Texas Instruments' MSP430 Ultra-Low-Power MCU is an ideal fit for numerous wireless solutions including 27MHz, RFID and energy efficient, low power RF networks based on standards such as IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee™. The MSP430 product line offers the unique combination of ultra-low-power consumption and power saving mechanisms, along with high performance integrated analog. The result is a complete portfolio of code and architecture compatible devices.

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MSP430 and TI's RF solutions are perfect for applications such as wireless keyboard/mouse, wireless VoIP, remote controls and wireless gaming accessories. They're also ideal for home and building automation applications such as alarm and security systems, automatic meter reading systems, active RFID systems and other monitoring and control systems.

MSP430 for Wireless Applications

eZ430-RF2500: Low Power RF Joins the MSP430 on a Development Tool

Wirelessly enable your design with the eZ430-RF2500, the world's smallest low-power wireless development tool. At only $49, the tool includes a USB emulator to program and debug your application in-system and two 2.4-GHz wireless target boards featuring the highly integrated MSP430F2274 ultra-low-power MCU. All the required software is included such as a complete Integrated Development Environment and SimpliciTI™, a propriety low-power star network stack, enabling robust wireless networks out of the box. The MSP430F22x4 combines 16-MIPS performance with a 200-ksps 10-bit ADC and 2 op-amps and is paired with the CC2500 multi-channel RF transceiver designed for low-power wireless applications.

Low Power RF

The Low-Power RF product line from TI includes a broad range of proprietary and standards-based RF-ICs for applications in the Sub-1 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands. Together with MSP430 Ultra-Low-Power MCUs, designers can achieve low power consumption, long range and reliable performance at a competitive price. The MSP430 Experimenter’s Board supports Low-Power RF evaluation modules and the MSP430 Interface to CC1100/CC2500 Code Library provides all functions needed to facilitate interfacing an MSP430 to these RF devices. For more information on TI’s RF solutions, see Low-Power RF.

• IEEE 802.15.4 Networks
  IEEE 802.15.4 is a wireless radio frequency standard for low-power and short range applications. This standard is ideal for simple point-to-point or point-to-multipoint networks. Systems that start with an 802.15.4-based proprietary network can later be upgraded with new software and evolve to a ZigBee compliant system. A FREE medium access control software stack from Texas Instruments (TIMAC) is available.
• Zigbee™ Networks
  ZigBee is a low-power wireless network standard that offers mesh networking as well as interoperability between different vendors' products. ZigBee is a network layer on top of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard (PHY and MAC layers). TI is a leading ZigBee provider and feattures a Free ZigBee protocol stack, Z-STACK, for TI's Low-Power RF transceivers and the MSP430.
• Proprietary/Non-Standard Based Networks
  For those wishing to implement their own proprietary network rather than a standard-based network, MSP430 together with TI’s proprietary RF devices are an ideal solution for low-cost, low-power wireless applications. Solutions are available for the Sub-1GHz or 2.4 GHz frequency ranges.
• SimpliciTI™ Network Protocol
  SimpliciTI is a simple low-power RF network protocol aimed at small (<256 node) RF networks. Such networks typically contain battery operated devices which require long battery life, low data rate and low duty cycle and have a limited number of nodes talking directly to each other or through an access point or range extenders. With SimpliciTI the MCU resource requirements are minimal which results in the low system cost.

Getting Started with MSP430 and Low-Power RF Devices

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Development Resources

For starting with MSP430 and Low-Power RF devices, we recommend the following set-up.

• (2) MSP-EXP430FG4618 Experimenter Boards
• (2) CC1100-433, CC1100-868 or CC2500 EMKs
• IDE (IAR Workbench or Code Composer 2.0 have limited versions for free download)
• MSP-FET430UIF or equivalent MSP430 Programming and Debugging Interface
• MSP430 Interface to CC1100/CC2500 Code Library

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27 MHz

TI's MSP430 ultra-low-power MCU together with TI's TRF79xx 27-MHz transmitter module are optimal for high performance, low-power human interface device (HID) applications, such as a wireless mouse or keyboard. The MSP430 provides an interface for button control, scroll wheel and communication to the sensor and RF transmitter. MSP430’s many ultra-low-power modes are used to utilize maximum power savings. For more information on RF devices, see 27MHz.

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RFID

The TRF7960/7961 is a high-frequency (13.56 MHz), multi-standard radio frequency identification (RFID) reader IC product family which supports ISO/IEC 14443A/B, ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3 and TI's contactless commerce and third party network. A reference design and source code for an evaluation module, with MSP430, is available for easy evaluation. For more information, see TI's RFID Systems.

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Other Resources

MSP430 Third Party Wireless Solutions

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Further Resources

• View the entire selection of TI's Wireless Applications.
• View TI's Low Power RF Developer Network.

MSP430 Supports