Embedded Computing
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Getting Started with the MSP430 LaunchPad

How to discover embedded computing? 

One major difficulty when trying to answer this question is the number of fields covered: electronics, computing, programming. Another difficulty is making the connections between those different fields.

Finding a good book is key to make the exploration easy. Getting Started with the MSP430 LaunchPad provides such a guided discovery.
Picture

A Progressive Introduction to Embedded Computing

The book offers a step-by-step introduction to embedded computing with hands-on projects. 

Each chapter starts with a project, introduces the concepts and then discusses them. 

I really like the progressive approach and the 26 projects, from a blinking LED to a more complex musical instrument or message displayed on a LCD. 

The different Energia functions are introduced with examples easy to replicate: digitalRead(), digitalWrite(), analogRead(), analogWrite().

Although the Educational BoosterPack is the recommended companion for this book, schematics are provided for the corresponding breakout sensors and actuators on a breadboard, as the buzzer, the microphone, the accelerometer ADXL335, the 2 lines x 16 characters LCD, ...

The book is fully illustrated with clear diagrams, pictures and schematics --alas in B&W. Please find the LaunchPad MSP430 pins map below in full colours.


Click to enlarge
Picture

The Perfect Start-Up Kit

This book, bundled with a LaunchPad MSP430 and an Educational BoosterPack, provides the perfect start-up kit to discover embedded computing.

One major benefit is the affordable price, less than USD47.50, including: LaunchPad MSP430 4.30 + Educational BoosterPack 24.95 + book 17.95. 

One nice idea would be a bundle with everything included.

Recommended Links

The major draw-back is the B&W used for the illustration, although the text refers to the colours of the pins.

Here are some useful links.
  • Texas Instruments LaunchPad
  • Energia
  • LaunchPad MSP430G2553 Pins Map
  • Educational BoosterPack Wiki
  • Educational BoosterPack Companion
  • Programs for the Book
Join the conversation at this dedicated thread at the 43oh forum.

Pros

  • "Play and Learn" approach
  • Plain English explanations
  • Progressive approach with 26 projects
  • Schematics for Educational BoosterPack and breakout sensors on a breadboard

Cons

  • Illustrations are in B&W, although the text refers to colours

Wrap-Up

  • Perfect start-up kit to discover embedded computing with LaunchPad MSP430G2 + Educational BoosterPack + Energia
  • When LaunchPad + BoosterPack + book bundle is going to be available?

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