this kit comes with a true JTAG interface module which
connects between the PC and the target (but the module is not
IEEE1149-compliant - but in this context this is irrelevant). Since
this kit has the same price as the kit described below, this one
should be considered only, when one has the intention to develop
targets with the ´F12x-family only.
Contrary to the ´F11x-family, covered by the previously
described kit, the ´F12x-family provides a UART.
Note that the JTAG port is shared with some port pins (describe this.......).
best performance FET430P140
This kit is delivered with two MSP430F149. These chips have a quite
stunning set of features in a 64pin QFP-package. They provide 2K of
RAM and 60K of Flash memory. Note that the flash is not sized at 64K
because the linear total space is limited to 64K.
With this kit, one can develop a broad range of applications, also
for the whole range of less expensive chips. This is a matter of
target board development. Of course, a target board shall contain a
14-pin JTAG-port, or, when space is crucial, a less pin connector (at
least 6 pins), which then should be accompanied with an adapter to
the 14 pin connector.
LCD targeting FET430P410/440
(to being described)
Extra low budget prototyping opportunity
 Olimex
Inc. produces an own JTAG interface module and prototyping modules
which contain an MSP430 derivative which is mounted on a sort of
adapter PCB to DIP. The PCB also contains a JTAG-header. This
combination costs no more than $20-$30 and should work with the free
kickstart software from IAR/TI. The modules are available in the USA.
The photograph shows the ´F123 module fitting to DIP-28 ($11).
More information: www.olimex.com/dev.
The units are also available through a distributor in the UK: Taylec
Ltd. One might believe that this offer is the most cheap
development in the world. Anyone who knows about better offers
regardless which micro? Please contact us.....
TI-Kit information: http://focus.ti.com/docs/tool/list.jhtml?familyId=342&toolTypeId=6
European vendor: http://www.elektronikladen.de/prod-msp430.html
Additional information for hobbyists: click here.
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