Texas Instruments MSP430F5212IRGZR

Overview

MSP430F5212IRGZR from Texas Instruments is a 16-bit ultra-low-power mixed-signal microcontroller with 64 KB Flash, 8 KB RAM, dual-supply I/O (DVCC/DVIO), four 16-bit timers (TA0/TA1/TA2/TB0), two USCI modules (UART/IrDA/SPI/I²C), hardware multiplier, DMA, RTC, and comparator. It operates from 1.8–3.6 V DVCC and 1.62–1.98 V DVIO, targeting battery-powered sensor nodes and data loggers.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430F5212IRGZR datasheet, MSP430F5212IRGZR pinout, MSP430F5212IRGZR application, or MSP430F5212IRGZR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 48-pin VQFN package, absence of integrated ADC (vs. F522x series), 3.5 µs LPM3 wake-up time, dual-voltage I/O architecture, and support for crystal oscillators up to 32 MHz.

Technical Context

The MSP430F5212IRGZR implements a unified clock system with FLL stabilization, VLO and REFO internal sources, XT1 (32 kHz), and XT2 (up to 32 MHz). Its power management includes an integrated LDO with programmable core voltage and supply supervision with brownout detection.

It features split I/O domains: 20 DVCC-supplied I/Os (including P1–P6, PJ) and 17 DVIO-supplied I/Os (including P1–P4, P7), enabling direct interfacing with 1.8-V peripherals without level shifters. All timers support capture/compare and PWM; USCI_A supports UART/IrDA/SPI; USCI_B supports I²C/SPI.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

This device is housed in a 48-pin VQFN (RGZ) package with 7 mm × 7 mm body size and exposed thermal pad (recommended connection to DVSS).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430F5214IRGZR, the MSP430F5212IRGZR trades Flash capacity for cost-sensitive deployments; compared with MSP430F5222IRGZR, it omits the ADC to reduce silicon area and power in purely digital sensor-interface roles.

Availability

MSP430F5212IRGZR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless sensor nodes, industrial data loggers, portable medical monitors, and smart utility meter interfaces requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for MSP430F5212IRGZR 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 company delivering analog and embedded processing solutions for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, and communications markets.

The MSP430F521x series is designed for ultra-low-power embedded applications where extended battery life, fast wake-up, and dual-voltage I/O interoperability are critical - especially in sensor systems and data acquisition devices without integrated analog front-ends.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MSP430F5212IRGZR?

The MSP430F5212IRGZR supports a maximum system clock frequency of 25 MHz, achieved via its digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) with FLL stabilization using external crystals (XT2 up to 32 MHz) or internal references. This enables high-speed code execution while maintaining ultra-low-power efficiency in active mode (290 µA/MHz at 8 MHz, 3.0 V).

Does the MSP430F5212IRGZR include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)?

No, the MSP430F5212IRGZR does not include an integrated ADC. It belongs to the MSP430F521x series, which excludes the ADC10_A module present in the F522x series. For designs requiring analog sensing, external ADCs must be interfaced via USCI_B0 (I²C) or USCI_A0 (SPI), or the pin-compatible MSP430F5222IRGZR should be considered.

What package type and dimensions does the MSP430F5212IRGZR use?

The MSP430F5212IRGZR uses a 48-pin VQFN package (RGZ) with a 7 mm × 7 mm body size and an exposed thermal pad. TI recommends connecting the thermal pad to DVSS for optimal thermal performance and electrical stability, as documented in the SLAS718H datasheet Section 4.2.

How many general-purpose I/O pins does the MSP430F5212IRGZR provide?

The MSP430F5212IRGZR provides 37 total general-purpose I/O pins: 20 supplied by DVCC (1.8–3.6 V) and 17 supplied by DVIO (1.62–1.98 V). These include dedicated functions such as timer capture/compare, USCI signals, and RTC clock input, all configurable via port mapping control registers.

What are the key low-power modes supported by the MSP430F5212IRGZR?

The MSP430F5212IRGZR supports five low-power modes: LPM0–LPM3 (with increasing peripheral disablement) and LPM4/LPM4.5. Key operational points include LPM3 (1.9 µA @ 2.2 V with RTC active), LPM4 (1.1 µA @ 3.0 V with full RAM retention), and LPM4.5 (0.18 µA @ 3.0 V with supply supervisor only), enabling flexible power optimization across use cases.