Continuing its commitment to provide more low-cost options to 8-bit developers, Texas Instruments Incorporated announced 64 new ultra-low-power MSP430 Value Line microcontrollers (MCUs) that offer 16-bit performance at an 8-bit price. The new MSP430G2xx2 MCUs include integrated capacitive touch IOs, allowing developers to interface directly with capacitive touch pads, eliminating the need for additional hardware and components. Additionally, the MSP430 MCU Value Line expansion provides extra package and memory options, providing developers with increased design flexibility.
Key features and benefits of the Value Line G2xx2 MCUs
- Integrated capacitive touch IOs eliminate the need for external passive components, reducing system level BOM
- Increased memory ranges of up to 8KB Flash and 256B RAM to support more advanced applications
- Additional package options with increased pin counts (20-pin TSSOP and PDIP) offer more flexibility when programming and designing form factors
- Optimized efficiency with ultra-low standby power of 0.4 microamps and <1 microseconds wake-up time as well as integrated intelligent peripherals, such as 10-bit ADCs, UART, comparator and serial communication
- Supported by complete hardware and software development environment with free, downloadable software debuggers and compilers, including Code Composer Studio IDE and IAR Embedded Workbench, and LaunchPad development kit
- Code compatible across MSP430 platform providing easy migration path for added scalability
Capacitive Touch Sense IOs
The G2xx2 and upcoming G2xx3 families feature an innovative capacitive touch sense IO design. Additional circuits are added to regular GPIO modules to generate the pin oscillation, eliminating external components. Advantages to the designer using this include:
- No external components to create the oscillation
- The cap can be connected directly
- No need for external MUXes to allow multiple pads
- Each pad can directly serve as a cap sense input
- Hysteresis of ~0.7v – robust operation
Pricing and availability
The new MSP430G2xx2 MCUs are priced from $0.33 for 100K units and samples are immediately available. The MSP430 MCU Value Line LaunchPad development kit (MSP-EXP430G2) is priced at $4.30.
Complete LaunchPad Development Kit for $4.30
Easily launch your applications with MSP-EXP430G2 LaunchPad development.
LaunchPad features:
- Integrated flash emulation for simple programming and debugging via USB (mini USB cable included)
- Includes MSP430G2211IN14 and MSP430G2231IN14 Value Line devices
- Breakout pins are easily accessible for interfacing external components or daughter cards
- Free software compiler and debuggers are available from both Code Composer Studio version 4 and IAR Embedded Workbench
- Open source code examples, projects and hardware design files are free and available for download
