[IAEP] [Sur] TI MSP430 running on XO 1 - Robotics!

[Dr. Gerald Ardito]

Tony,

I have been using the Energia IDE on my MacBook Pro for the Launchpad.
As I understand it, it is an Arduino variant, free and open source:
http://energia.nu/
I am not sure if it will run on the XO, but it is an option as I see it.

I look forward to hearing about your progress. I will share whatever I
learn as well.

Thanks.
Gerald

On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 11:25 PM,  <forster at ozonline.com.au> wrote:
> Gerald
>
> Thanks for the update.
>
>> I just this link to a project using the TI Launchpad as a robot brain:
>> http://e2e.ti.com/group/microcontrollerprojects/m/msp430microcontrollerprojects/496334.aspx
>>
>> I am going to give it a try.
>
> I have just got my MSP430 launchpad and am planning the next step.
>
> http://www.ti.com/ww/en/launchpad/msp430_head.html
> It seems that there are 2 development IDE's: CCS and IAR
> Neither are open source but they are free when used with a 16kB code limitation.
>
> MSPGCC is open source but only works from the command line, no graphic IDE. Yamaplos documents the command line mspdebug at http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/OLPC_XO-1 (I do not know if mspdebug and MSPGCC are related)
>
> Currently Arduino, PIC, and LegoWeDo are being used with the OLPC XO with the programming being done on the XO, either in TurtleArt or Scratch. The electronics of the robotics kits are being used as I/O expanders. The students are not programming the processors on the robotics kits. (I am not sure what LegoNXT is doing).
>
> The Arduino is running Firmata software firmata.org/wiki/Protocol which turns it into a dumb slave, I think the Butia team are using similar (but different) software on their Arduino or PIC.
>
> Maybe the most productive approach is to find or write for the MSP430 a Firmata emulator, then the MSP430 can be used as a replacement for the Arduino, under control of TurtleArt (and maybe Scratch).
>
> The benefit is that the MSP430 is currently 1/10 the price of an Arduino. I am concerned that this subsidised price may not continue indefinitely or that schools may not be able to buy them in quantity though.
>
> I will look at MSP430 Firmata. So far I have installed the CCS IDE for Windows (it looked easier than Linux). I will let you know my progress
>
> Tony
>
>