MSPSim version 0.9x

MSPSim is a Java-based instruction level emulator of the MSP430 series microprocessor and emulation of some sensor networking platforms. Supports loading of IHEX and ELF firmware files, and has some tools for monitoring stack, setting breakpoints, and profiling.

System requirements

You need a recent Java to run MSPSim. Java 11 or newer is recommended. The current version of MSPSim also requires ant for compiling.

Building MSPSim

You will build MSPSim by typing

ant

Running examples

Run the default example on the ESB node emulator by typing:

ant runesb

(here you can pass the PIR with the mouse and click on the user button to get reaction from the example application).

Run the default example on the Sky node emulator by typing:

ant runsky

(this is a leds-blinker only and does not react to any mouse movements or button clicks).

Main Features

• Instruction level emulation of MSP430 microprocessor
• Supports loading of ELF and IHEX files
• Easy to add external components that emulates external HW
• Supports monitoring of registers, adding breakpoints, etc.
• Built-in profiling of executed code
• Statistics for various components modes (on/off, LPM modes, etc).
• Emulates some external hardware such as TR1001 and CC2420.
• Command Line Interface, CLI, for setting up breakpoints and output to files or windows.
• GDB remote debugging support (initial)

• What is emulated of the MSP430

• CPU (instruction level simulation)
• Timer A/B subsystem
• USARTs
• Digital I/O
• Multiplication unit
• Basic A/D subsystem (not complete)
• Watchdog

Limitations of the emulation (some of them) on version 0.9x

• Currently, the emulator runs as if it can use all memory as RAM (e.g. flash writes, etc not supported)
• No DMA implementation
• Timer system not 100% emulated