For generic use, you don't ever need to program the CC3100 BoosterPack.
That won't stop us, will it? |
The CC3100 BoosterPack is intended to be used as a WiFi radio. It has the intelligence on it to set up connections and serve communication.
In a usual scenario, it works together with another controller. Data between the two is exchanged via SPI or UART.
There's no immediate need to access its flash . Or is there?
Well, let's not worry about that now. Let's just try to enable flash read/write access.
The normal development tool set for programming the CC3100 - or to upgrade its firmware - is with a dedicated board: the CC31XXEMUBOOSTCC31XXEMUBOOST
You use UniFlash (version 3.4.1 for the CC3X00 family, the latest version isn't CC3X00 ready at the time of writing) as the flasher.
In essence, CC31XXEMUBOOSTCC31XXEMUBOOSTis a USB COM to UART converter.
Uniflash talks to a COM port and expects that this links to the UART pins of the CC3100
The MSP432 LaunchPad (and many other LaunchPads) have this on board. The debugger is a USB to COM to 3V3 UART bridge.
I have tested this with an older version of the LaunchPad that has a different block of jumpers (the black MSP432 with pre-prod controller silicon).
Remove the jumpers of the RXD and TXD signals.
connect RDX with BoosterPack 1.4(TX), TDX with 1.3(RX)
connect a GND of the LaunchPad with a BoosterPack GND, and a 3V3 with a 3V3.
Connect both boards via USB to your PC. When connecting the LaunchPad, write down the COM port it gets assigned.
Now start UniFlash and choose New Target Configuration. (here's a short guide for our BoosterPack)
Select CC3X Serial(UART) Interface, then select the only available Board or Device option.
Press OK.
Enter the COM port that's assigned to the MSP432 UART
Press the Get Version button.
When the first red line appears in the UniFlash console, press and release the BoosterPack's RESET button (SW2).
Watch how UniFlash connects and logs the version info of your CC3100.
Then press the List File System button. You need to push the RESET every time UniFlash engages with the BoosterPack.
You'll get a nice listing of what's currently in flash, including an overview of the filesystem.
Warning: don't press the Format button. Believe me.
Top Comments