Texas Instruments has announced its MSP430F66xx family of 16-bit MCUs, featuring 512K Flash and 64K RAM. The expanded memory not only allows embedded developers to incorporate more complex algorithms and software libraries, but also enables reliable firmware updates as code size increases.

The new MCU family also integrates a 160-segment LCD driver, USB capabilities, and a full analog signal chain to reduce parts count and enhance performance in embedded designs for applications including blood glucose meters, home automation, activity monitors, and low-power wireless applications. The related MSP430F56xx MCU family offers similar capabilities without the integrated LCD functionality.

According to TI, the larger non-volatile memory in MSP430F66xx MCUs responds to growing need for design flexibility through the use of firmware updates through wireless or USB connections. As application code bases continue to expand, earlier MCU configurations can lack sufficient non-volatile memory to maintain two full copies of the firmware – both the original and the updated version – until the new version completes the download process and passes integrity checks.

The need for larger firmware stores continues to be driven by more advanced protocol stacks and profiles as well as increasingly complex algorithms finding their way into more sophisticated medical, health and fitness applications. For example, fitness applications built around 9-axis sensor data and health applications conforming to new FDA standards for blood-glucose meters serve as more immediate drivers for increased code complexity and firmware size.

Key features of MSP430F66xx MCUs include:

Code and pin compatible across the F5xx/F6xx series

Supported wireless connectivity protocols include Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), NFC (near field communications), sub-1 GHz, ZigBee including SEP 2.0 architecture and Wi-Fi connectivity

Increased memory plus analog signal chain including 12-bit ADC and DAC

Ultra-low standby power as low as 2uA with RAM retention enabled for 3us fast wake-up

Compatible with the Code Composer Studio IDE

The non-LCD MSP430F56xx MCUs offer pin and code compatibility with the 256k MSP430F563x MCUs

Software support for the new devices includes the TI MSP430 Driver Library, the TI MSP430 USB Developers Package, and the Micrium RTOS µC/OS-II, as well as a variety of wired and wireless protocol stacks such as the Bluetooth HDP (Health Device Profile) enabling Continua Certified telehealth applications. TI also offers target boards including the MSP-TS430PZ100C and MSP-TS430PZ100USB.

The TI MSP430F56xx and MSP430F66xx MCUs are priced from $4.25 in volume with samples now available. The TI MSP-TS430PZ100C and MSP-TS430PZ100USB target boards are available for $75.

For more information, visit TI's MSP430F66xx MCU page at ti.com/f66xx-pr-pf.

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