Texas Instruments MSP430F2618TPN

Overview

MSP430F2618TPN from Texas Instruments is an ultra-low-power 16-bit RISC microcontroller with 116KB+256B flash, 8KB RAM, dual 12-bit DACs, 12-bit ADC with autoscan, three-channel DMA, two 16-bit timers (Timer_A3 and Timer_B7), four USCI modules (dual UART/IrDA/SPI + dual I²C/SPI), and on-chip comparator. It operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V and targets battery-powered sensor systems and portable medical devices.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430F2618TPN datasheet, MSP430F2618TPN pinout, MSP430F2618TPN application, or MSP430F2618TPN equivalent, key selection criteria include its 8KB RAM capacity, dual DAC support for analog waveform generation, LQFP-80 package pin compatibility across the F261x family, and verified wake-up time under 1 µs from standby mode.

Technical Context

The MSP430F2618TPN implements a 16-bit CPU with constant generators and a calibrated DCO enabling sub-1-µs wake-up from LPM3/LPM4. Its peripheral set includes ADC12 with internal reference and sample-and-hold, DAC12 with voltage-output architecture, and USCI modules supporting simultaneous UART, IrDA, SPI, and I²C protocols.

It features dual 16-bit timers with capture/compare capability (Timer_A3 with 3 registers, Timer_B7 with 7 shadowed registers), hardware multiplier (MPY/MPYS/MAC/MACS), and JTAG-based emulation. The device supports up to 48 general-purpose I/O pins and integrates SVS/SVM brownout protection with programmable threshold detection.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 80-pin LQFP (PN), 12 mm × 12 mm body size, surface-mount, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430F2619TPN, the MSP430F2618TPN offers 4KB more RAM for larger data buffers but 4KB less flash; versus MSP430F2418TPN, it adds DAC12 and DMA-critical for closed-loop analog control and high-throughput sensor streaming-without altering pin assignment or board layout.

Availability

MSP430F2618TPN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical sensors, industrial process monitoring, and hand-held test meters requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for MSP430F2618TPN 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 MSP430F261x product line was engineered for ultra-low-power sensing and measurement applications, emphasizing extended battery life, integrated analog precision, and rapid wake-up responsiveness in portable instrumentation.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MSP430F2618TPN's CPU?

The MSP430F2618TPN CPU operates at up to 16 MHz using the internal DCO or external XT2 oscillator. Its 62.5-ns instruction cycle time enables deterministic real-time execution. The device achieves this speed while maintaining ultra-low power consumption - 365 µA at 1 MHz and 2.2 V - making it suitable for applications balancing performance and energy efficiency. MSP430F2618TPN supports both calibrated DCO and crystal-based clock sources for flexible system timing design.

Does the MSP430F2618TPN support hardware debugging during development?

Yes, the MSP430F2618TPN includes a full JTAG interface (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) compliant with IEEE 1149.1, enabling real-time debugging, flash programming, and boundary-scan testing. This interface supports TI's MSP-FET and third-party emulators. MSP430F2618TPN also supports Spy-Bi-Wire (SBW) for reduced-pin debugging when JTAG pins are repurposed. Both modes provide full visibility into registers, memory, and peripheral states during firmware development.

How many analog input channels does the MSP430F2618TPN's ADC support?

The MSP430F2618TPN integrates a 12-bit ADC12 module with up to 8 external analog input channels (A0–A7), plus internal sources including temperature sensor and VCC/2. It supports autoscan mode for sequential conversion without CPU intervention and includes sample-and-hold functionality. MSP430F2618TPN's ADC can operate with internal reference (1.5 V or 2.5 V) or external reference, and its conversion time is configurable down to 1.86 µs minimum per sample at 7 MHz ADCCLK.

Can the MSP430F2618TPN generate synchronized analog outputs?

Yes, the MSP430F2618TPN includes two independent 12-bit DAC12 modules (DAC0 and DAC1) with hardware synchronization capability. These DACs support voltage-output mode and share common reference and timing control, enabling precisely aligned analog waveforms - such as differential signals or phase-matched control voltages. MSP430F2618TPN's DAC outputs are routed to P6.6 (DAC0) and P6.5/P6.7 (DAC1), allowing direct connection to external amplifiers or actuators without additional timing logic.

Is the MSP430F2618TPN pin-compatible with other devices in the F261x family?

Yes, the MSP430F2618TPN in the 80-pin LQFP (PN) package is fully pin-compatible with MSP430F2616TPN, MSP430F2617TPN, and MSP430F2619TPN. All share identical pin functions, electrical characteristics, and package dimensions (12 mm × 12 mm). This allows drop-in replacement for firmware upgrades or feature scaling - for example, upgrading from 92KB to 116KB flash - without PCB redesign. MSP430F2618TPN maintains consistent peripheral mapping across the F261x series, simplifying hardware reuse.