rf2500 Kernel Extension

This codeless kernel extension can be installed on a Mac OS X system to enable tools such as mspdebug to reprogram a TI MSP430 Launchpad.

Unlike other, similar, kernel extensions such as ez430rf2500, this extension is actually codeless (it consists of a single file rf2500.kext/Contents/Info.plist) and as such does not depend on any kernel APIs. In theory, this should make it more portable.

Installation instructions

Run sudo ./install.sh

This simple install script copies rf2500.kext to /System/Library/Extensions, sets the owner to root:wheel, sets the permissions appropriately for a kernel extension, and loads the extension. This means you do not need to restart your computer after running the install script.

Uninstallation instructions

Run sudo ./uninstall.sh

This even simpler uninstall script unloads the extension from the kernel and deletes it from /System/Library/Extensions. There is no need to restart your computer after running the uninstall script.

Getting started with the TI MSP430 Launchpad

The easiest way to get started programming the Launchpad is to install a toolchain using MacPorts.

1. Download and install MacPorts.

2. Install the msp430 compiler toolchain, libc, and mspdebug

    sudo port install msp430-gcc msp430-libc mspdebug
   

3. Compile your code using msp430-gcc and download it to the Launchpad using mspdebug.

Sample code -- LED blink

The sample directory contains the embedded systems equivalent of "Hello world." It blinks the two LEDs on the Launchpad. To build and install, follow these simple steps.

1. Connect the Launchpad to your computer via the USB cable.

2. From inside the sample directory, run

    make
    make install
   

The Makefile provides a simple example of how to build a binary for a particular MSP430 chip using msp430-gcc and how to download the binary to the Launchpad.