How To Upload Firmware to MSP430 Launchpad

Sunday, September 15, 2013

A few months ago I posted build instructions for a DRO controller that uses MSP430G2553 microcontroller with a TI MSP430 Value Line Launchpad. Compared to the original version that used Arduino, the Launchpad version has a few advantages, such as lower cost and simpler construction. On the other hand, firmware upload process is not as user-friendly as that offered by the Arduino software. Fortunately, you don't need to install the full-blown IDE, list TI Code Composer Studio or even the MSPGCC tool chain. Instead the pre-compiled firmware can be flashed using a free command line MSP430 Flasher tool offered by Texas Instruments.