Casco Logix
MSP430AFE253 Development Board User Guide
Rev 1.3
www.cascologix.com
Page 4
3
Board Features
3.1
Mini USB Connector
The mini USB connector (J1) provides a serial interface via the FTDI FT230XQ USB-to-Serial converter IC.
Additionally this chip provides the 3.3V regulated supply from the 5V supplied by the USB port.
The UART RX and TX lines from the FT230XQ go directly to the MSP430AFE253 through removable jumpers. This
allows a means of disconnecting the FT230XQ chip from the MSP430AFE253 UART in case other UART hardware
needs to be connected (i.e. UART display, GPS chip, etc). These jumpers are labeled in the silkscreen on the back
of the MSP430AFE253 Development Board.
The regulated 3.3V power from the FT230XQ can also be disconnected via jumper (P2). This allows a means of
using an alternate power supply without back feeding into the FT230XQ chip. This is especially important when
trying to achieve the lowest possible power consumption (i.e. battery-powered applications, etc.). This jumper
is labeled in the silkscreen on the back of the MSP430AFE253 Development Board.
3.2
External Power Connector
The external power connector (P1) is a 100-mil pitch male pin header and provides a means of connecting a
battery or other external power source. There are two pins provided for 3.3V and one pin for Ground, as some
battery connectors skip a position between the positive and negative terminals.
Mini USB
Connector
User
Switch 1
User
Switch 2
Blue
User LED
3.3V Power
& Ground
Hardware
Reset
TX/RX/3.3V
Jumpers
Spy-Bi-Wire
Debug
Header
(3) 24-bit Differential
A/D Converter Inputs
A/D Reference Voltage
and A/D Ground
GPIO Breakout,
3.3V Power
and Ground
MSP430AFE253
FTDI FT230XQ
USB-to-Serial
RX LED
TX LED
