jdbakker
Well-known member
Is there any way I can talk you out of using the MSP430 ?
I've spent some time getting reacquainted with the MSP430, and while it's a very nifty architecture, it has a few drawbacks for this particular application. First, the PGA2500 is a 5V device but the I/O cells on the MSP430-F2013 aren't 5V tolerant, so a direct interface is out. Furthermore, the IAR Kickstart IDE / C compiler that comes with the eZ430 is a limited version. For DIY usage it would be nice if a free-of-charge full compiler were available, but none appear to exist for the MSP430 at the moment (there is a GCC port underway, but it appears rather alpha-quality ATM).
May I suggest the ATtiny26 ? Its feature set is comparable to the MSP430-F2013 (sans the 16-bit SD ADC, but with more I/O pins). It will run directly on 5V and it has a mature free-of-charge GCC port avaiilable.
Do let me know if any of my facts are off. I'll admit to having more hours on the AVR than on the MSP430, and I can see the attraction in using TI parts, but for this application and a DIY context I'm not sure it's the best tool for the job.
[quote author="Rochey"]BTW - don't you have a PGA2500 EVM?[/quote]
Sure do.
JDB.
I've spent some time getting reacquainted with the MSP430, and while it's a very nifty architecture, it has a few drawbacks for this particular application. First, the PGA2500 is a 5V device but the I/O cells on the MSP430-F2013 aren't 5V tolerant, so a direct interface is out. Furthermore, the IAR Kickstart IDE / C compiler that comes with the eZ430 is a limited version. For DIY usage it would be nice if a free-of-charge full compiler were available, but none appear to exist for the MSP430 at the moment (there is a GCC port underway, but it appears rather alpha-quality ATM).
May I suggest the ATtiny26 ? Its feature set is comparable to the MSP430-F2013 (sans the 16-bit SD ADC, but with more I/O pins). It will run directly on 5V and it has a mature free-of-charge GCC port avaiilable.
Do let me know if any of my facts are off. I'll admit to having more hours on the AVR than on the MSP430, and I can see the attraction in using TI parts, but for this application and a DIY context I'm not sure it's the best tool for the job.
[quote author="Rochey"]BTW - don't you have a PGA2500 EVM?[/quote]
Sure do.
JDB.