MSP 430 EasyWeb
FEATURES:
MSP430F149 running Andreas' open source TCPIP stack
CS8900 LAN controller + LAN transformer and RJ45 LAN connector
Three status LEDs for the LAN
JTAG connector for MSP430F149 programming
low power RS232 driver MAX3232
two extension headers for MSP320F149 ports
8Mhz oscillator crystal
Dimensions: 76x60 mm (3x2.4")
EXPENDITURES:
MSP 430 EASY WEB - $ 100 (purchased from www.olimex.com)
USB Serial Port - $ 16 (purchased from Fry's Electronics)
Buttons (5 Inputs) - $ 20 (purchased from Radio Shack)
Total - $ 136
The compiler for this controller was IAR Embedded Workbench Kickstart for MSP430 is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The code size limitation of C/C++ compiler is set to 4 Kbytes for traditional MSP430 devices and 8 Kbytes for MSP430X devices with >60KB Flash.
Rough Schematic
These are the details of the original concept of the project using a micro-controller. The project would require the controller kit to be interfaced with buttons for I/O and LCD to display status. The chess program we developed was in C++. We decided to use an algorithm we developed instead of a chess CPU.
Diagram
Why our MSP 430 failed.
Actual output
Typical RS 232 output
While trying to load the program on the kit, there would be a large amount of continuous garbage displayed on the hyper-terminal. After going through the manual of the micro-controller, we came to a conclusion that the register shown above would be flagged to UTXE0, that is UART transmit enable which would allow us to output through the UART. During debugging, we realized that the flag would never switch off resulting in garbage values, or the kind of signal displayed on top. Our desired output would never leave the output buffer since it was locked.
