MCU Development Tool Redefines Ease Of Use

ti.com/ez430
Using the eZ430-F2013 development tool, the company predicts novice users will be able to evaluate its MSP430 MCU architecture in a matter of minutes. Additionally, the platform now provides seasoned developers with all the resources they need to complete an entire MSP430F20xx project from start to finish. The tool, offered in a USB-stick, also lays claim to being the smallest MCU development and evaluation tool available. On stick is an emulation interface board and a removable MSP430F2013 target board. Via a unique bi-wire debug interface, only two signals, power and ground, are needed to connect the emulation interface and target. The emulation board communicates with target-device emulation logic non-obtrusively, in-system, and subject to the same electrical characteristics as the final application. The target board makes all MCU pins available on a 0.1" though-hole header and includes an LED for feedback. Additionally, the eZ430 includes a IAR Kick Start Embedded Workbench IDE containing a debugger, assembler, and C compiler at no extra charge. Price is $20. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC., Dallas, TX. (800) 477-8924.

LEARN MORE
Texas Instruments is holding its fourth annual 430 Day at over 100 locations worldwide beginning in May. This free, three-hour lunch-and-learn event provides a detailed overview of MSP430 ultra-low power architecture and application solutions, new product updates as well as live eZ430 demonstrations. To register and learn more about 430 Day see the web address listed above. Free eZ430-F2013 tools will be provided to attendees.

See Associated Figure

Key Components|
Contained within the USB stick is an emulation interface board and an easily removable MSP430F2013 target board. Using TI's Spy bi-wire debug interface, only two signals – power and ground – are needed to connect the emulation interface and target. The Emulation Board board uses a TI TUSB3410 for the USB interface and a TPS77301 to provide 3V regulation to the system. The target board makes all 14 MSP430F2013 pins available on an industry standard 0.1 inch though-hole header and includes an LED for immediate development feedback.

The MSP430F2013 MCU (see block diagram) is part of the recently introduced MSP430-F20xx series, operating up to 16 MIPS in a robust failsafe environment with no external components. The MSP430F20xx series' fully programmable clock system is stable over temperature and voltage, providing wake-up from an industry-leading 500 nA standby to full-speed operation in less than 1 µs. Operating from 1.8 to 3.6V, MSP430F20xx MCUs allow direct battery operation and are available in a 14-pin footprint as small as 4 mm x 4 mm. A choice of converters includes an analog comparator for very cost sensitive applications, a 200 KSPS, 10-bit ADC for realtime signal processing or a 16-bit sigmadelta ADC for high-precision systems. All devices include an enhanced watchdog timer for high reliability, a multi-function 16-bit timer and in-system programmable flash for greater design flexibility and field upgrade capability. With 128B of RAM, a full-featured 16-bit RISC CPU and complete development in C, developers can reuse existing MSP430 instruction set architecture (ISA) libraries for faster time-to-market.

IAR Kick Start Embedded Workbench IDE containing a debugger, assembler and C compiler.-This is the same IDE currently used for all MSP430 MCUs, meaning designers can leverage existing code and expertise. To jump-start new projects, users can tap into over a hundred free C and assembler source code examples that are available from TI's website at www.ti.com/ez430.