Texas Instruments MSP430F123IPWR

Overview

MSP430F123IPWR from Texas Instruments is an ultralow-power 16-bit RISC mixed-signal microcontroller featuring 8KB+256B flash memory, 256B RAM, a 16-bit Timer_A with three capture/compare registers, on-chip analog comparator, and USART0 supporting UART/SPI protocols. It operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V and targets battery-powered sensor systems requiring sub-μA standby current and <6 μs wake-up.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430F123IPWR datasheet, MSP430F123IPWR pinout, MSP430F123IPWR application, or MSP430F123IPWR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 28-pin TSSOP (PW) package, 22 GPIOs, integrated slope A/D capability via comparator, and support for serial onboard programming without external voltage.

Technical Context

The MSP430F123IPWR implements a 16-bit RISC CPU with constant generators and seven addressing modes, enabling single-cycle register operations and high code efficiency. Its basic clock module integrates a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO), 32 kHz crystal support, and selectable internal resistors - enabling wake-up from LPM4 in under 6 μs.

Peripherals include Timer_A3 (16-bit, 3 CC registers), USART0 with dual-buffered UART/SPI, and Comparator_A with CAOUT, CA0, and CA1 inputs - all accessible via memory-mapped I/O at fixed SFR addresses (e.g., TACCR0 at 017Ah, U0TXBUF at 077h). The device supports JTAG debugging and BSL-based UART flash programming using P1.1 (TX) and P2.2 (RX).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 28-pin Plastic Thin Shrink Small-Outline Package (TSSOP), PW suffix, body width 4.4 mm, lead pitch 0.65 mm.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430F123IPWR, the MSP430F2274IPW offers greater computational headroom and integrated ADC at higher active current, while the MSP430G2553IPW reduces cost and adds flash/RAM but removes the comparator essential for slope A/D - making MSP430F123IPWR optimal for minimal-footprint, ultra-low-quiescent sensor front-ends.

Availability

MSP430F123IPWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless sensor nodes, portable medical monitors, and smart utility meters requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent TSSOP packaging.

Supply support for MSP430F123IPWR 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 specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies with over 50 years of innovation in low-power design.

The MSP430F123IPWR belongs to the MSP430x12x ultralow-power mixed-signal MCU family, engineered specifically for extended-battery-life measurement applications such as environmental sensing and portable instrumentation.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MSP430F123IPWR at 3.6 V?

The MSP430F123IPWR supports a maximum system clock (MCLK) frequency of 8 MHz at VCC = 3.6 V, as specified in the recommended operating conditions. This limit applies to both DCO-derived and crystal-sourced MCLK. At lower voltages (e.g., 1.8 V), the maximum frequency reduces to 4.15 MHz. The MSP430F123IPWR does not support overclocking beyond these values, and sustained operation above 8 MHz at 3.6 V violates datasheet specifications.

Does the MSP430F123IPWR support hardware UART with full-duplex operation?

Yes, the MSP430F123IPWR supports full-duplex UART operation via its USART0 module, using dedicated pins P3.4/UTXD0 (transmit) and P3.5/URXD0 (receive). Hardware flow control is enabled by configuring P3.0/STE0 as slave transmit enable. The module includes double-buffered transmit and receive registers (U0TXBUF and U0RXBUF), allowing concurrent send/receive without CPU intervention during byte transfers.

How many I/O pins on the MSP430F123IPWR support interrupt-on-change functionality?

The MSP430F123IPWR provides interrupt-on-change capability on all eight bits of Port P1 (P1.0–P1.7) and six bits of Port P2 (P2.0–P2.5). Each bit has individually configurable edge select (rising/falling) via P1IES/P2IES registers. Port P3 pins do not support interrupt-on-change. This gives a total of 14 interrupt-capable GPIOs - sufficient for button monitoring, wake-up triggers, and sensor status signaling.

Can the MSP430F123IPWR perform analog-to-digital conversion without an external ADC?

Yes, the MSP430F123IPWR can perform analog-to-digital conversion using its integrated Comparator_A module in slope A/D mode. By charging a capacitor through a known resistor and measuring the time for the comparator output to toggle, the device converts analog voltage to digital value - requiring only one external capacitor and no dedicated ADC hardware. This method is confirmed in the functional description and BSL pin mapping (P2.2 as CAOUT).

What debug and programming interfaces are supported by the MSP430F123IPWR?

The MSP430F123IPWR supports two primary interfaces: JTAG via TEST, TCK, TMS, TDI/TDO pins (P1.4–P1.7, P2.0) for full-featured emulation and flash programming; and UART-based Bootstrap Loader (BSL) using P1.1 (TX) and P2.2 (RX) for field firmware updates without JTAG hardware. Both methods are documented in SLAS312C and require no external programming voltage.