Target msp430 .elf loading method

[sbald]

Are there ports in the pcb design to allow for direct uploading of the .elf file to the msp430 micro or would an additional programmer be necessary?

[brycied00d]

It's my understanding that in the competition, you are only responsible for your bot. You have no contact (except by laser diode ;)) with the targets. So unless you can upload your own program to the targets via laser (an interesting IV) I think this query is moot, or better left to https://github.com/Defconbots/2014_target

[sbald]

Sorry about that, I obviously did not word my question correctly. We are thinking about getting pcb boards printed for testing purposes only (prior to competition) and need to know if the .elf created from your code can be uploaded to the micro while soldered on the PCB or will the chip need to be programmed prior to being soldered onto the PCB?

[alvarop]

I'd use the msp430 launchpad. They're cheap and can program other msp430's: http://www.ti.com/ww/en/launchpad/launchpads-msp430.html#tabs

[jotux]

The target requires a separate programmer, which could be an MSP430 launchpad (~$10).

There's a 4-pin header on the target PCB (VCC, TEST, /RST,GND) you can connect to program the microcontroller.

[sbald]

Awesome. Thanks