Texas Instruments MSP430F168IPMR

Overview

MSP430F168IPMR from Texas Instruments is a 16-bit ultralow-power mixed-signal microcontroller featuring 48KB+256B flash memory, 2KB RAM, dual 12-bit DACs, a 12-bit ADC with internal reference and autoscan, two USARTs (UART/SPI/I²C), three-channel DMA, and Timer_B with seven capture/compare registers. It operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V and targets battery-powered sensor systems and portable instrumentation.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430F168IPMR datasheet, MSP430F168IPMR pinout, MSP430F168IPMR application, or MSP430F168IPMR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 48KB flash capacity, dual 12-bit DAC support, 64-pin QFP package with 48 I/O pins, LPM4 standby current of 0.2 μA, and dual USART capability for concurrent serial communication in space-constrained embedded designs.

Technical Context

The MSP430F168IPMR implements a 16-bit RISC CPU with constant generators and seven addressing modes, enabling single-cycle register operations and high code efficiency. Its architecture integrates dedicated peripherals-including ADC12, DAC12, Timer_A3, Timer_B7, and two USART modules-directly into the data/address/control bus for unified instruction access.

Power management is handled via five software-selectable low-power modes (LPM0–LPM4), with wake-up from LPM4 in under 6 μs using the digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The device supports JTAG debugging via TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO pins and includes a password-protected bootstrap loader accessible through P1.1 (TX) and P2.2 (RX).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 64-pin plastic quad flat pack (QFP), PM suffix, RoHS-compliant, 10 mm × 10 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430F168IPMR, the MSP430F169IPMR offers 12KB more flash for protocol stacks or logging buffers without altering power or peripheral behavior, while the MSP430F1611IPMR trades flash margin for 5× RAM capacity to support real-time operating systems or complex signal processing-both retain identical 64-pin QFP packaging and core peripheral sets.

Availability

MSP430F168IPMR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable instrumentation, industrial sensor nodes, and battery-powered metering applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant manufacturing.

Supply support for MSP430F168IPMR 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 decades of expertise in low-power microcontrollers and precision analog design.

The MSP430F16x series was designed for ultralow-power mixed-signal applications demanding extended battery life, integrated analog peripherals, and robust real-time control-targeting sensor systems, portable meters, and industrial monitoring equipment.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MSP430F168IPMR?

The MSP430F168IPMR features a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) that supports system clock frequencies up to approximately 8 MHz under typical conditions. Its 125-ns instruction cycle time corresponds to a 8-MHz CPU clock, and all timing specifications-including ADC conversion and USART baud rates-are validated across the 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range. The device does not require an external crystal for basic operation but supports XT1 (32.768 kHz) and XT2 (up to 8 MHz) for precision timing.

Does the MSP430F168IPMR support I²C communication?

Yes, the MSP430F168IPMR supports I²C communication exclusively through USART0, which can be configured in I²C mode using pins P3.1 (SDA) and P3.3 (SCL). USART1 does not support I²C. The I²C implementation complies with standard mode (100 kbps) and fast mode (400 kbps) timing requirements, and includes dedicated interrupt flags (I2CIFG) and control bits in the USPIE0 and UCTXIE0 registers. No external level-shifting circuitry is required for 3.3 V I²C buses.

How many analog input channels does the ADC12 module support on the MSP430F168IPMR?

The ADC12 module on the MSP430F168IPMR supports eight analog input channels (A0–A7), mapped to pins P6.0 through P6.7. Channel A6 and A7 are shared with DAC0 and DAC1 outputs, respectively. The ADC provides selectable internal reference (1.5 V or 2.5 V), sample-and-hold, and autoscan mode for sequential conversion across multiple channels without CPU intervention-enabling efficient multi-sensor monitoring in applications like environmental data loggers.

Can the MSP430F168IPMR generate PWM signals using its timers?

Yes, the MSP430F168IPMR can generate PWM signals using both Timer_A3 and Timer_B7. Timer_A3 provides three capture/compare registers supporting edge-aligned or asymmetric PWM on up to three output pins (e.g., P1.1, P1.2, P1.3). Timer_B7 offers seven capture/compare registers with shadow registers, enabling synchronized, glitch-free PWM on up to seven pins (e.g., P4.0–P4.6), ideal for multi-channel motor control or LED dimming. Both timers support configurable period, duty cycle, and clock sources including SMCLK, ACLK, or external inputs.

Is the MSP430F168IPMR pin-compatible with other devices in the MSP430F16x family?

Yes, the MSP430F168IPMR is pin-compatible with all 64-pin QFP (PM) variants in the MSP430F16x family-including MSP430F167IPMR and MSP430F169IPMR-as confirmed by identical pin numbering, terminal functions, and package dimensions in the SLAS368G datasheet. This allows direct substitution within the same footprint for flash-size scaling, provided firmware accommodates differences in memory map and register initialization (e.g., extended RAM addressing in F161x devices is not applicable here).