LaunchPad MSP430FR2433

The MSP430FR2433 is a welcomed update of the LaunchPad MSP430G2553. The MSP430FR2433 MCU features 16 KB of FRAM and 4 KB of RAM.

The Ferroelectric Random Access Memory, or ​FRAM, is an interesting technology that combines fast read-write (up to 8 MHz) like RAM with data-retention like Flash. 

The LaunchPad comes in a redesigned box with a USB cable, a single-page leaflet and a warranty notice.

Hardware

The board features a programmer-debugger with EnergyTrace, a reset button, a 20-pin connector for BoosterPack extension boards, 2 user LEDs (including jumpers to deactivate them) and 2 user buttons.

The programmer-debugger can be disconnected from the MCU by removing the jumpers.
If the external crystal is populated with the capacitors, surface-mounted shunt resistors need to be removed and other added in order to use the crystal as external clock.

​Both the SMD package and the small size (0603) for the resistors make this operation quite a challenge.
At the contrary, the super-cap is provisioned but not populated. 

​The Panasonic EEC-S0HD224H 220 mF recommended by the data-sheet was easy to find and install, thanks to the through-hole package and the clear indications for the polarity.
​
Jumpers select the use or charge of the super-cap.
​The Panasonic EEC-S0HD224H 220 mF has the standard white arrow of electrolytic capacitors, plus a minus sign graved on a pin.

Software

A new release of Energia adds support for the MSP430FR2433. Similarly, embedXcode supports the MSP430FR2433, including external debugging.

More professional development relies on Code Composer Studio, based on Eclipse.

Placing large arrays into FRAM instead of RAM is possible by using the specific macro PLACE_IN_FRAM. 

However, the FRAM is now write-protected by default, but this can be changed to write-enable with the following statement, as explained in this thread, in the  MSP430FR4xx and MSP430FR2xx Family User's Guide (slau445g) data-sheet and in the msp430fr243x_framwrite_persistent.c example from slac700b.
Code Editor

    









					
										
					
						




					
							

		
	





Pins Map




	

		
			

				
					
						


The board features multiple SPI, I²C and Serial ports. The I²C port on pins 14 and 15 is emulated and only provides master mode.




					
										
					
						





					
									

		
	







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Conclusion




	

		
			

				
					
						


Priced at USD10, the LaunchPad MSP430FR2433 is available for a limited time at USD4.30 after redeeming a coupon. 

​This LaunchPad MSP430FR2433 is a welcomed update of the MSP430G2553 LaunchPad. The only limitation comes from the packages: either BGA or QFN, they feature no external legs, making really hard to solder or requiring specific tools and knowledge. 

Let's hope Texas Instruments or a third-party provider will release a DIP-adaptor with the MSP430FR2433 soldered on.



					
										
					
						




					
							

		
	













	

		
			

				
					
						


Pros


  • 16 KB FRAM and 4 KB SRAM



					
										
					
						


Cons


  • Not hobbyist-friendly packages for the MSP430FR2433 



					
										
					
						


Wrap-Up


  • Great value
  • Welcomed update of the MSP430G2553 LaunchPad



					
									

		
	












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​This platform is supported by embedXcode, embedded computing on Xcode.

Posted: November 18, 2017
Updated: April 10, 2018; May 09, 2018