Texas Instruments MSP430F2131IDW

Overview

MSP430F2131IDW from Texas Instruments is an ultra-low-power 16-bit mixed-signal microcontroller featuring 8 KB flash memory, 256 B RAM, a 16-bit Timer_A with three capture/compare registers, and an on-chip analog comparator for slope A/D conversion. It operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V and supports active-mode current of 250 μA at 1 MHz/2.2 V, enabling battery-powered sensor node applications requiring long runtime and analog signal conditioning.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430F2131IDW datasheet, MSP430F2131IDW pinout, MSP430F2131IDW application, or MSP430F2131IDW equivalent, key selection criteria include its 20-pin DW (SOWB) package, calibrated DCO supporting up to 16 MHz, brownout detection, JTAG-based on-chip emulation, and integrated comparator for low-power analog front-end design in portable measurement systems.

Technical Context

The MSP430F2131IDW implements a 16-bit RISC CPU with constant generators and seven addressing modes, achieving 62.5-ns instruction cycle time. Its basic clock module integrates a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO), 32-kHz crystal support, and high-frequency crystal input up to 16 MHz - all configurable via BCSCTL registers.

It features two 8-bit I/O ports (P1 and P2) with individually programmable pullup/pulldown resistors, edge-selectable interrupts, and JTAG-compatible pins multiplexed with Timer_A and Comparator_A+ functions. The device supports five low-power modes (LPM0–LPM4), with wake-up from standby in under 1 μs using the DCO.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-pin Plastic Small-Outline Wide Body (SOWB), DW suffix, body size 7.5 mm × 12.8 mm, 0.65 mm pitch. Thermal pad not present - standard SOWB construction.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430F2121IDW, the MSP430F2131IDW provides double flash capacity for complex algorithms and OTA updates; compared with MSP430F2132IDW, it omits the 10-bit ADC but retains lower cost and identical power profile for comparator-based designs.

Availability

MSP430F2131IDW is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless sensor nodes, portable medical monitors, and smart utility meter interfaces requiring stable component supply across industrial temperature ranges (-40°C to 85°C).

Supply support for MSP430F2131IDW 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 low-power analog and embedded processing solutions, with decades of expertise in energy-efficient microcontrollers for industrial and portable applications.

The MSP430F2131IDW belongs to the MSP430x21x1 ultra-low-power mixed-signal MCU family, designed specifically for battery-operated sensor systems requiring analog signal capture, minimal active current, and robust low-power mode behavior.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MSP430F2131IDW?

The MSP430F2131IDW supports a maximum system clock (MCLK) frequency of 16 MHz when powered at ≥3.3 V, enabled by its factory-calibrated DCO. At 2.7 V, the maximum is 12 MHz, and at 1.8 V, it is limited to 6 MHz per TI's recommended operating conditions. This scalability allows designers to balance performance and power across varying battery states.

Does the MSP430F2131IDW include a hardware ADC?

No, the MSP430F2131IDW does not include a successive-approximation (SAR) or sigma-delta ADC. It features only the Comparator_A+ module, which supports slope analog-to-digital conversion using the built-in 16-bit Timer_A. For true multi-bit digital conversion, external ADCs or higher-family variants like MSP430F2132IDW (with 10-bit ADC) are required.

What debug interfaces are supported by the MSP430F2131IDW?

The MSP430F2131IDW supports JTAG via dedicated pins (TEST, TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) and includes an Embedded Emulation Module (EEM) for full hardware debugging. It also supports Spy-Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG) and the UART-based Bootstrap Loader (BSL) on P1.1/P2.2 for firmware updates without debug hardware.

Can the MSP430F2131IDW operate from a single 1.8-V supply?

Yes, the MSP430F2131IDW is fully specified to operate from 1.8 V to 3.6 V. At 1.8 V, it delivers 6 MHz MCLK performance and maintains ultra-low-power operation: 250 μA active current at 1 MHz and 0.1 μA in LPM4. Flash programming requires minimum 2.2 V, but normal execution is guaranteed across the full 1.8–3.6 V range.

What is the purpose of the CAOUT pin on the MSP430F2131IDW?

The CAOUT pin (P2.2) is the output of the Comparator_A+ module. It provides a digital result of the analog comparison - high when the positive input exceeds the negative input. This signal can trigger Timer_A capture events, generate interrupts, or drive external logic, enabling zero-latency threshold detection without CPU intervention in the MSP430F2131IDW.