Texas instruments Launchpad and MSP430 The Texas Instruments Launchpad Development Tool with the MSP430 Value Line Chip costs only $4.30. You get a development board, two of the programmable microchips, an oscillating crystal, a set of headers, a USB cable, and a couple of stickers, all shipped for free!
Here is a wealth of information on the device and getting started. If any of the words, phrases and / or diagrams seem alien to you, you are in the same boat as I am. When I get chance, I will share my learning. |
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The headers and oscillator are both optional and come separate to the board. Unfortunately, the oscillating crystal is surface mounted and tiny, making it very tricky to solder. The general technique mentioned online involves using tape to hold it in place while you solder. That didn't work too well for me, so I tried a slightly different approach. I put a little soldering flux on the pads on the circuit and melted a little solder on there. Then, I held the crystal with a pair of tweezers and soldered on one leg to the board. The second leg was then pretty easy to place as was soldering down the case.
It's worth noting that, should you wish to use the crystal, you should solder it in place before you add your headers as it would be even more difficult to solder it in place with them in the way.
If, like me, you plan on using the kit with a breadboard, you will probably want to use the female headers so that you can use jumper cables compatible with your breadboard without too much fuss. At first glance, the supplied headers appear to be male, but they do pull apart revealing a female header and a male header. I haven't tried, but you may be able to use the male header as a female - male adapter if you change your mind after soldering in a female header. It's worth noting that, although there are leads on both sides of the circuit connecting to the headers, they only have to be soldered on one side as the connection does run through the circuit.
Well, I've managed the initial soldering after covering my first crystal's legs in solder and slightly melting the chip socket with my soldering iron, Fortunately I ordered two of the sets and so had a second crystal at hand to solder. I will eventually try to remove the solder from the other crystal.
Once completed, there are instructions online to run a test program on the device. After a short while following the instructions to use Code Composer Studio 4, I had the code installed and running. Success!
Next I hope to learn a bit of basic coding. Being able to make a flashing LED app would be a great start. Check out my progress log on this chip to see how I get on and learn from my mistakes.
It's worth noting that, should you wish to use the crystal, you should solder it in place before you add your headers as it would be even more difficult to solder it in place with them in the way.
If, like me, you plan on using the kit with a breadboard, you will probably want to use the female headers so that you can use jumper cables compatible with your breadboard without too much fuss. At first glance, the supplied headers appear to be male, but they do pull apart revealing a female header and a male header. I haven't tried, but you may be able to use the male header as a female - male adapter if you change your mind after soldering in a female header. It's worth noting that, although there are leads on both sides of the circuit connecting to the headers, they only have to be soldered on one side as the connection does run through the circuit.
Well, I've managed the initial soldering after covering my first crystal's legs in solder and slightly melting the chip socket with my soldering iron, Fortunately I ordered two of the sets and so had a second crystal at hand to solder. I will eventually try to remove the solder from the other crystal.
Once completed, there are instructions online to run a test program on the device. After a short while following the instructions to use Code Composer Studio 4, I had the code installed and running. Success!
Next I hope to learn a bit of basic coding. Being able to make a flashing LED app would be a great start. Check out my progress log on this chip to see how I get on and learn from my mistakes.