TI's new MSP430F5xx generation allows for more scalability than ever

for MSP430 microcontrollers. The F5xx generation provides a broad range of

performance, memory, price, connectivity, and peripheral options to suite your

applications.

MSP430 generations:
There are six general generations of MSP430 processors. In order of development, they were the '3xx generation, the '1xx
generation, the '4xx generation, the '2xx generation, the '5xx generation, and the '6xx generation. The digit after the generation
identifies the model (generally higher model numbers are larger and more capable), the third digit identifies the amount of
memory on board, and the fourth, if present, identifies a minor model variant. The most common variation is a different onchip analog-to-digital converter.
The 3xx and 1xx generations were limited to a 16-bit address space. In the later generations this was expanded to include
'430X' instructions that allow a 20-bit address space. As happened with other processor architectures (e.g. the processor of
the PDP-11), extending the addressing range beyond the 16-bit word size introduced some peculiarities and inefficiencies for
programs larger than 64 kBytes.
In the following list, it helps to think of the typical 200 mAHr capacity of a CR2032 lithium coin cell as 200,000 AHr, or
22.8 Ayear. Thus, considering only the CPU draw, such a battery could supply a 0.7 A current draw for 32 years. (In reality,
battery self-discharge would reduce this number.)
The significance of the 'RAM retention' vs the 'real-time clock mode' is that in real time clock mode the CPU can go to sleep
with a clock running which will wake it up at a specific future time. In RAM retention mode, some external signal is required
to wake it, e.g. I/O pin signal or SPI slave receive interrupt.

MSP430x1xx series[edit]
The MSP430x1xx Series is the basic generation without an embedded LCD controller. They are generally smaller than the '3xx
generation. These flash- or ROM-based ultra-low-power MCUs offer 8 MIPS, 1.83.6 V operation, up to 60 KB flash, and a
wide range of analog and digital peripherals.

Power specification overview, as low as:

0.1 A RAM retention

0.7 A real-time clock mode

200 A / MIPS active

Features fast wake-up from standby mode in less than 6 s.

Device parameters

Flash options: 160 KB

ROM options: 116 KB

RAM options: 128 B10 KB

GPIO options: 14, 22, 48 pins

ADC options: Slope, 10 & 12-bit SAR

Other integrated peripherals: 12-bit DAC, up to 2 16-bit timers, watchdog timer, brown-out reset, SVS,
USART module (UART, SPI), DMA, 1616 multiplier, Comparator_A, temperature sensor

MSP430F2xx series:
The MSP430F2xx Series are similar to the '1xx generation, but operate at even lower power, support up to 16 MHz
operation, and have a more accurate (2%) on-chip clock that makes it easier to operate without an external crystal.
These flash-based ultra-low power devices offer 1.83.6 V operation. Includes the very-low power oscillator (VLO),
internal pull-up/pull-down resistors, and low-pin count options.

Power specification overview, as low as:

0.1 A RAM retention

0.3 A standby mode (VLO)

0.7 A real-time clock mode

220 A / MIPS active

Feature ultra-fast wake-up from standby mode in less than 1 s

Device parameters

Flash options: 1120 KB

RAM options: 128 B 8 KB

GPIO options: 10, 11, 16, 24, 32, and 48 pins

ADC options: Slope, 10 & 12-bit SAR, 16 & 24-bit Sigma Delta

Other integrated peripherals: operational amplifiers, 12-bit DAC, up to 2 16-bit timers, watchdog timer,
brown-out reset, SVS, USI module (IC, SPI), USCI module, DMA, 1616 multiplier, Comparator_A+,
temperature sensor

MSP430G2xx series[edit]
The MSP430G2xx Value Series features flash-based Ultra-Low Power MCUs up to 16 MIPS with 1.83.6 V operation.
Includes the Very-Low power Oscillator (VLO), internal pull-up/pull-down resistors, and low-pin count options, at lower
prices than the MSP430F2xx series.

Ultra-Low Power, as low as (@2.2 V):

0.1 A RAM retention

0.4 A Standby mode (VLO)

0.7 A real-time clock mode

220 A / MIPS active

Ultra-Fast Wake-Up From Standby Mode in <1 s

Device parameters

Flash options: 0.556 KB

RAM options: 128 B4 KB

GPIO options: 10, 16, 24, 32 pins

ADC options: Slope, 10-bit SAR

Other integrated peripherals: Capacitive Touch I/O, up to 3 16-bit timers, watchdog timer, brown-out reset,
USI module (IC, SPI), USCI module, Comparator_A+, Temp sensor

MSP430x3xx series[edit]
The MSP430x3xx Series is the oldest generation, designed for portable instrumentation with an embedded LCD controller.
This also includes a frequency-locked loop oscillator that can automatically synchronize to a low-speed (32 kHz) crystal. This
generation does not support EEPROM memory, only mask ROM and UV-eraseable and one-time programmable EPROM.
Later generations provide only flash memory and mask ROM options. These devices offer 2.55.5 V operation, up to 32 KB
ROM.

Power specification overview, as low as:

0.1 A RAM retention

0.9 A real-time clock mode

160 A / MIPS active

Features fast wake-up from standby mode in less than 6 s.

Device parameters:

ROM options: 232 KB

RAM options: 512 B1 KB

GPIO options: 14, 40 pins

ADC options: Slope, 14-bit SAR

Other integrated peripherals: LCD controller, multiplier

MSP430x4xx series[edit]
The MSP430x4xx Series are similar to the '3xx generation, but include an integrated LCD controller, and are larger and more
capable. These flash or ROM based devices offers 816 MIPS at 1.83.6 V operation, with FLL, and SVS. Ideal for low power
metering and medical applications.

Power specification overview, as low as:

0.1 A RAM retention

0.7 A real-time clock mode

200 A / MIPS active

Features fast wake-up from standby mode in less than 6 s.

Device parameters:

Flash/ROM options: 4 120 KB

RAM options: 256 B 8 KB

GPIO options: 14, 32, 48, 56, 68, 72, 80 pins

ADC options: Slope, 10 & 12-bit SAR, 16-bit Sigma Delta

Other integrated peripherals: SCAN_IF, ESP430, 12-bit DAC, Op Amps, RTC, up to 2 16-bit timers,
watchdog timer, basic timer, brown-out reset, SVS, USART module (UART, SPI), USCI module, LCD
Controller, DMA, 1616 & 32x32 multiplier, Comparator_A, temperature sensor, 8 MIPS CPU Speed

MSP430x5xx series[edit]
The MSP430x5xx Series are able to run up to 25 MHz, have up to 512 KB flash memory and up to 66 KB RAM. This flashbased family features low active power consumption with up to 25 MIPS at 1.83.6 V operation (165 uA/MIPS). Includes an
innovative power management module for optimal power consumption and integrated USB. [3]

Power specification overview, as low as:

0.1 A RAM retention

2.5 A real-time clock mode

165 A / MIPS active

Features fast wake-up from standby mode in less than 5 s.

Device parameters:

Flash options: up to 512 KB

RAM options: up to 66 KB

ADC options: 10 & 12-bit SAR

GPIO options: 29, 31, 47, 48, 63, 67, 74, 87 pins

Other integrated peripherals: High resolution PWM, 5 V I/O's, USB, backup battery switch, up to 4 16-bit
timers, watchdog timer, Real-Time Clock, brown-out reset, SVS, USCI module, DMA, 32x32 multiplier,
Comp B, temperature sensor

MSP430x6xx series[edit]

The MSP430x6xx Series are able to run up to 25 MHz, have up to 512 KB flash memory and up to 66 KB RAM. This flashbased family features low active power consumption with up to 25 MIPS at 1.83.6 V operation (165 uA/MIPS). Includes an
innovative power management module for optimal power consumption and integrated USB.

Power specification overview, as low as:

0.1 A RAM retention

2.5 A real-time clock mode

165 A / MIPS active

Features fast wake-up from standby mode in less than 5 s.

Device parameters:

Flash options: up to 512 KB

RAM options: up to 66 KB

ADC options: 12-bit SAR

GPIO options: 74 pins

Other integrated peripherals: USB, LCD, DAC, Comparator_B, DMA, 32x32 multiplier, power management
module (BOR, SVS, SVM, LDO), watchdog timer, RTC, Temp sensor

RF SoC (CC430) series[edit]

The RF SoC (CC430) Series provides tight integration between the microcontroller core, peripherals, software, and
RF transceiver. Features <1 GHz RF transceiver, with 1.8 V3.6 V operation.

Power specification overview, as low as:

1 A RAM retention

1.7 A real-time clock mode

180 A / MIPS active

Device parameters:

Speed options: up to 20 MHz

Flash options: up to 32 KB

RAM options: up to 4 KB

ADC options: 12-bit SAR

GPIO options: 30 & 44 pins

Other integrated peripherals: LCD Controller, up to 2 16-bit timers, watchdog timer, RTC, power
management module (BOR, SVS, SVM, LDO), USCI module, DMA, 32x32 multiplier, Comp B,
temperature sensor

FRAM series[edit]

The FRAM Series from Texas Instruments provides unified memory with dynamic partitioning and memory access
speeds 100 times faster than flash. FRAM is also capable of zero power state retention in all power modes, which
means that writes are guaranteed, even in the event of a power loss. With a write endurance of over 100 trillion
cycles, EEPROM is no longer required. Active power consumption at less than 100A/MHz.

Power specification overview, as low as:

320 nA RAM retention

0.35 A real-time clock mode

82 A / MIPS active

Device parameters:

Speed options: 8 to 24 MHz

FRAM options: 4 to 128 KB

RAM options: 0.5 to 2 KB

ADC options: 10 or 12-bit SAR

GPIO options: 17 to 83 GPIO pins

Other possible integrated peripherals: MPU, up to 6 16-bit timers, watchdog timer, RTC, power
management module (BOR, SVS, SVM, LDO), USCI module, DMA, multiplier, Comp B,
temperature sensor, LCD driver, I2C and UART BSL, Extended Scan Interface, AES, IR modulation

Low voltage series[edit]

The Low Voltage Series include the MSP430C09x and MSP430L092 parts. These 2 series of low voltage 16 bit
microcontrollers have configurations with two 16-bit timers, an 8-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, an 8-bit
digital-to-analog (D/A) converter, and up to 11 I/O pins. For more information, see Low Voltage Wiki.

Power specification overview, as low as:

1 A RAM retention

1.7 A real-time clock mode

180 A / MIPS active

Device parameters:

Speed options: 4 MHz

ROM options: 12 kB

SRAM options: 2 kB

ADC options: 8-bit SAR

GPIO options: 11 pins

Other integrated peripherals: up to 2 16-bit timers, watchdog timer, brown-out reset, SVS,
comparator, temperature sensor

Other MSP430 families[edit]

Additional families within MSP430 include Fixed Function, Automotive, and Extended Temp parts.Fixed Function:
The MSP430BQ1010 16-bit microcontroller is an advanced fixed-function device that forms the control and
communications unit on the receiver side for wireless power transfer in portable applications. MSP430BQ1010
complies with the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) specification. For more information, see Contactless Power.
Automotive: Automotive MSP430 microcontrollers (MCUs) from Texas Instruments (TI) are 16-bit, RISC-based,
mixed-signal processors that are AEC-Q100 qualified and suitable for automotive applications in environments up
to 105 C ambient temperature. LIN compliant drivers for the MSP430 MCU provided by IHR GmbH.
Extended Temp: MSP430 devices are very popular in harsh environments such as industrial sensing for their low
power consumption and innovative analog integration. Some harsh environment applications include
transportation/automotive, renewable energy, military/space/avionics, mineral exploration, industrial, and safety &
security.

Device Definitions:

HT: -55 C to 150 C

EP: Enhanced products -55 C to 125 C

Q1: Automotive Q100 qualified -40 C to 105 C

T: Extended temperature -40 C to 105 C applications

Note that when the flash size is over 64K words (128 KBytes), instruction addresses can no longer be encoded in
just two bytes. This change in pointer size causes some incompatibilities with previous parts.