My first microprocessor project ever , Data Logger with MSP430 Launchpad(MSP430G2553)

[Butterworth 0]

Hello. Except my "hello message" it's my first topic in here. For my embedded systems lesson project(I'm a fresh guy at embedded systems and not even worked with any PIC, ARM, MSP, DSP etc.), my lecturer give me project about data loggers.

With MSP430 Launchpad(MSP430G2553)

 

-Measuring heat with a heat sensor, periodically

-Write that heat data to an SD card

-Write that data to a PC via MSP430 Launchpad's USB cable ( He said you can do it with a C# or Java program, you don't have to write a code, there are lots of written programs for it )

- Because of using Launcpad's USB as a communications interface, supply Launchpad with an external power supply (5 V battery etc.)

 

Is this project possible with MSP430 Launchpad(MSP430G2553)? If it is possible, where do i need to start? Which topics do i need to search? My dear lecturer wants a  written proposal from me for this  Tuesday.

 

Thanks for help. 

[cde 334]

Yes, Yes, Yes, and no/maybe? If you are using the valueline launchpad's usb as a serial connection, you are already getting 5v to power everything from. The USB cable connected to a computer IS the external power supply. Or does he mean for when it's not connected to usb?

[Butterworth 0]

Yes, Yes, Yes, and no/maybe? If you are using the valueline launchpad's usb as a serial connection, you are already getting 5v to power everything from. The USB cable connected to a computer IS the external power supply. Or does he mean for when it's not connected to usb?

 

I think he means  make the USB not to work as a power supply, just use it for data sending to PC. Is it possible?

[abecedarian 330]

Yes, it's possible.

 

The Launchpads have a set of terminals where 3v3 and ground are broken out; those terminals are at the bottom-right side of the board.

If you hold the LP in your hand so the USB plug is at the top, the terminals are the separate "3 pin" header at the bottom-right, next to a push button switch: two pins are labeled "GND" and the other "VCC".

 

It also has jumpers you can remove to isolate the USB power and the top section of the LP board from the bottom section where the MCU is mounted.

[Jaspreet@DTU 15]

I have designed a C# GUI which might help and incase you need some modifications with the GUI, i can do that. Also, you can refer to the code attached for understanding UART and ADC functionalities. Link: http://e2e.ti.com/group/microcontrollerprojects/m/msp430microcontrollerprojects/665272.aspx

[Butterworth 0]

Jaspreet thanks for it. I can use your GUI to get heat sensor data without writing any codes So only thing that I need is writing this sensor data to SD cart and logging that data to a PC. So I need to learn about this things from basic. Where do I need to start learning? 

[Jaspreet@DTU 15]

Jaspreet thanks for it. I can use your GUI to get heat sensor daha without writing any codes So only thing that I need is writing this sensor data to SD cart and logging that data to a PC. So I need to learn about this things from basic. Where do I need to start learning? 

 

Regarding the data logging to PC/Laptop, the GUI has a feature to store incoming data in an Excel Sheet along with the timestamp at which the data is acquired.

 

If you are just starting with MSP430 and want to really learn from the scratch, please refer to this link: http://www.43oh.com/2010/08/10-beginner-msp430-tutorials-and-counting/  The mspsci blog has some really great tutorials on MSP430. For storing data to the SD card, please refer to this application note: http://www.ti.com/lit/an/slaa281b/slaa281b.pdf  and this post: http://forum.43oh.com/topic/1427-petitefs-fatfs-sdcard-usci-code/

[Butterworth 0]

Regarding the data logging to PC/Laptop, the GUI has a feature to store incoming data in an Excel Sheet along with the timestamp at which the data is acquired.

 

If you are just starting with MSP430 and want to really learn from the scratch, please refer to this link: http://www.43oh.com/2010/08/10-beginner-msp430-tutorials-and-counting/  The mspsci blog has some really great tutorials on MSP430. For storing data to the SD card, please refer to this application note: http://www.ti.com/lit/an/slaa281b/slaa281b.pdf  and this post: http://forum.43oh.com/topic/1427-petitefs-fatfs-sdcard-usci-code/

 

Actually I am a little confused. In Petite Fats Module, is it possible to write analog sensor values that has been measured by G2553 to sd card? I think it is possible with Fats Module. But G2553 does not have enough Flash Memory to run Fats Module, i think. Am I wrong?