Every MSP430 chip has a JT AG inter¬face that is used for downloading the user program into the Flash memory of the microcontroller and running and debugging the code. For this, the following tools are required:

1. Development software that resides in the Pc. These are typically called integrated development envi¬ronments (IDEs). Following choices are available:

(a) JAR Embedded Workbench Kick¬start version. This freeware from IAR Systems is sufficient for developing simple programs in 'C' with size limit of 4 kB. However, there is no such limitation for code development in Assembly language. A screens hot of a typical IAR embedded workbench environment is shown in.

(b) Code Composer Essentials Evaluation. This freeware from Texas Instruments is based on industry-standard Eclipse open-source platform. You can use it to develop code up to 8kB size.

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Either of the above software can be downloaded from Texas Instruments' website by selecting 'tools & software' option under the MSP430 ultra-lowpower microcontrolers section.

2. Hardware tool called tpe Flash emulation tool (FET). It connects the PC to the MSP430-based system. Two types of FET tools are available: One is based on the parallel port, while the other is based on the USB interface. 5 shows the blocls. diagram of the MSP430 development system.

The next section describes the construction of Flash Emulation Tool based on PC's parallel port called ParaFET, which can be used to interface with any of the MSP430 target devices.