DALLAS /PRNewswire/ -- Offering total system power savings for co-processor designs, Texas Instruments (TI) announces the new MSP430F521x/F522x microcontroller family. These new microcontrollers support a main supply rail (1.8 V - 3.6 V) and I/O supply rail (1.8 V +/-10%), eliminating the need for level translators and offering system-level advantages such as reduced system cost and increased flexibility. Featuring this new dual voltage rail capability, the F521x/F522x microcontrollers can operate as an ultra-low-power co-processor to higher power/performance devices such as TI's OMAP processor and Sitara platforms. For example, the new MSP430 microcontrollers can be used to offload functions such as sensor hub, keyboard control, battery/power management, capacitive touch, haptics, and proximity detection with lower power consumption compared with running these within an application processor. With a fast wake-up time at 3.5 µs and as little as 1.4 µA power consumption in standby mode, the F521x/F522x microcontrollers can extend battery life from hours to days.
TI also offers a F521x/F522x-based 9-axis sensor fusion solution that works with a wide range of popular sensors in the market, providing greater flexibility to developers and broadening the devices' reach in battery-operated mobile computing and health and fitness applications. Additionally, F521/F22x devices add support of the latest Windows 8 operating system human interface device (HID) over I2C protocol. Using this protocol offers significant power savings advantages compared with HID over USB in applications like sensor hub and keyboard control in tablets, ultrabooks, and other Windows 8-based products.
Get Started Quickly
MSP430F521x/F522x microcontrollers are compatible with MSP430Ware software, so developers can access code examples to simplify development and speed time to market. Additionally, F521x/F522x microcontrollers are code-compatible with all MSP430 devices for broader scalability across TI's MSP portfolio. Application notes are also available online for a 9-axis sensor fusion algorithm as well as keyboard controller with HID over USB. For the HID over I2C solution, please contact your local TI sales associate for more information.
Additional Features and Benefits
- Bridge between application processor and other technologies, including sensors, keyboards, radio frequency, Bluetooth low-energy technology and Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for expensive level-shifting circuits to translate 1.8 V signals to 3.6 V signals, saving size, cost, and power
- Active power at 290 µA/MHz in Flash and 150 µA/MHz in RAM, standby mode at 1.4 µA and ultra-fast wakeup at 3.5 µs for ultra-low-power consumption
- Low-power peripherals, including comparator, multiple communication interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO), real time clock module, 10-bit ADC and multiple 16-bit timers
- Multiple package sizes that offer versatility with 48- and 64-pin QFN, 80-pin BGA options with up to 128k memory and a 3.5 mm by 3.5 mm YFF package (available in 1Q13), enabling small footprint in portable computing applications.
Pricing and Availability
MSP430F521x/F522x microcontrollers are priced from $2.05 for 1K units and samples are immediately available. Customers can contact local sales representatives or visit the company's Web site for more information on available HID over I2C solutions. The MSP-TS430RGC64C target socket is now available for $99. The MSP-FET430U64C target socket and UIF emulator is also now available for $149 from TI's eStore.
Find out more about TI's MSP430F521x/F522x microcontrollers by visiting the links below:
- MSP430 F521x/F522x microcontrollers
- MSP430F521x/F522x data sheet
- 9-axis sensor fusion app note
- Keyboard controller, with HID over USB app note
- MSP430 tools page
- MSP430 software page
TI's MCUs and Software Portfolio
From ultra-low-power and Value Line MSP430 MCUs to Stellaris Cortex-M MCUs to real-time control C2000 MCUs and Hercules safety MCUs, TI offers the broadest range of microcontroller solutions. Designers can accelerate time to market by tapping into TI's complete software and hardware tools, extensive third-party offerings, and technical support.
About TI
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Trademarks
MSP430, C2000, Hercules, OMAP, Sitara, and E2E are trademarks of Texas Instruments. Stellaris is a registered trademark. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the U.St. and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective owners.