msp430-downloader
=================

Software to talk to the parallel port and USB JTAG adapters as seen with the
FET kits.


Features
--------

- understands ELF, TI-Text and Intel-hex object files
- download to Flash and/or RAM, erase flash, verify
- reset device
- upload a memory block MSP->PC (output as binary data or hex dump, ihex)
- written in Python, runs on Win32, Linux, BSD, ...
- use on command line, or in a Python script
- reset and wait for keypress (to run a device directly from the port
  power)
- TI/3rd party library support for USB JTAG adaptors (Windows only)


Short introduction
------------------
The tool is intended to be assigned to .a43 and .elf files.

Without configuration file a dialog box is shown, first to ask for the
programmer type, USB or parallel, and then the erase mode. These settings
and some additional options can be preconfigured in a configuration file.

The configuration file together with the binary can be bundled into a single ZIP
archive (extension must be renamed to .z43). The name of the configuration file
is irrelevant as the first one with the ending ``.m43`` is loaded. The binary
is referenced in the configuration file, its name must match.

Example configuration file ``downloader-demo.m43``::

    ##########################################################################
    # This is a configuration file for msp430-download
    # It shows and describes all available options.
    #
    # When used as separate file:
    #   - copy a binary to the destination folder
    #   - copy this file to the destination folder
    #   - edit configuration for your needs
    #
    # When used with a ZIP file:
    #   - as above copy binary and configuration file, edit config
    #   - add all files to a zip file and rename it with to a .z43 ending
    #
    ##########################################################################

    [modes]
    ##########################################################################
    ## Erase modes:
    ##   "all" or "mass"     erase all memory
    ##   "main"              leave information memory
    ##   "ask"               ask the user
    erase_mode = mass

    ##########################################################################
    ## Interface selection:
    ##   "ask"               ask the user
    ##   "1" or "parallel"   parallel port. hint: numbers: LPT1, LPT2 etc
    ##   "TIUSB" or "COMn"   USB interface
    interface = parallel

    ##########################################################################
    ## Program in a loop, so that several targets can easily be programmed
    ## Single run and exit if not set.
    #loop = Yes

    ##########################################################################
    ## Ask again before programming.
    ## Recommended if no ther questions before programming are enabled, so
    ## that the user has a chance to abort. It is forced on if "loop"
    ## programming is on.
    #ask_start = Yes

    ##########################################################################
    ## Fake the progress bar and increment depending on state, not depending
    ## on data. Automatically set if the USB JTAG is used.
    fake_progess = No

    ##########################################################################
    ## For developers only. Remove key or set it to "no" for releases.
    ## When enabled, some diagnostic messages are printed to stdout.
    #debug = Yes

    ##########################################################################
    ## Backend selection:
    ##   "mspgcc"            use MSP430mspgcc.dll
    ##   "parjtag"           use _parjtag + MSP430mspgcc.dll (not recommended)
    ##   "ti"                use MSP430.dll from TI ord 3rd party
    ## Autodetect if key is not given.
    #backend = mspgcc

    [data]
    ##########################################################################
    ## A filename can be predefined.
    ## File open dialog will not be shown in this case.
    filename = leds.a43

    ##########################################################################
    ## If defined, a question is displayed, asking the user if he wants to
    ## see the readme.
    #readme = readme.txt

    ##########################################################################
    ## Select the viewer for the readme. Possible values are:
    ##   "browser"           the default web browser or text editor, depending
    ##                       on file ending
    ##   "internal"          use a message box (only for very short texts)
    viewer = browser