Texas Instruments MSP430A142IRHAR

Overview

MSP430A142IRHAR from Texas Instruments is an ultra-low-power 16-bit mixed-signal microcontroller in the MSP430F22x2 family, featuring 8KB Flash, 512B RAM, a 10-bit 200-ksps ADC with internal reference and DTC, dual 16-bit timers (Timer_A3 and Timer_B3), USCI_A0/USCI_B0 serial interfaces, and 32 I/O pins. It operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V and targets battery-powered sensor nodes and portable measurement systems.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430A142IRHAR datasheet, MSP430A142IRHAR pinout, MSP430A142IRHAR application, or MSP430A142IRHAR equivalent, key selection criteria include its QFN-40 package footprint, 32 general-purpose I/Os with analog input capability on 16 channels, integrated op-amps (not present in F22x2), low-power LPM4 mode (0.1 µA), and Spy-Bi-Wire debug interface compatibility.

Technical Context

The MSP430A142IRHAR implements a 16-bit RISC CPU with constant generators and seven addressing modes, enabling single-cycle register operations. Its basic clock system includes a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) calibrated to ±1% at 1 MHz, 32-kHz LF crystal support, and HF crystal/resonator options up to 16 MHz.

Peripherals are memory-mapped and accessible via standard instructions. The device supports five software-selectable low-power modes (LPM0–LPM4), with wake-up from LPM4 in under 1 µs using the DCO. Interrupt handling uses fixed vector addresses from 0FFFEh down to 0FFC0h, with priority-based servicing across 31 sources including ADC, timers, USCI, and port interrupts.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 40-pin QFN (RHA), 6 mm × 6 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch, exposed thermal pad (connected to DVSS).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ultra-low-power mixed-signal microcontroller applications.

Compared with MSP430F2252IRHA and MSP430F2272IRHA, the MSP430A142IRHAR provides optimal balance of code space, RAM, and power for cost-sensitive, single-function sensor nodes-reducing BOM cost without sacrificing debug capability or analog integration.

Availability

MSP430A142IRHAR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless sensor nodes, portable medical monitors, and industrial data loggers requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent parametric performance across production batches.

Supply support for MSP430A142IRHAR includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader delivering analog, embedded processing, and connectivity solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The MSP430F22x2 product line delivers ultra-low-power mixed-signal MCUs optimized for battery-operated sensing, measurement, and control applications where energy efficiency and analog integration are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MSP430A142IRHAR?

The MSP430A142IRHAR supports a maximum system clock (MCLK) frequency of 16 MHz using an external HF crystal or resonator. Its internal DCO is factory-calibrated to ±1% accuracy at 1 MHz, 8 MHz, and 12 MHz, enabling reliable high-speed operation without external components in many applications. The CPU executes instructions at 62.5 ns per cycle at 16 MHz, and the MSP430A142IRHAR maintains full peripheral functionality-including ADC sampling and USCI baud rate generation-at this speed.

Does the MSP430A142IRHAR include operational amplifiers?

No, the MSP430A142IRHAR does not include operational amplifiers. It belongs to the MSP430F22x2 series, which lacks the two configurable op-amps found in the MSP430F22x4 variants (e.g., MSP430F2274). Pin functions such as OA0I0, OA0O, and OA1I1 listed in some documentation apply exclusively to F22x4 devices and are not implemented in the MSP430A142IRHAR. All op-amp-related pins on the MSP430A142IRHAR default to general-purpose I/O or alternate digital functions.

What debug interface does the MSP430A142IRHAR support?

The MSP430A142IRHAR supports the Spy-Bi-Wire (SBW) interface using pins TEST/SBWTCK (Pin 1) and RST/NMI/SBWTDIO (Pin 6). This two-wire interface enables full-featured debugging, flash programming, and real-time trace via tools like the MSP-FET430UIF. Unlike full JTAG, SBW requires only two connections and is natively supported by Code Composer Studio and IAR Embedded Workbench. The MSP430A142IRHAR does not support four-wire JTAG.

Can the MSP430A142IRHAR operate from a single 1.8-V supply?

Yes, the MSP430A142IRHAR is fully specified to operate across 1.8 V to 3.6 V, making it compatible with single-cell lithium polymer (LiPo) or two-cell alkaline/nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries without regulation. At 1.8 V, it achieves 1 MHz CPU operation with typical active current of 170 µA, and retains full functionality of its 10-bit ADC, timers, and USCI modules. Brownout reset is active down to 1.7 V to prevent erratic behavior during voltage sag.

How many ADC input channels does the MSP430A142IRHAR support?

The MSP430A142IRHAR supports 12 analog input channels (A0–A7, A12–A15) mapped across ports P2, P3, and P4. These include eight dedicated ADC pins (A0–A7) and four additional channels shared with Timer_B outputs (A12–A15). The ADC10 module features autoscan mode, allowing sequential conversion of up to 16 values per trigger without CPU intervention, and integrates a data transfer controller (DTC) to move results directly to RAM-reducing active-mode time and power consumption in the MSP430A142IRHAR.