Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006) | Subject: MSP430F4xx family
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 17 May 2001
Flash mixed-signal MCUs stand by at
under 1uA
A new family of mixed-signal 16bit Flash microcontrollers that are the industry's first to break the 1uA standby-current barrier is now available from Texas Instruments.
A new family of mixed-signal 16bit Flash microcontrollers that are the industry's first to break the 1uA standby-current barrier is now available from Texas Instruments Combining ultra-low power, high-performance analogue and a 16bit RISC CPU, the new devices serve as complete system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions for cost sensitive, battery-powered measurement applications such as utility meters and sport watches
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The first two devices from the MSP430F4xx family are the MSP430F413 with 8Kbyte of ultra-low-power Flash memory and the 4Kbyte MSP430F412.
Devices in the MSP430F4xx family typically consume less than 800nA in stand-by mode with an active crystal oscillator, timer and liquid crystal display (LCD) driver.
The family's patented frequency locked loop and digitally controlled oscillator provide a system wake-up with a stable high-speed system clock in less than 6us, enabling the system to remain in battery saving stand-by mode up to 1000 times longer than other competing MCUs.
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When active, the new MCUs consume less than 250uA per MIP.
A single 32 kHz watch crystal with no external components drives the entire clock system, saving cost and reducing high frequency EMI by eliminating a second high-speed crystal.
Because of their low power consumption, the MSP430F4xx family of MCUs is ideal for applications where extended battery life is critical such as utility meters, thermostats, portable medical equipment and sport watches.
For example, a typical MSP430F41x-based home thermostat can run off of the same lithium battery for more than 10 years without replacement.
The new MSP430F4xx family incorporates the ultra-efficient 16bit RISC CPU common on all MSP430 family derivatives.
For customers upgrading from other MSP430 solutions, their code investment is fully preserved because the same RISC instruction set is utilized.
The MSP430F4xx family has an operating range from 1.8 to 3.6V at up to 8MIPS.
The modern design of the 16bit CPU generates industry-leading energy and code efficiency benchmarks and has an actual die size 30% smaller than common lower-performance 8bit MCUs.
Because the MSP430 CPU is highly orthogonal and legacy-free, developers can use optimal C coding techniques, dramatically reducing development time and accelerating their time to market.
The family's integrated analogue capabilities include an ultra-low-power SVS, a highly capable analogue comparator and an LCD driver.
The on-chip SVS assures the system will avoid brownout and lockup conditions.
Precise analogue measurements are accomplished with the device's analogue comparator, which features three references, an input multiplexer and a sophisticated interrupt control scheme.
The 96-segment LCD driver will directly drive a segment type LCD common in measurement applications.
Three timers are also integrated.
Plans later in 2001 call for additional MSP430F4xx family members that will offer high-speed data converters, flexible serial ports, expanded LCD drive capability and additional memory options.
Factory mask ROM versions of the family are planned for high-volume OEM quantities.
MSP430F41x developers are fully supported today using the MSP-FET430P410 Flash Emulation Tool (FET).
The FET is a modern integrated development environment (IDE) that enables sophisticated, real-time, in-circuit emulation using a standard IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface.
Included with the FET is an assembler/linker, debugger, software simulator and improved 2kB IAR Kickstart C-compiler.
A target board and two MSP430F413 evaluation devices are also included.
The MSP430F413and MSP430F412 come in a 64-pin quad flat pack (QFP) package.
Sample quantities are available now from TI and its authorized distributors with full production planned for July 2001.
Suggested resale pricing in quantities of 1000 is $2.90 for the MSP430F413 and $2.55 for the MSP430F412.
The MSP-FET430P410 development tool is available now for $99.
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