Launchpad programming with booster pack attached

Question

I have been working on a special booster pack project (mixed-signal FPGA) for TI MSP430F559 Launchpads. I have the basic elements of the booster working properly, except each time I wanted to program the Launchpad with Energia I have to remove the booster pack first, or the driver will not be able to download the new code image. I am wondering if anybody else have experienced the same issue with booster packs and Energia programming. Is it a matter of DC sag on the USB cable that prevents programming because of the extra load from the booster pack? If so, does anybody have a workaround?

Thanks,

J.R. Stoner

Former Member · Answer

I've not encountered that with "official" TI BoosterPacks. FPGA's can be power-hungry sometimes, though.

My first thought would be to use a USB 3.0 port (spec is 750mA vs. 500mA on USB 2.1).

Clarify, please, which LaunchPad you're using. The MSP430 series has four digits after MSP430F or MSP430FR. Some boards are quite particular about the board ID when making a USB connection.

clem57 · Answer

This makes sense, because the process of flashing involves an erase cycle before downloading the bytes/hex. The demands on the current become momentarily high and will fail if the juice is running elsewhere. Maybe a cutoff switch to the booster could be used. I would suggest a check if the booster is wasting the current somewhere (leakage or ???). Clem