More up-to-date instructions can be found on the new TouchDRO Website here: https://www.touchdro.com/resources/adapters/diy/
Page Index
TI MSP430 LaunchPad Digital Readout |
Description
This controller is designed for Texas Instruments MSP430 Value Line LauchPad board with MSP430G2553 microcontroller. The latest firmware can read up to four iGaging Remote DRO and/or AccuRemote scales and supports directional tachometer input. Feature-wise it's identical to the Arduino-based DRO controller but using MSP430 has a few advantages. For instance, the microcontroller runs at 3.6V natively, so the scales can be connected directly to it, without any voltage dividers, etc. In fact the only other part required for this controller (in addition to the Launchpad itself) is a Serial-to-BlueTooth or Serial-to-USB adapter. Thus, the total cost of a minimalist build can be less than $20.
Pros
- Less expensive than the Arduino version
- Simpler to build
- Low power consumption
- Easily upgradeable to Mixed Scale or Quadrature version
Cons
- MSP430 Launchpad is [mostly] sold online, and might be difficult o source in some parts of the world
- Firmware upload process is less user friendly
Specifications
- Microcontroller
- MSP430G2553
- Clock Frequency
- 16 MHz
- Supported Scale Format
- 21 Bit (Shahe/iGaging Remote DRO and AccuRemote)
- Supported Axes
- 4
- Tachometer Support
- Yes (directional)
- Scale Refresh Rate
- 10 Hz (90KHz clock cycle)
- Tachometer Refresh Rate
- 1 Hz
- Position Update Rate
- 10Hz
- UART Speed
- 9600 Baud
Parts List
- TI MSP430 Value Line Launchpad kit
- BlueTooth Transceiver Module
- USB Phone Charger
- Four Mini USB Breakout Boards (optional)
Resources
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Build Instructions
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Troubleshooting