This board is an easily to use platform featuring the MSP430F5172 from Texas Instruments. This 4th generation MSP430 includes a 25 MHz core, a 10 bit Analog to digital converter, a 32 bit hardware multiplier, and a precision Timer D PWM capable of 4 ns resolution. It is the perfect device to build servo, control, or other PWM applications. This module is fully populated including the T.I. MSP430F5172 microcontroller.

The board was co-designed by the University of Colorado EE department to address some educational needs and also Texas Instruments.

710-0009-01 FAQs

• Does this board have the Boosterpack pinout and spacing on those headers?: As designed, the 'F51x2 board is not designed for booster pack compatibility. The boostpacks are designed to integrate with the launchpad board, specifically for the G series of MSP430's. The '5172 is a unique animal in the MSP430 family in that it has the timer D precision PWM, 25 MHz core, hardware multiplier and 5V capable digital I/O.

• There’s no USB programming port so you need one of the TI JTAG to program?: Correct, as designed, the '5172 board requires the FET430 USB interface. This was done to keep costs down and the board simple. HOWEVER: The SPI-bi-wire interface was implemented; if you have a launch pad it is rather straight forward to reconfigure the and jumper over the debugger from a launch pad to this '5172 board. If you recall, the launch pad has a row of headers at the debugger interface. You need only jumper over 3 or 4 wires to get this to work, depending on the power supply voltage used. Since standard headers are used on both boards, standard jumper wires that mate to the pins will work.