Texas Instruments has just launched a successor for its 16-bit MSP430 MCU family with MSP432 MCU series featuring a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F core, a DSP, up to 256 KB flash, up to 64 KB SRAM, and according to the company ” delivering a ULPBench score of 167.4 outperforming all other Cortex-M3 and -M4F MCUs on the market”. The new MCU family targets consumer & portable electronics, building & factory automation & control, smart grid & energy, healthcare & fitness, and wearables applications.
Key features listed for MSP432P4xx:
- MCU – 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F up to 48 MHz with FPU and DSP. Delivers 3.4 Coremark/MHz
- Memory – Up to 64 KB RAM; Selectable RAM retention
- Storage – Up to 256 KB Flash; dual bank for simultaneous reading and writing
- Security – 256-bit AES encryption, JTAG access lock, 4 IP Protection regions
- EnergyTrace Technology
- Real-time power measurement and debugging
- Generate application energy profiles including current and CPU state
- Ultra-Low Power Consumption:
- 95 uA/MHz active mode
- 850 nA LPM3 (With RTC)
- Wake-Up From Standby Mode in < 10uS
- ADC – 24-ch 14-bit (13.2 ENOB) differential ADC; up to 1 MSPS; 375 uA at full speed
- Voltage – 1.62 to 3.7 V operation
There are currently 6 devices available with 32 to 64KB RAM, 128 to 256KB flash and various I/O options and packages.
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To allow customers to quickly evaluate the new MSP432 MCU, Texas Instruments also launched MSP432 LaunchPad Evaluation Kit based on MSP432P401R with 256KB flash and 64KB RAM.
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Key features listed for the kit:
- Low-power ARM Cortex-M4F MSP432P401R
- 40-pin LaunchPad standard that leverages the BoosterPack ecosystem
- XDS110-ET, an open-source onboard debugger featuring EnergyTrace+ technology and application UART
- Two buttons and two LEDs for user interaction
- Backchannel UART through USB to PC
The kit includes the board, a micro USB cable, and a quick start guide.
Software examples and hardware design files have been released for the board. Development can be performed with MSPWare Software Development Package either from the desktop or within a web browser. MSP432 MCUs are also said to support real-time operating system (RTOS) such as TI-RTOS, FreeRTOS and Micrium uC/OS.
MSP432P401RIPZ MCU is already sampling, while other upcoming devices will be available later, and pricing starts at $2.15 US in 1K units. MSP-EXP432P401R LaunchPad kit will sell for just $12.99, and the company can also provide MSP-TS432PZ100 target board for $89. You can find more details, including documentation, tools, and software for the boards, on Texas Instruments MSP432 product page.
Via Embedded.com
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Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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