Serial to USB, plus power, for $4.30

upand_at_them · Jun 24, 2011

1. Buy a TI LaunchPad for $4.30.
2. Remove the TXD and RXD jumpers.
3. Connect your PIC, or other microcontroller, to the LaunchPad via the Vcc and GND headers, and the TXD and RXD jumpers.
4. Pass data at 9600 baud.
5. Enjoy.

I even tried it with Tiny bootloader and it works.

Also, you can make two "shields" for the LaunchPad from the supplied headers and a small stripboard from Futurlec (cut in half).

Mike - K8LH · Jun 25, 2011

Actually, with Vdd and Vss on the top two pins of the DIP socket, you could plug any 8 pin, 14 pin, or 20 pin PIC directly into the DIP socket, but you would need jumpers to connect to the Tx and Rx pins. The on-board regulator is 3.6 volts and the serial-to-USB bridge is only 9600 baud.

One caveat -- the only way I've found to get the USB driver on your PC is to install either the IAR or the CCS development system software.

Regards, Mike

**broken link removed**

upand_at_them · Jun 25, 2011

I didn't even realize that. I mostly use the 16f886, but that's good to know.

Here's my shield for it:

And unlike the Arduino, the LaunchPad headers are a multiple of 0.1" apart, so they'll fit any perfboard.

It's oddly shaped, because I was able to get two from a single small stripboard. You could make your LaunchPad project on this - or your PIC project and attach it to the LaunchPad for USB communication and power. (Note: the conductive strips run horizontal in this, so be sure you cut the traces down the middle so you don't short pins, especially Vcc and Vss).

Mike

nickelflippr · Jun 25, 2011

Did something similar, using some Arduino board stacking headers, proto board, and a medium breadboard. I think you can even buy a proto shield for the launchpad now.

Mr RB · Jun 25, 2011

I just realised the "$4.30" is from MSP"430".

I wondered before why they picked that particular cheap price...

upand_at_them · Jun 25, 2011

Yes, and they're clearly not making money off them. Their website says "plus shipping", but I've ordered two separate batches and shipping was free.

Kit includes:
* dev board
* 2 MSP430 chips
* 2 male headers
* 2 female headers
* 32k crystal
* USB cable

What a bargain!

Mr RB · Jun 26, 2011

Yep it definitely looks like a "loss leader" designed to gather new customers. And good on them, the value of the marketing dollars going directly to the little guys (ie students, hobbyists etc) who can directly benefit, instead of to wealthy marketing companies and media publications etc. You have to respect that...

bryan · Jun 27, 2011

Anybody from outside the US able to order one online, I tried and the website brings up a popup customs fillout form after filling out my shipping address etc. Filling it out and it sends me back to the checkout cart and won't continue??. Bug or maybe site doesn't support IE9 browser.

Vizier87 · Jun 27, 2011

I bought one too. Just received it today. Boy it's really cheap!!!
**broken link removed**

Can't wait to start. However, the CCSv4 I'm using is the Free Licensed. And it's stated that it's not for MSP430. I wonder if the Launchpad is excluded, since the tutorial doesn't specify the Licensing part.

Still lots of gray area here....

bryan · Jun 27, 2011

bryan said:
Anybody from outside the US able to order one online, I tried and the website brings up a popup customs fillout form after filling out my shipping address etc. Filling it out and it sends me back to the checkout cart and won't continue??. Bug or maybe site doesn't support IE9 browser.

Tried ordering from the PC at work and it seems to allow me, checkout cart must not be compatible with IE9

Mosaic · Jun 28, 2011

Link to the order page?

Mike - K8LH · Jun 28, 2011

Mosaic said:
Link to the order page?

I know it's difficult, but if you manage it, it's the 2nd hit when you google "ti launchpad" (lol)...

Triode · Jun 28, 2011

I just ordered one. It's a good deal, even just for the serial communication as the topic suggests.

Triode · Jun 29, 2011

That's odd, I already got it.

Vizier87 · Jun 29, 2011

Triode said:
That's odd, I already got it.

whoa. 1 day and that's all it takes, huh?

Mike - K8LH · Jun 29, 2011

Triode said:
That's odd, I already got it.

That's great Paul. Is it a version 1.4 board?

Regards, Mike

Triode · Jun 29, 2011

Yeah, it says Rev 1.4, what's the significance? I haven't done much with it yet but it's a nice little board, it's thick and it has little rubber feet.

MrAl · Jun 29, 2011

Hello guys,

So what kind of dev software do you have to buy to be able to program the 430 chips? How much is the cheapest version that actually works with them?

Vizier87 · Jun 29, 2011

MrAl said:
Hello guys,

So what kind of dev software do you have to buy to be able to program the 430 chips? How much is the cheapest version that actually works with them?

I downloaded CCS v4 (they have version 5 already) but you have to register with TI and all that. Also, it works with certain License which can be the free type. Also if you don't wanna use CCS (1.2 GB at least!!) you can download the Kickstart. As for me I just got mine two days ago, so from here I'll be asking guys here on how to code it.

A nice tutorial here by TI's engineer.

Vizier87

MrAl · Jun 30, 2011

Hi there Viz,

Ok i'll try to follow your questions so i can get an idea what i might need myself. You know they are saying that the dev environment is "code limited", so the question now becomes what happens when you need to write more code than it will allow for no cost? How much does it cost to upgrade the software to something you can use for almost everything?

Serial to USB, plus power, for $4.30

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