Getting Started; Prepare Solar Energy Harvester Module; Install Sensor Monitor Application And Drivers; Connect Hardware - Texas Instruments MSP430 User Manual

2.1

Prepare Solar Energy Harvester Module

1. Remove the 'Battery Enable Jumper', J8 (see
2. Place the solar module in a well lit location for at least a few minutes prior to use. In average indoor
lighting, it may take up to one hour to fully charge the system, however, approximately five minutes
should be sufficient for initial startup.
2.2

Install Sensor Monitor Application and Drivers

1. Download the eZ430-RF2500-SEH Demo and Source Code (SLAC219) from the
Development Tool web page
2. Unzip the archive and run SEH-demo-setup-vx.x.exe.
3. Respond to the prompts to install the application.
4. Open the eZ430-RF2500-SEH Sensor Monitor program. A shortcut is available on the Desktop and in
the Start Menu under Programs > Texas Instruments > eZ430-RF2500-SEH Sensor Monitor.
2.3

Connect Hardware

1. Insert the eZ430-RF2500 into a USB port on the PC. This acts as the Access Point.
If prompted for the driver for the MSP430 Application UART, allow Windows to 'Install the software
automatically'. This is only possible if the Sensor Monitor has already been installed.
For more information, see Section 14: Detailed Hardware Installation Guide from the eZ430-RF2500
user's guide (SLAU227).
The Sensor Monitor PC application should now detect the MSP430 Application UART on the
appropriate COM port and the center bubble in the program blinks once a second.
2. Take the second eZ430-RF2500T target board and attach it to the Solar Energy Harvesting Module
(SEH-01) on connector J1. All components on the boards should be face up. A second bubble should
appear in the Sensor Monitor window representing the End Device. If the second bubble does not
appear, place the SEH-01 directly under a bright light for a few seconds and try again. Also try using
the battery pack to make sure the hardware is programmed properly.
3. By default, the End Device transmits every 10 seconds. Pushing the button on the End Device
changes the transmission duty cycle in the following intervals: 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 2
minutes, 4 minutes and 5 seconds.
4. Try covering the solar panel to force the system run from the stored energy. The number of remaining
transmissions is displayed.
5. When finished, remove the eZ430-RF2500T End Device from the SEH-01 module, replace jumper on
J8, and close any open programs.
For troubleshooting tips, see
SLAU273C – January 2009 – Revised May 2010
Figure 1-2
or from the included CD.
Appendix A, Frequently Asked Questions.
Copyright © 2009–2010, Texas Instruments Incorporated
SLAU273C – January 2009 – Revised May 2010

Getting Started

for details).
eZ430-RF2500-SEH
Chapter 2
11
Getting Started