What could you do with 0.5KB of memory if you had a 25 cent MCU?

You’ve probably been using fixed-function integrated circuits (ICs) for quite some time now, and in some cases accepting their limited flexibility. A simple universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART)-to-Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bridge, a reset controller or an external real-time controller (RTC) with backup memory are specialized in their functions and can’t go beyond them.

But what if you could add intelligence or tailor these simple functions to better meet your needs? What if you could implement these individual functions using separate low-cost MCUs?

The new MSP430™ value line sensing MCU family enables you to implement simple sensing solutions through a variety of integrated mixed-signal features. To add to these low-cost MCUs, TI created a library of code examples for 25 common system-level functions, including timers, input/output (I/O) expanders, system reset controllers, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and more.

The 25 functions are divided into four functional categories ubiquitous in standard circuits: system and housekeeping, pulse-width modulation, timers, and communications. The majority of code examples fit in under 0.5KB of memory when using the MSP430FR2000 device, and the lowest-cost MSP430 MCU is priced as low as 29 cents in 1,000-unit quantities – 25 cents in higher volumes.Figure 1 gives you an overview about some of the discrete function IC’s such as an external watchdog or a real time clock IC which you can replace by one of our 25 function set. If you use more than one of the shown IC’s or functionalities (such as timer or PWM), you could even combine multiple functions and adapt them to your application to reduce effort and board space.

Figure 1: A few examples of the 25 functions

To help you get started, TI has compiled an e-book containing 25 brief application notes with links to source code. Within a couple of minutes you’ll be able to compile, download and run the source code on your target MSP430 value line sensing MCU. Adapt the functions to your application needs and thereby reduce your time to market significantly.

As you start exploring this programmable alternative to many fixed-function ICs (and we look forward to seeing what you can do with the 25 functions), we’ll continue to build out the application note series.

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