Low Voltage Overview

We’d like to introduce you to the MSP430L092, the world’s first true 0.9V operating microcontroller. So, what exactly does this mean? The MSP430L092 has the capability to run all analog and digital logic at 0.9V, without boosting parts of the logic to a higher voltage. This device is the first in its class and will enable products to run directly from a single cell battery. Let’s take a closer look at the features inside the MSP430L092.

Introducing the MSP430 0.9-V Microcontroller

MSP430L092 Devices

At the core of the L092 is a 16-bit RISC architecture CPU running at 4MHz. The supply voltage range is an incredibly low 0.9V to 1.65V. The active mode power consumption is 45uA/MHz. The memory configuration consists of up to 2kB RAM and 2kB ROM. The same instruction set used on this device can be used across the entire MSP430 platform to assure code compatibility. There is a brownout reset integrated, which consumes zero power and is always on. The new Compact Clock System has a 20kHz low-frequency oscillator, a 1MHz high-frequency oscillator and the ability to source an external clock up to 4MHz. There are several timer peripherals, such as the 32-bit Watchdog timer and two 16-bit general purpose timers. This device is offered in a 14-pin TSSOP package which includes 11 I/Os that are also interrupt capable. The Analog Pool IP has several new features.

Designed from the ground up for ultra low voltage operations, the Analog Pool, or APOOL, is a highly integrated and extremely flexible analog module. The basic blocks of the APOOL are a 256mV voltage reference, a Comparator, and an 8-bit DAC. These blocks combined create an 8-bit ADC, a System Voltage Monitor, or temperature sensing function. Internal voltage dividers can extend this range to 500mV, 1V or 2V input, supporting analog operations across the full range of a typical single cell battery.

The MSP430L092 Family of Low Voltage Microcontrollers

For more information:

MSP430L092

Technical Documents:

Datasheet
MSP430L092, MSP430C09x Mixed Signal Microcontroller (PDF 601 KB)

User Guide
MSP430x09x Family User's Guide (PDF 1387 KB)

Errata
MSP430x09x Device Erratasheet (PDF 121 KB)

MSP430L092 Development

Moving on to development, the MSP430L092 hardware offers a true 0.9V evaluation & testing environment while ensuring seamless debugging with traditional 3V interface.

The MSP430L092 EVM consists of 2 separate PCB boards. The first one, the L092 target board, contains the socket for the device, an EEPROM to store the firmware, two LEDs for debugging purposes, and the breakout pins for prototyping. The second board essentially translates 3V power and JTAG signals from the popular MSP430USB-FET down to 1.5V level for the L092 target board. Connecting these two boards allows for a transparent interface to debug your 0.9V MSP430L092 application from the supported IDEs.

For more information: Technical Overview of the L092 - 45-minute narrated powerpoint flash presentation

Development Boards
MSP-FET430U092 ($149) - 14-Pin Socket Target Board and USB Programmer for MSP430L092
MSP-TS430L092 ($99)- 14-Pin Socket Target Board for MSP430L092

IDEs
Looking for a free MSP430 C compiler / IDE?
Check out IAR Kickstart & IAR Getting Started Guide
and Code Composer Studio

For technical support on MSP430 please post your questions on The MSP430 Forum. Please post only comments about the article Low Voltage Microcontrollers from MSP430 here.