Microcontrollers and the C Programming Language (MSP430)

Create C programs for a microcontroller using inputs/outputs, timers, analog-to-digital converters, comm ports, and LCD.

Created byMark M. Budnik, Mark Budnik

Last updated 5/2020

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What you'll learn

Program microcontrollers with the C programming language.
Use timer peripherals
Use communication peripherals
Use analog-to-digital converter peripherals
Use a liquid crystal display (LCD)
Use the MSP430 to develop embedded systems

Course content

18 sections • 115 lectures • 1h 45m total length

What Is This Course All About?2:28
Introduce students to how the course will be structured and provides background on Texas Instruments's hardware and software tools we will be using in the course.
Course Introduction4:00
Introduces students to the the course outline and provides information on ordering the hardware laboratory kit from Texas Instruments and element14.
What Is a Microcontroller?1:37
Students will be able to explain what a microcontroller is and what it is used for.
What Is an Embedded System?1:54
Students will be able to explain what an embedded system is, how they are different from traditional computers, and why they use microcontrollers.
What Is a Program?2:02
Students will be able to explain how programs provide the step-by-step instructions microcontrollers use to complete a task.
What Is an Integrated Development Environment?2:34
Students will be introduced to the software development tools developers use to create programs.
ACTION: How Do I Get Started?0:47
Students will create their first programs, download them to their Texas Instruments Launchpad Development Kits, and watch them run.
DOWNLOAD: What Do I Need For This Course?3:00
Find out what hardware and software components are required for the course.
DOWNLOAD: Let's Get Started Lab Manual34:00
BONUS DOWNLOAD for the MSP-EXP430G2 Launchpad0:47
Many students have told me that it is difficult to locate the Texas Instruments's MSP430FR6989 Launchpad at a reasonable price. Therefore, we have developed this alternative for the lower cost Texas Instruments MSP-EXP430G2 Launchpad. However, this course is based on the MSP430FR6989, and the G2 document is provided "as is," and I will not be able to answer questions regarding it. However, it has helped many students get started quickly, and I hope it can help you, too. : )
Wrap Up1:21
Summary of the Let's Get Started section.
Getting Started

ACTION: What Are Binary and Hexadecimal Numbers?2:02
Students will be able to use binary and hexadecimal numbers. They will learn how to use a programming calculator, and how microcontrollers store and manipulate non-decimal numbers.
DOWNLOAD: What Are Binary Numbers?21:00
DOWNLOAD: What Are Hexadecimal Numbers?7:00
DOWNLOAD: What Are Bits, Nibbles, Bytes, And Words?3:00
DOWNLOAD: How Can I Use The Programming Calculator?7:00
ACTION: What Is Digital Logic?1:51
Students will write programs using the binary logic operators (AND, OR, NOT, and Exclusive-OR) to perform logic operations and conditions.
DOWNLOAD: What Is The AND Operator?18:00
DOWNLOAD: What Is The OR Operator?10:00
DOWNLOAD: What Is The NOT Operator?7:00
DOWNLOAD: What Is The XOR Operator?8:00
Wrap Up0:54
Summary of the Binary Numbers and Digital Logic section.
Quiz: Binary Numbers and Digital Logic

What Is Inside a Microcontroller?4:48
Students will be able to explain the functional blocks found inside of microcontrollers.
What Is Program Memory?7:26
Students will be able to explain the different types of program memory, their advantages, and disadvantages that developers to consider.
What Is Data Memory?5:54
Students will be able to explain the different types of data memory, their advantages, and disadvantages that developers need to consider.
What Is a Peripheral?1:51
Students will be able to explain the role of the peripheral functional block and how they distinguish microcontrollers from microprocessors.
Wrap Up0:51
A summary of the What's Inside of a Microcontroller section.
Quiz: What's Inside of a Microcontroller?
BONUS: What is a CPU?1:07
Explore the cpu basics inside a microcontroller and how the cpu, program, memory, data, and peripherals interact, with a handout offering a general introduction.

ACTION: What Is a FOR Loop?2:23
Students will write programs using FOR loops.
DOWNLOAD: FOR Loops Lab Manual25:00
Students will write programs using FOR loops.
What Is a Flow Chart?0:38
Students will be able to read a flow chart.
DOWNLOAD: Flowchart Lab Manual3:00
Students will be able to read a flow chart.
ACTION: What Is a WHILE Loop?2:39
Students will write programs with WHILE loops.
DOWNLOAD: WHILE Loops Lab Manual10:00
Students will write programs with WHILE loops.
DOWNLOAD: What Are the Different C Variable Types?21:00
Loops Wrap up0:56
Summary of FOR loops, WHILE loops, and the use of flow charts.
Quiz: Loops in the C Programming Language
BONUS: What Are Nested Loops?0:43
Students will write programs with nested loops.
BONUS DOWNLOAD: Nested Loops Lab Manual9:00
Students will write programs with nested loops.
BONUS DOWNLOAD: Nested Loops Challenge3:00
BONUS DOWNLOAD: What Are the C Shorthand Operators?16:00
BONUS: Are FOR Loops and WHILE Loops Really the Same Thing?1:13

What Is a Digital Input?1:16
ACTION: What Is the P1.1 Push Button?1:46
Explore the p1.1 push button on the launchpad, a normally open switch connected to pin 1 of port 1. Learn how to read its state in C for MSP430.
ACTION: What Is the IF Statement?1:29
Use the if and else statements in C to let an MSP430 microcontroller respond to a push button, turning the red led on when pressed and off when not pressed.
DOWNLOAD: IF Statement Lab Manual8:00
ACTION: What Are Relational Operators?1:03
Explore relational operators in C for the MSP430, learn how each operator is used, and avoid common mistakes with the equals operator, guided by the handout.
DOWNLOAD: P1.1 Push Button Lab Manual29:00
DOWNLOAD: Relational Operators Lab Manual8:00
ACTION: How Do I Use More Push Buttons and LEDs?0:33
Expand your MSP430 experiments by wiring additional switches and LEDs to the launchpad, then build larger embedded systems using more push buttons and outputs.
DOWNLOAD: Using External Push Buttons and LEDs Lab Manual24:00
Digital Inputs Wrap Up1:24
Quiz: Digital Inputs, Push Buttons, and the IF Statement
BONUS: What Are BREAK and CONTINUE?0:34
BONUS DOWNLOAD: BREAK and CONTINUE Lab Manual11:00

What Is a Timer?1:38
What Can Timers Count?5:00
Use timers to count events or the time between events on a microcontroller. For example, count pizzas passing an electric eye, or time between hall effect pulses to trigger alarms.
Introduction to Timers Wrap Up0:33
Explore how timers function as MSP430 peripherals, counting events or time and generating signals when thresholds are met. Prepare for a timer quiz and next steps with the MSP430 FR6989.
Quiz: Introduction to Timers

ACTION: How Do I Use a General Purpose Timer?1:21
DOWNLOAD: General Purpose Timer Lab Manual18:00
DOWNLOAD: Turn On the Red LED for 20s and Then Turn It Off2:00
DOWNLOAD: Repeatedly Turn On the LED for 3s and Then Off for 1s3:00
Quiz: General Purpose Timers
BONUS: How Can I Pet the Watchdog with a General Purpose Timer?1:02
Learn how to initialize the watchdog timer and use a general purpose timer to pet it efficiently, avoiding over-petting that wastes energy and burdens the microcontroller.
BONUS DOWNLOAD: Petting the Watchdog with the General Purpose Timer5:00

Requirements

Information about the laboratory kit and the instructions for downloading the software will be provided in Section 1.

Description

The course is laboratory based. Almost every lecture and section of the course leads directly to a hands-on laboratory assignment. The more practice you get using the “real world" Texas Instruments MSP430 hardware and software the more proficient you will be.

The course does not waste your time. From the very beginning, we jump right in to your first laboratory assignment – Let's Get Started.

The course is modular in nature. Are you new to the world of microcontrollers? Great! Start at the beginning, and we'll teach you everything you need to know. Do you have some background in microcontrollers but want to learn more? Fantastic! You can pick and choose the modules that you need.

The course is packed with information. From the beginnings of the C programming language to advanced microcontroller peripherals, the course teaches you all of the building blocks you would need to build your own electronic systems.

We use lots and lots of examples. We take you step-by-step through the lessons – each time providing sample code and documentation to make sure you are supported through the course.

We are here to help. We are educators with a singular focus of providing a meaningful experience for our students. And, while we cannot do the work for you, we are willing to work WITH you help you succeed.

Who this course is for:

This course is meant for individuals who are not familiar with microcontrollers, the MSP430, and/or the C programming language.
For more experienced individuals, the course will also expedite the learning curve for the Texas Instruments MSP430 and Code Composer Studio integrated development environment.

Microcontrollers and the C Programming Language (MSP430)

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

How Do I Get Started?11 lectures • 55min

Binary Numbers and Digital Logic11 lectures • 1hr 26min

What's Inside of a Microcontroller6 lectures • 22min

Loops in the C Programming Language13 lectures • 1hr 36min

Digital Inputs, the P1.1 Button, and the IF Statement12 lectures • 1hr 28min

Introduction to Timer Peripherals3 lectures • 7min

Introduction to the Watchdog Timer Peripheral4 lectures • 23min

Introduction to the General Purpose Timer6 lectures • 30min

Advanced Features of General Purpose Timers2 lectures • 9min

Using Functions to Improve Your Microcontroller Program2 lectures • 52min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: