Manuals+

MSP Low-Power Microcontrollers

Texas Instruments

Introduction to MSP Microcontrollers

Texas Instruments (TI) offers MSP microcontrollers (MCUs) that are 16-bit and 32-bit mixed-signal processors designed for ultra-low power consumption. These MCUs provide the lowest power consumption and an optimal mix of integrated peripherals for a wide range of applications. TI also provides the necessary hardware and software tools to get started. The newer MSP432™ microcontrollers are 32-bit MCUs offering higher performance with a standardized ARM® core, while retaining the low-power benefits of MSP MCUs.

Learn more at ti.com/msp.

Key Features and Benefits

Continuously Innovating in Ultra-Low Power

  • Lowest power standby (350 nA with RTC)
  • Lowest power ARM® Cortex®-M4F (167.4 ULPBench)
  • Real-time power profiling to the peripheral level with Energy-Trace™ technology

Advancing Peripherals to Enable the Industrial World

  • The only MCU portfolio with non-volatile FRAM
  • Touch technology with CapTIvate™
  • Smart analog and digital peripherals, including ADCs, USB, and LCD, operating independently of the CPU

Connecting Devices, Making Them Simpler and More Reliable

  • Update your system wirelessly with zero buffering
  • FRAM enables system state retention when power fails
  • Over 20 wired and wireless connectivity options supported by LaunchPad™ Development Kits, reference designs, and software stacks

Ultra-Low Power is in Our DNA

MSP MCUs feature multiple low-power modes enabled by a flexible clock system that allows clocks and oscillators to be enabled and disabled as needed, optimizing current consumption.

Instant Wakeup: Ultra-fast 1-µs digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) start-up allows systems to remain in low-power modes for extended battery life. The DCO is user-programmable.

Real-time Clock: A low-power real-time clock (RTC) is available on all MSP MCUs for precise timekeeping and scheduled wakeups. Some MCUs include a switchable battery backup system.

Autonomous Peripherals: Intelligent analog and digital peripherals can operate autonomously in low-power modes, increasing efficiency.

Direct Memory Access: A direct memory access controller enables efficient memory transfer without CPU intervention, improving throughput and lowering system power.

Embedded FRAM Enables Lowest Power: Features industry-leading active power consumption (<100 μA/MHz), 250x faster writes than Flash, and protected write completion.

Learn more about embedded FRAM at ti.com/fram.

MSP = Ultra-low power, but you can see for yourself!

Focus on application-level power by accounting for system functions like real-time clock, power modes, and integrated hardware to provide a true comparison of system current and energy efficiency.

A chart shows ULPBench scores for MSP432P401R, CC26x, Competitor A, MSP430FR5969, Competitor B, and MSP430FR4133, with MSP MCUs generally showing higher scores.

MSP FRAM Microcontrollers – Reinventing the Low-Power MCU

MSP FRAM MCUs are designed from the ground up for ultra-low-power applications, offering:

MSP FRAM MCUs – Now Featuring CapTIvate™ Touch Technology

Enabling the industry's lowest power touch- and proximity-sensing solutions. Learn more at ti.com/captivate.

Performance

  • Up to 60-mm glass / 25-mm plastic overlays
  • Proximity sensing up to 30 cm with 3D gestures
  • 0.025-cm slider resolution

Reliability

  • Design systems to meet EMC standards
  • Up to 10V RMS conducted noise
  • Up to 4KV EFT and ESD
  • Enhanced moisture-rejection capabilities

Flexibility

  • Enables self and mutual capacitance in the same design
  • Supports multi-touch capabilities
  • Metal overlay for water/dirt proof, glove-friendly designs

Low Power

  • <4 µA while sensing four buttons (CPU asleep)
  • Hardware state machine to off-load CPU

Ease of Use

  • Configure and tune sensors in minutes with CapTIvate Design Center GUI
  • Quick time-to-market with design guides for noise immunity, moisture rejection, and proximity/gestures

MSP432™ MCUs – MSP430™ Power at ARM® Cortex®-M4 Performance!

Introducing ARM-to-MSP low power. MSP's expanded portfolio allows movement between 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs based on application needs.

Increased Performance and ARM Core

  • ARM Cortex-M4 with DSP extensions and floating-point unit
  • 48 MHz
  • 1MSPS 14-bit ADC
  • Simultaneous Flash read/write
  • DriverLib in ROM

MSP Low-Power Benefits

  • <100µA/MHz active power
  • <1µA deep sleep
  • Selectable RAM retention
  • EnergyTrace+™ technology
  • ULP Advisor™

Scalability between MSP430 16-bit and MSP432 32-bit Families

  • MSPWare APIs and code examples allow reuse of existing code from MSP-compatible peripherals.
  • DriverLib APIs are provided for new system modules.

A diagram illustrates the software and hardware compatibility between MSP430 and MSP432 families.

What's New to the MSP Family in MSP432?

  • 48-MHz ARM Cortex-M4 with FPU
  • DriverLib in ROM
  • Wide voltage range
  • Simultaneous Flash read/write
  • 128-bit Flash buffer and pre-fetch
  • Selectable RAM retention
  • 64KB RAM
  • 1MSPS ADC14
  • 8-channel DMA
  • Memory protection unit
  • Integrated LDO and DC/DC
  • NVIC with tail-chaining
  • Tuneable DCO
  • Peripheral and SRAM memory bit-band
  • 20-mA high drive I/Os
  • 32-bit timer
  • JTAG security and advanced IP protection
  • UART | I²C | SPI bootstrap loader
  • EnergyTrace+

Integration

MSP MCUs offer integration designed for various applications, including high-performance peripherals like USB, RF, LCD controllers, and Sigma-Delta ADCs. This integration enables solutions with smaller footprints and reduced bill of materials costs.

Energy Harvesting Sensor Network

The MSP430FR59xx MCU with FRAM technology can control wireless sensor networks by harnessing energy, such as body heat. It features a differential ADC for direct sensor connection, industry-standard communication protocols, and an AES module for data protection.

A block diagram shows an Energy Harvester IC connected to an MSP430FR5969, which interfaces with RF and Bluetooth® wireless modules, and a sensor.

Co-Processor for Smart Devices

The MSP430F52xx MCU can serve as an always-on, ultra-low-power co-processor for applications processors. It can offload functions like sensor hub, keyboard control, battery and power management, capacitive touch, haptics, and proximity detection. It supports split rail 1.8 V/3.3 V for direct connection to applications processors and sensors.

Images depict applications in Energy Harvesting, Industrial, and Consumer and Portable Electronics.

MSP432 Industrial Security Panel Solution

The low-power, high-performance MSP432P401Rxx Cortex®-M4 microcontroller is ideal for industrial, building, and home automation applications. Key advantages include low power for long battery life, 32-bit, 48-MHz floating-point performance for advanced algorithms, real-time processing with remote firmware updates, AES256 advanced security, and multiple communication ports.

The solution includes a human interface (voice detection and word recognition) and a display (enhanced UI with touch-enabled QVGA LCD). It also supports intelligent sensing for parameters like thermal and current, and signature analysis for applications like glass breakage detection and access control (motion sensing, proximity, fingerprint scan).

A block diagram illustrates the Industrial Security Panel Solution, showing sensors (motion, glass breakage, temperature) and audio input connecting to the MSP432 MCU, which drives a QVGA display and communicates via Wi-Fi® to the cloud.

Images depict applications in Medical, Security and Safety, and Smart Grid.

Integration for Precision and Cost Reduction

MSP MCUs offer advanced analog integration suitable for industrial applications requiring precision and reduced system area and cost. Examples include factory automation and control, and fire and smoke detection.

Factory Automation and Control

The MSP430i20xx MCU features integrated analog capabilities ideal for industrial applications, including 24-bit Sigma-Delta converters with differential PGA inputs for precise measurements, an internal DCO eliminating the need for external crystals, and a wide operating temperature range (-40°C to 105°C).

Fire and Smoke Detection

For smoke detectors, where power consumption is critical, the MSP430FR2033 MCU offers integration that simplifies design and reduces cost. Its operational amplifier magnifies IR receiver current for ADC sampling, and the MCU enters a standby mode between samples to conserve power. Advantages include ultra-low power consumption (126 µA/MHz active, 0.4 µA standby), fast FRAM writes (100x Flash speed), and shutdown mode (15 nA).

Images depict applications in Energy Harvesting, Industrial, and Consumer and Portable Electronics.

Smart Utility Meter

The MSP430F67xx MCU is ideal for precise electricity usage measurement, featuring up to 7 24-bit Sigma-Delta ADCs with a 2000:1 dynamic range, a multiplier for accelerated calculations, an RTC module for reliable readings, and auxiliary power supply support. It meets or exceeds global regulatory requirements.

A block diagram shows an E-Meter SoC with an MSP430 MCU, LCD controller, and Sigma-Delta ADCs, connected to an isolation amplifier and sensors.

Portable Medical Devices

The MSP430F6659 MCU integrates peripherals for portable medical applications, including 512 kB Flash for wireless stack support and over-the-air updates, USB and LCD controllers, 6 serial ports, and a 16-channel, 12-bit ADC for analog sensor interfacing. It also includes DACs for driving speakers and generating sensor bias.

Images depict applications in Medical, Security and Safety, and Smart Grid.

Software Ecosystem

TI's MSP software ecosystem supports ultra-low power, performance, and intelligent peripherals integrated into MSP microcontrollers. It offers a variety of professional and open-source Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) to accelerate time-to-market and maximize code efficiency.

Development Environments

  • Code Composer Studio™ (CCStudio) IDE: An Eclipse-based IDE for all TI embedded processors.
  • IAR Embedded Workbench: A strong third-party IDE with project management tools and an editor.
  • MSP GCC: A free, open-source GCC tool chain for MSP, available standalone or integrated in CCStudio IDE.
  • Energia: An open-source electronics prototyping platform for TI LaunchPads. Learn more at www.energia.nu.

Design Resources

  • MSP Peripheral Driver Library: Full API for configuring, enabling, and using integrated MSP peripherals.
  • USB Developers Package: Resources for adding USB to applications.
  • CapTIvate Design Center GUI: For configuring touch sensors, real-time tuning, and auto-generating software.
  • Energy Library: Software suite for quick ramp-up in metering, smart grid, energy monitoring applications, and home/building automation.

Software Optimization

  • EnergyTrace™ technology: Optimizes code for ultra-low-power (ULP) by providing power profiling beyond a multimeter, displaying MCU state information, and offering dynamic range from nA to mA.
  • ULP Advisor™ Software: Checks projects against ULP rules and highlights areas for improvement.
  • Optimizer Assistant: A tool for optimizing code performance and size using compiler settings.
  • Optimized IQmathLib library: Optimizes fixed-point math performance.

EnergyTrace™ Technology

A complete ecosystem for real-time power debugging, including a graphical user interface in Code Composer Studio™ IDE and IAR for energy profiles, current measurement from nA to mA, and visualization of low-power modes over time to examine peripheral states.

MSPWare™ software provides a collection of MSP430 design resources with a sleek, intuitive GUI, automatic content filtering, and web auto-updates. It features the MSP430 Driver Library and is available as a CCStudio IDE plugin or standalone executable.

Hardware Development Tools

TI offers hardware development tools ranging from low-cost development kits like the LaunchPad to highly-integrated, application-specific platforms and target boards.

Beginner Evaluation

Advanced Education

Development

LaunchPads with EnergyTrace: Specific LaunchPad kits like the MSP-EXP430FR5969 and MSP-EXP432P401R are highlighted with their specifications and prices.

Lift-Off with TI LaunchPad: A Microcontroller Evaluation Kit

LaunchPad boards are low-cost, easy-to-use microcontroller development boards from Texas Instruments, offering a snapshot into TI's MCU portfolio. Users can blink LEDs, spin motors, and more with easy-to-use kits and various software options. See all LaunchPads at ti.com/launchpad.

BoosterPacks

BoosterPacks are plug-in modules for LaunchPad that feature unique TI products or enable entire applications. They are available from TI, third parties, and online communities. See all BoosterPacks at ti.com/boosterpacks.

Grow with MSP

MSP MCUs and TI offer scalability across applications, with a portfolio of over 400 microcontrollers ranging from the MSP Value Line to highly integrated MCUs with embedded FRAM memory. A table details various MSP series (L09x, G2x/F2x/i2x, FRxx, F1x, F4x, FRAM, F5x/6x, MSP432P4x, RF430CL, CC430) and their features, including speed, memory, GPIO, peripherals, and wireless capabilities.

Collect Data

Sensors: The TMP006 sensor measures object temperature without contact. Analog Front Ends, like the LMP91000, bridge the gap between sensors and MCUs, simplifying system design. More information at ti.com/sensorproducts and ti.com/analog.

Power the System

TI offers regulators, fuel gauges, battery monitors, and load switches. The TPS709 linear dropout regulator can regulate MCU voltage, while devices like the TPS3839 reset IC accurately track battery activity to ensure safe MCU operation. More information at ti.com/power.

Transmit and Receive Data

TI offers wireless radios from sub-1 GHz to Wi-Fi®. The CC1101 is an integrated RF transceiver for low-power wireless applications. The TRF7970 transceiver enables low-power NFC solutions. The CC2564 paired with an MSP430 MCU provides dual-mode Bluetooth® connectivity. The CC3200 is a Wi-Fi solution for simplified internet connectivity. More information at ti.com/wireless.

A table lists technologies (NFC, Sub-1 GHz, Bluetooth/BLE, Wi-Fi, GPS) with corresponding hardware, software, and additional information links.

Microcontroller Catalog

FRAM: The Future of Embedded Memory

FRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory) combines the speed, ultra-low-power, endurance, and flexibility of SRAM with the reliability of Flash, enabling unified program and data memory for the lowest power and easiest-to-use architecture. Learn more at ti.com/fram.

What does this mean for you?

A table details FRAM specifications and compares it to SRAM, EEPROM, and Flash.

Detailed tables list MSP FRAM Series MCUs (up to 24 MHz) with specifications like part number, frequency, memory, SRAM, GPIO, peripherals, timers, AES, operating temperature, package group, and price.

MSP430G2xx and MSP430i2x Series – Up to 16 MHz

High performance for cost-sensitive applications. These 16-bit MCUs feature Flash-based ultra-low-power operation up to 16 MIPS with 1.8V – 3.6V operation. They include a very-low power oscillator (VLO), internal pull-up/pull-down resistors, and low-pin-count options.

Microcontroller parameters include Flash options (0.5 KB – 56 KB), RAM options (128 B – 4 KB), GPIO options (10, 16, 24, 28, 32 pins), ADC options (Slope, 10-bit SAR, 24-bit Sigma-Delta Converter), and other peripherals like Capacitive Touch I/O (CT) and High Frequency Oscillator (HF).

Detailed tables list MSP430G2xx and MSP430i2x Series MCUs with their specifications and prices.

F-Family: Ultra-low power with increased integration and performance

TI's largest family of microcontrollers offers ultra-low power with unmatched analog and digital integration. Parameters include Flash options (0.5 KB – 512 KB), RAM options (128 B – 64 KB), and GPIO options (up to 90 pins).

Detailed tables list MSP430F1xx, MSP430F12x, MSP430F13x, MSP430F14x, MSP430F15x, MSP430F16x, MSP430F2xx, MSP430F4xx, MSP430FG4xx, and MSP430FE4xx Series MCUs with their specifications and prices.

32-bit Low Power MCUs: MSP432P4x

MSP432P4x microcontrollers combine TI's MSP430 low-power DNA, advanced mixed-signal features, and the high-performance processing capabilities of ARM®'s 32-bit Cortex®-M4F RISC engine. They cater to applications requiring efficient data processing and enhanced low-power operation.

Key features include the 48-MHz ARM® Cortex®-M4F core with DSP extensions and FPU engine, industry-leading ultra-low power (95 µA per MHz active, 850 nA sleep with RTC), and an industry-best ULPBench score of 167.4. They also offer integrated LDO & DC/DC, selectable RAM retention, independent Flash banks, DriverLib in ROM, a 128-bit Flash buffer and pre-fetch, a 14-bit 1MSPS ADC, an 8-channel DMA, and NVIC with tail-chaining.

A table lists MSP432P401xx Series MCUs with their specifications and prices.

Package Options

Ultra-Low-Power MSP MCU Selected Package Options are presented with diagrams and dimensions for various pin counts and package types (SOIC, TSSOP, QFN, TVSOP, PDIP, RGE, DW, RTV, RHB, DA, RHA, RSB, RGZ, DL, PT, RGC, RTD, PM, PAG, ZQE, PN, PZ, ZQW, PEU). Die-Size BGA Packages are also shown.

Microcontroller Part Number Decoder

A decoder explains the structure of MSP microcontroller part numbers, breaking down components like Processor Family, MCU Platform, Device Type, Series, Feature Set, Optional Revision, Temperature Range, Packaging, Distribution Format, and Additional Features. Examples for MSP430 and MSP432 are provided.

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