New Low-Power 16-bit MSP430 from TI Demonstrates Boasts Unprecedented Analog Integration

  

TI Introduces First Ultra-Low-Power MCU-Based Signal-Chain-on-Chip

DALLAS (Oct. 22, 2002) - Designers can now tackle the toughest low-power monitoring, control and measurement application design challenges thanks to new technical advancements in high performance analog signal chain integration announced today by Texas Instruments (TI) (NYSE: TXN).  As the industry's first ultra-low-power MCU-based signal-chain-on-chip (SCoC), the MSP430F169 combines an 8-channel 200ksps 12-bit A/D converter, two 12-bit D/A converters and a programmable direct memory access controller (DMA), and is ideal for power, space, and cost sensitive applications.

Device Features
This device includes:

• MSP430 Low-Power 16-bit RISC Core
• 16-bit hardware multiplier
• 60kB Flash
• 2kB RAM
• watchdog timer
• Three-Channel Internal DMA
• 12-Bit A/D Converter With Internal Reference, Sample-and-Hold and Autoscan Feature
• Dual 12-Bit D/A Converters With Synchronization
• 16-Bit Timer With Seven Capture/Compare-With-Shadow Registers, Timer_B
• 16-Bit Timer With Three Capture/Compare Registers, Timer_A
• 12-bit A/D Converter
• 16-Bit Timer With Seven Capture/Compare-With-Shadow Registers, Timer_B
• 16-Bit Timer With Three Capture/Compare Registers, Timer_A
• On-Chip Comparator
• Serial Onboard Programming
• Programmable Code Protection by Security Fuse
• Bootstrap Loader
• Serial Communication Interface (USART1), Functions as Asynchronous UART or Synchronous Interface
• Serial Communication Interface (USART0), Functions as Asynchronous UART or Synchronous SPI or I²C Interface
• Brownout Detector
• Supply Voltage Supervisor/Monitor With Programmable Level Detection
• 10 channels PWM
• two USARTs
• I2C interface
• supply voltage supervisor (SVS)
• Package: 64-pin QFP

Future family members will include a range of memory options, including devices with expanded RAM up to 10kB.

MSP530x16x Block Diagram

With a 12-bit analog to digital converter (ADC) and two 12-bit digital to analog converters (DAC) under the autonomous control of a 3-channel DMA, designers can now implement a complete closed loop system in their low-power applications ranging from laser pump and thermoelectric cooler (TEC) control to remote networked meter-reading installations.

The DMA expands MCU-based signal processing possibilities by allowing data transfer without CPU intervention. The DMA eliminates data any transfer delays to and from the on-chip peripherals, which frees the 16-bit RISC CPU to process data, instead of performing data transfers.

The on-chip DAC module, coupled with the DMA, provides a greater than 10x increase in the achievable analog output signal frequency compared to that possible when using an external D/A converter and software.

"The MSP430F16x enables engineers for the first time to implement truly high-performance signal-processing functions in real world MCU applications," said Mark Buccini, TI's MSP430 product line marketing manager. "This performance boost allows new and simultaneous MCU-based signal processing capabilities in a wide range of metering, consumer and white goods products."

Ultra-Low-Power Performance
A flexible clock system, with five low-power modes, enables unmatched ultra-low-power performance.  The MSP430F169 features a typical standby current consumption of just 1.6uA with the real-time-clock (RTC) active. Engineers can tune system clocking to meet the power requirements for their application.  For high-performance applications, an  integrated digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) or external high-speed crystal can be used to clock the system at 280uA per MIP.  Fast instruction execution, coupled with the MSP430's CPU start-up from standby of less than 6 microseconds, results in total power consumption up to 10 times lower than competitive devices. 

Development Tool Support
The MSP430F169 is compatible with existing MSP-FET430P140 toolkits.  The MSP-FET supports real-time in-system debug and development by accessing the Flash device's embedded emulation capability. The tool comes with a JTAG interface target board, Flash devices, and an integrated development environment (IDE) including debugger, assembler/linker and 4kB IAR C-Compiler.

Availability
General release of pre-production MSP430F169 samples is planned for first quarter 2003 and will be priced at $7.95 in 1,000 piece quantities (suggested resale pricing).

About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet customers' real world signal processing requirements.  In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions.  TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.