TI Introduces Industry's First Family of Flash MCUs to Break 1 µA Barrier
Ultra-Low Power MCU Suitable for Cost Sensitive, Battery-Powered Measurement Applications
DALLAS (May 14, 2001) -- A new family of mixed-signal 16-bit Flash microcontrollers (MCUs) that are the industry's first to break the 1 micro-Ampere barrier is now available from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN). Combining ultra-low power, high-performance analog and a 16-bit reduced instruction set computer (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. (See http://www.ti.com/sc/msp6243u.)
The first two devices from the MSP430F4xx family announced today include the MSP430F413 with 8 kilobytes (kB) of ultra-low-power Flash memory and the 4 kB MSP430F412. Devices in the MSP430F4xx family consume less than 800 nano-Amps (nA) of current, typical in stand-by mode with an active crystal oscillator, timer and liquid crystal display (LCD) driver. The family's patented frequency locked loop (FLL) and digitally controlled oscillator provide a system wake-up with a stable high-speed system clock in less than 6 microseconds (µS), enabling the system to remain in battery saving stand-by mode up to 1000 times longer than other competing MCUs. When active, the new MCUs consume less than 250 µA 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 of MCUs offers our customers a strong upgrade path from our popular MSP430x3xx products, with a very compelling system solution from performance and cost perspective," said Mark Buccini, World Wide strategic marketing manager, MSP430, TI. "Not only is the device's power consumption dramatically reduced, high-performance analog capabilities are improved, including a new integrated supply voltage supervisor (SVS) and comparator module."
The new MSP430F4xx family incorporates the ultra-efficient 16-bit 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 V to 3.6 V at up to 8 million instructions per second (MIPS). The modern design of the 16-bit CPU generates industry-leading energy and code efficiency benchmarks and has an actual die size 30 percent smaller than common lower performance 8-bit 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 analog capabilities include an ultra-low-power SVS, a highly capable analog comparator and a driver for liquid crystal displays (LCD). The on-chip SVS assures the system will avoid brownout and lockup conditions. Precise analog measurements are accomplished with the device's analog 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.
Roadmap
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.
Development Tools
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.
Pricing and Availability
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 1,000 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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