Microcontroller targets low-cost analog front ends

Texas Instruments Inc. introduces the MSP430AFE2xx series of metrology analog front end (AFE) ultra-low-power 16bit microcontrollers. The low-cost MSP430AFE series claims the industry's first programmable single-phase metrology devices supported with multiple communication interfaces. The microcontrollers enable system partitioning in metering applications, such as electricity meters, home automation, sub-metering and energy saving systems, which allows flexible, standalone, high-quality measurement. The MSP430AFE series is based on a 16bit RISC architecture with a system frequency of 12MHz, offering three times the system speed over competing parts to drive increased functionality. The microcontroller achieves less than 0.1 percent error in energy accuracy over a wide dynamic range of 2400:1, enabled by three independent 24bit sigma-delta converters supporting anti-tamper.

The MSP430AFE2xx series is supported by multiple tools, demos and EVMs to provide several options for developers to begin evaluation and move quickly to production. Allowing users to manage energy usage and begin saving money, the RF-capable MSP430 Energy Watchdog demo displays the electricity consumption of any plug-in appliance on an LCD display. The programmable MSP430AFE EVM can be used to test the new MSP430AFE2xx as a calibrated electricity meter. Additionally, the MSP-TS430PW24 target board and MSP-FET430U24 flash emulation tool can be used to program and debug the MSP430AFE devices.

Other features of the MSP430AFE2xx Series are comprehensive TI libraries for measuring energy, power, voltage, current and several other key metering criteria provide quick and robust single-phase metrology implementation; up to 16KB Flash and 512B RAM provides design flexibility with programmable memory via SPI and UART interfaces; and fast ramp to production supported by multiple development tools, EVMs and demos and free, downloadable software debuggers and compilers, including Code Composer Studio IDE and IAR Embedded Workbench.

The MSP430AFE2xx microcontrollers are priced from $0.80 for 1,000 units and are immediately available. The MSP-TS430PW24 stand alone target board is priced at $75 and can be ordered at the company website. The MSP-FET430U24 flash emulation tool including software and target board is priced at $149. The MSP430 Energy Watchdog demo and MSP430AFE EVM are available in limited quantities. Please contact local sales representative for additional details.