Tag-Connect TC2050 plug-of-nails™ cable being inserted into PCB
TC2030-NL inserting into PCB with tiny footprint next to coin
TC2030 on tiny PCB with tiny footprint
TC2030 footprint comparison with box header
TC2050-legged-insertion-45
The Greenest Connector!
tc2030-insertion-coin-1200-400
Save Cost & Space on EVERY Board!
tc2030-insertion-pcb-coins-1200-400
no-header-no-brainer-plug-of-nails-footprint-2 - copy
No Header - No Brainer!
previous arrow
next arrow

Tag-Connect™ Solutions for Debuggers & Programmers

Read more about how Tag-Connect Saves you Money on Every PCB!


TI MSP430 Cable Selection & Installation

MSP-FETU430 debugger programmer MSP-FET430UIF

Tag-Connect™ replacement debug/programming cables save cost and space on every board!

We offer a range of solutions for MSP430.

1. Full Traditional MSP430 JTAG
2. SPY-BI-WIRE
3. 14-pin Connector

Full Traditional MSP430 JTAG

TC2050-IDC-430/TC2050-IDC-NL-430

The TC2050-IDC-430 and TC2050-IDC-NL-430 are our 10-pin TC2050 cables fitted with a 14-pin ribbon connector to suit the FET430. Pin 10 of the TC2050 is connected to pin 11 of FET430, the extra 4 pins are not used or needed.

For the smallest footprint use the TC2050-IDC-NL “No Legs” version. It is designed to be held in place for programming but can also be held in place for debugging with our TC2050-CLIP board.

Take the ribbon connector end of the cable and plug it into the Target-end of the TI MSP430.

TC2050-IDC-NL-430 connected to TI MSP430

Connect the Tag-Connect-end into your PCB.

Check out the data sheets here:

Solutions

PCB connectorDebug ConnectorItems (Click items for details)PriceQtyBuy
14 Pin to 10 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ – No Legs
Plug-of-Nails™ No Legs10 pin target connector
PCB End: 10 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ No LegsDebug End: 14 Pin IDC 0.1" Female
Tag-Connect's TC2050-IDC-430-NL programming cable is a special version of the TC2050-IDC-NL Plug-of-Nails™ cable designed to be plugged directly into TI's MSP-FET430 and is compatible with all MSP430 MCU's. The cable is fitted with a spring-pin Tag-Connector that conveniently plugs directly into your PCB and terminates in a 14-pin 0.1" ribbon connector that plugs directly into the FET430.
  • The cable is fitted with a spring-pin Tag-Connector.
  • Plugs straight to your PCB - No mating connector or header required!
  • Requires only a tiny 0.03 square inch footprint of pads and locating holes in your PCB.
  • Footprint MUCH smaller than the standard 14-pin ribbon header.
  • Zero Cost Per Board!
  • High-Reliability Spring-Pins make a Secure Connection and are rated for over 100,000 operations.
  • Footprint has no height and reduces the size and space requirements of your PCB.
  • Can be retained in place using a TC2050-CLIP board.
Tag-Connect cables provide a simple, reliable means of connecting Debuggers and Programmers or other test equipment to your PCB's while lowering board costs and facilitating efficient production programming. Tag-Connect uses a specially designed (Patent Pending) connector which eliminates the need for putting a programming header or other mating connector on every PCB. Instead, Tag-Connect uses tried and tested spring-pins rated for over 100,000 operations to make a secure connection to a special footprint pattern of pads and locating holes in your PCB. The legged 'No Legs' footprint takes about the same board space as a couple of SMT resistors which means you can locate the footprint right next to the MCU if desired. If required, use the TC2050-CLIP board to secure the TC2050-IDC-430-NL connector to the PCB. The 'No Legs' Tag-Connector is also compatible with the 'Legged' footprint, meaning you can conveniently debug with the self-retaining TC2050-IDC-430 and use TC2050-IDC-430-NL for a quick hand-held programming operation as may be typical during production. This 10-conductor cable has a TC2050 Tag-Connector on one end and a standard 14-pin ribbon connector on the other and is wired specifically for the TI MSP-FET430 debugger (and compatible MSP430 debuggers). It is compatible with all MSP430 MCU's. If your MSP430 device supports SPY-BI-WIRE, also take a look at the SPY-BI-TAG adaptor with the even smaller footprint (0.02 square inches) TC2030-MCP-NL 6-pin cables. This is the perfect solution where board space is premium! Also available in self-retaining 'legged' version TC2050-IDC-430.

Datasheets

TC2050-IDC-430-NL cable with 10 pin no-legs plug-of-nails and 14 pin IDC for MSP430 debug1 x TC2050-IDC-NL-430 No Leg Cable for use with MSP430 / FET430
This product is intended to temporarily hold a TC2050-NL cable in place on a PCB. The solution will help when board space is premium and you need to perform a hands-free programming or debugging operation. For a more robust and convenient debugging connection consider using the TC2050 legged cable and footprint. Supplied as pack of 3. We recommend keeping a few spare of these since they are easily misplaced when working on the desktop. Over time they may lose some grip.
TC2050-CLIP-3PACK retainer for TC2050 connectors1 x TC2050-CLIP-3PACK Retaining CLIP board for TC2050-NL cables - 3 Pack
Include this item
Price: $61.00 Qty: Buy
14 Pin to 10 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ – With Legs
Plug-of-Nails™ Legged10 pin target connector
PCB End: 10 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ LeggedDebug End: 14 Pin IDC 0.1" Female
Tag-Connect's TC2050-IDC-430 programming cable is a special version of the TC2050-IDC Plug-of-Nails™ cable designed to be plugged directly into TI's MSP-FET430 and is compatible with all MSP430 MCU's.
  • The cable is fitted with a spring-pin Tag-Connector that conveniently plugs directly into your PCB and terminates in a 14-pin 0.1" ribbon connector.
  • Plugs straight to your PCB - No mating connector or header required!
  • Requires only a tiny footprint of pads and locating holes in your PCB.
  • Footprint MUCH smaller than the standard 14-pin ribbon header.
  • Zero Cost Per Board!
  • High-Reliability Spring-Pins make a Secure Connection and are rated for over 100,000 operations.
  • Footprint has no height and reduces the size and space requirements of your PCB.
Tag-Connect cables provide a simple, reliable means of connecting Debuggers and Programmers or other test equipment to your PCB's while lowering board costs and facilitating efficient production programming. Tag-Connect uses a specially designed (Patent Pending) connector which eliminates the need for putting a programming header or other mating connector on every PCB. Instead, Tag-Connect uses tried and tested spring-pins rated for over 100,000 operations to make a secure connection to a special footprint pattern of pads and locating holes in your PCB. The legged version footprint takes about the same board space as two or three SMT resistors which means you can locate the footprint right next to the MCU if desired. This 10-conductor cable has a TC2050 Tag-Connector on one end and a standard 14-pin ribbon connector on the other and is wired specifically for the TI MSP-FET430 debugger (and compatible MSP430 debuggers). It is compatible with all MSP430 MCU's. See also TC2050-IDC-NL-430 (no-legs version) with a tiny 0.03" footprint. Also, if your MSP430 device supports SPY-BI-WIRE, take a look at the SPY-BI-TAG adaptor with the even smaller footprint TC2030-MCP 6-pin cables.

Datasheet

 
TC2050-IDC-430 cable with 10 pin plug-of-nails and 14 pin IDC for MSP430 debug1 x TC2050-IDC-430 Legged Cable for use with MSP430 / FET430
Price: $43.00 Qty: Buy

SPY-BI-WIRE

SPY-BI-TAG + TC2030-MCP/TC2030-MCP-NL

This is a fantastic solution if your implemtation uses or can use SPY-BI-WIRE rather than the 4-wire JTAG. It reduces the PCB footprint to our smallest 6-pin TC2030 footprints and also allows you to use the more robust TC2030-MCP cables (far more robust than ribbon cables when used in production). Not only does it save the board space of the huge 14-pin connector, it also save you from having to put the 330 Ohm fuse-blow protection resistor on each and every target – just load it on the SPY-BI-TAG adapter instead!

For the smallest PCB footprint (using only about the same PCB space as an 0805 resistor) use the TC2030-MCP-NL “No Legs” cable with the SPY-BI-TAG adapter. For debugging it can be held in place with the TC2030-CLIP board. This also is an adavantage over the TC2050-IDC-430 4-wire JTAG solution as the extra spring-pin force of the TC2050 makes the TC2050-CLIP board harder to use than the TC2030.

Although SPY-BI-WIRE frees up the JTAG port allowing it to be used as GPIO, it is not quite as fast as the original 4-wire JTAG. However, unless your program is large (over 32K) you probably won’t notice any difference debugging and programming with SPY-BI-WIRE. If you have a larger device and use a lot of flash the download speed will suffer.

TI MSP430 Debugger with SPY-BI-TAG adapter and TC2030-MCP 6 pin cable

From the Target-end of the TI MSP430, connect your SPY-BI-TAG adaptor.

Plugging SPY-BI-TAG adapter into TI MSP430

Then plug the TC2030-MCP (-NL) cable to the SPY-BI-TAG adaptor.

Plugging TC2030-MCP cable into SPY-BI-TAG adapter

Plug the spring-pin end of the TC2030-MCP (-NL) to your target and you’re all set!

TC2030-MCP 6 pin cable installed with SPY-BI-TAG adapter into MSP430 debugger

The SPY-BI-TAG adapter can be fitted with the 330 Ohm fuse-blow protection resistor. The best
(and safest) place for this resistor is on the adapter
 board, but some people (because they copy the confusing eval board schematics) put the 330 Ohm resistor on the target PCB. The resistor MUST be fitted either on the SPY-BI-TAG board, or on the target board but NOT both.

By default, R1 is not fitted (which is the safe thing because if it is also fitted on the target the fuse-blow current could cause damage). However visit the SPY-BI-TAG product page to order SPY-BI-TAG with the 330 Ohm 0805 resistor fitted.

SPY-BI-TAG adapter with and without 330 ohm fuse-blow resistor

Legs v. No-Legs: The legged version is more convenient but needs four extra holes for the feet. The TC2030-CLIP board pushes onto the three alignment pins of the “no legs” cable to retain it in place for debugging.

TC2030-MCP in legged and no-legs versions with TC2030-CLIP retaining board

Check out the data sheets here:

Solutions

PCB connectorDebug ConnectorItems (Click items for details)PriceQtyBuy
14 Pin to 6 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ – No Legs
Plug-of-Nails™ No Legs6 pin target connector
PCB End: 6 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ No LegsDebug End: 14 Pin IDC 0.1" Female
The “SPY‐BI‐TAG” TC2030‐MCP to SPY‐BI‐WIRE adapter board which allows use of our Tag‐Connect TC2030‐MCP series Plug‐of‐Nails™ cables with later versions of TI’s MSP430 MCU that support the SPY‐BI‐WIRE (2‐Wire) JTAG interface. TI MSP‐FETU430 shown in one of the images with SPY‐BI‐TAG adapter board and TC2030‐MCP‐NL (no legs) cable – also works with TC2030‐MCP legged version cable. When your board real‐estate is at a premium, Tag‐Connect is the way to go! The SPY-BI-TAG adapter can be fitted with the 330 Ohm fuse-blow protection resistor. The best (and safest) place for this resistor is on the adapter board, but some people (because they copy the confusing eval board schematics) put the 330 Ohm resistor on the target PCB. The resistor MUST be fitted either on the SPY-BI-TAG board, or on the target board but NOT both. You can order this adapter with or without the 330 Ohm 0805 resistor fitted. Please select required option when ordering. Note: Adapter only, MPS430, cable and evaluation board not included!

Datasheet

SPY-BI-TAG adapter for MPS430 MCU spy-bi-wire JTAG1 x SPY-BI-TAG: MSP430 SPY-BI-WIRE to TC2030-MCP Adapter Board
Option: Fuse Blow Protection Resistor (330 Ohm)

TC2030‐MCP to SPY‐BI‐WIRE adapter board which allows use of our Tag‐Connect TC2030‐MCP series Plug‐of‐Nails™ cables with later versions of TI’s MSP430 MCU that support the SPY‐BI‐WIRE (2‐Wire) JTAG interface.

HELP
Tag-Connect TC2030-MCP-NL programming cable is primarily intended for use in production programming. It is particularly suited to environments where the connection to the PCB is of short duration, and operators are working quickly from board to board. A major advantage of the TC2030-MCP-NL is the extremely small footprint required on the PCB (hardly any bigger than a surface mount resistor) allowing the minimum possible space on your PCB to be used for the programming connection. The TC2030-MCP-NL is also compatible with the TC2030-MCP footprint allowing use of the TC2030-MCP for development work and TC2030-MCP-NL for fast programming in production. The TC2030-MCP-NL can be held in place making it suitable for debugging and development when using TC2030-CLIP board . Where a sustained connection to the PCB is required, also consider the TC2030-MCP. Ideal for efficient production programming and also for debugging.
TC2030-NL no legs tiny PCB footprint connector to RJ12 for Microchip ICD1 x TC2030-MCP-NL 6-Pin No-Legs Cable with RJ12 Modular Plug (for Microchip ICD)
Price: $65.45 Qty: Buy
14 Pin to 6 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ – With Legs
Plug-of-Nails™ Legged6 pin target connector
PCB End: 6 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ LeggedDebug End: 14 Pin IDC 0.1" Female
The “SPY‐BI‐TAG” TC2030‐MCP to SPY‐BI‐WIRE adapter board which allows use of our Tag‐Connect TC2030‐MCP series Plug‐of‐Nails™ cables with later versions of TI’s MSP430 MCU that support the SPY‐BI‐WIRE (2‐Wire) JTAG interface. TI MSP‐FETU430 shown in one of the images with SPY‐BI‐TAG adapter board and TC2030‐MCP‐NL (no legs) cable – also works with TC2030‐MCP legged version cable. When your board real‐estate is at a premium, Tag‐Connect is the way to go! The SPY-BI-TAG adapter can be fitted with the 330 Ohm fuse-blow protection resistor. The best (and safest) place for this resistor is on the adapter board, but some people (because they copy the confusing eval board schematics) put the 330 Ohm resistor on the target PCB. The resistor MUST be fitted either on the SPY-BI-TAG board, or on the target board but NOT both. You can order this adapter with or without the 330 Ohm 0805 resistor fitted. Please select required option when ordering. Note: Adapter only, MPS430, cable and evaluation board not included!

Datasheet

SPY-BI-TAG adapter for MPS430 MCU spy-bi-wire JTAG1 x SPY-BI-TAG: MSP430 SPY-BI-WIRE to TC2030-MCP Adapter Board
Option: Fuse Blow Protection Resistor (330 Ohm)

TC2030‐MCP to SPY‐BI‐WIRE adapter board which allows use of our Tag‐Connect TC2030‐MCP series Plug‐of‐Nails™ cables with later versions of TI’s MSP430 MCU that support the SPY‐BI‐WIRE (2‐Wire) JTAG interface.

HELP
TC2030 legged footprintTag-Connect TC2030-MCP cable is primarily intended for use in development environments and is also ideal for production programming. The spring-loaded contact pins are held firmly in place by four plastic legs each of which clips securely into its own locating hole. Tag-Connect TC2030-MCP is ideal where you need to maintain a connection to the PCB for an extended period such as when performing testing or development work. See also TC2030-MCP-NL for applications where an even smaller footprint is required. Ideal for both debugging and production programming.
TC2030-MCP programming cable, 6 pin plug-of-nails to RJ12 for Microchip ICD1 x TC2030-MCP 6-Pin Cable with RJ12 Modular Plug (for Microchip ICD)
Price: $65.45 Qty: Buy

14-pin Target Connector
TC2070-IDC-NL

Our TC2070-IDC-NL is a native 14-pin cable that will plug directly into the FET430. However, because of the smaller footprints and we recommend using the TC2050-IDC-430 or our SPY-BI-TAG adapter and TC2030-MCP solutions as listed above.

TI MSP430 with TC2070-IDC cable

Connect your TC2070-IDC-NL directly to your TI MSP430. We do not yet offer TC2070 in a legged version. The no legs version can be held in place using the TC-FRICTION board but it is far harder to use and not suitable for frequent removal and attachment.

TI MSP430 with TC2070-IDC cable installed

TC2030, TC2050 and TC2070 pinouts

Solutions

PCB connectorDebug ConnectorItems (Click items for details)PriceQtyBuy
14 Pin to 14 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ – No Legs
Plug-of-Nails™ No Legs14 pin target connector
PCB End: 14 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ No LegsDebug End: 14 Pin IDC 0.1" Female
14-pin Plug-of-Nails™ programming/debug cable - No Legs Version Fitted with 14-pin (2x7) 0.1" spaced ribbon cable connector. Approx 8" (200mm) of ribbon cable between connectors.

Datasheet

See also TC2070-IDC (legged) version. Note that for many applications where 14-pin connectors are natively used by a debugger (such as MSP430, TI and ADI DSP's, Renesas MCU's etc) we offer some excellent alternative solutions that in many cases can reduce the footprint size on your PCB to 6 or 10-pins as well as reducing the price per cable.
TC2070 14-pin Plug-of-Nails™ to 14-pin IDC1 x TC2070-IDC-NL
GRIP-14 is used to hold a TC2070 -NL cable to the PCB. The GRIP presses onto the three alignment pins from underneath the PCB and grips tightly. It is non-conductive. This is one pack, three in a pack.
grip-14 test & programming connector retainer - 3 pack1 x GRIP-14 3-Pack
Include this item
Price: $59.95 Qty: Buy
14 Pin to 14 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ – With Legs
Plug-of-Nails™ Legged14 pin target connector
PCB End: 14 Pin Plug-of-Nails™ LeggedDebug End: 14 Pin IDC 0.1" Female
14-pin Plug-of-Nails™ programming cable - With Legs Version Fitted with 14-pin (2x7) 0.1" spaced ribbon cable connector. Approx 8" (200mm) of ribbon cable between connectors. Note that for many applications where 14-pin connectors are natively used by a debugger (such as MSP430, TI and ADI DSP's, Renesas MCU's etc) we offer some excellent alternative solutions that in many cases can reduce the footprint size on your PCB to 6 or 10-pins as well as reducing the price per cable.

Datasheet

See also TC2070-IDC-NL (no-legs) version.
TC2070 plug-of-nails test connector with 14 pin IDC connector1 x TC2070-IDC
Price: $49.95 Qty: Buy