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Texas Instruments MSP430F5256IRGCT

Name: MSP430F5256IRGCT
Brand: Texas Instruments
SKU: MSP430F5256IRGCT
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: MSP430F5256IRGCT

Manufacturer:: Texas Instruments

Category:: Microcontrollers

Package:: 64-VFQFN Exposed Pad

Datasheet:: MSP430F5256IRGCT.pdf

Description:: IC MCU 16BIT 128KB FLASH 64VQFN

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Product details

Overview

MSP430F5256IRGCT from Texas Instruments is an ultra-low-power 16-bit RISC mixed-signal microcontroller designed as an "always-on" system controller with dual-supply voltage operation (DVCC = 1.8–3.6 V, DVIO = 1.62–1.98 V), 128 KB flash, 16 KB RAM, and four USCI_A/USCI_B modules supporting UART, IrDA, SPI, and I²C - deployed in sensor hubs and power-management subsystems for portable electronics.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430F5256IRGCT datasheet, MSP430F5256IRGCT pinout, MSP430F5256IRGCT application, or MSP430F5256IRGCT equivalent, key selection criteria include split-rail I/O compatibility, LPM3 standby current (2.3 µA at 3.0 V), 3.5 µs wake-up time, 10-bit ADC with internal reference, and VQFN-64 package integration for space-constrained battery-powered designs.

Technical Context

The MSP430F5256IRGCT implements a unified clock system with FLL stabilization, dual crystal support (XT1 for 32-kHz RTC, XT2 up to 32 MHz), and three internal sources (VLO, REFO, DCO). Its power management includes an integrated LDO with programmable core voltage and supply supervision with brownout detection.

It integrates four 16-bit timers (TA0/TA1/TA2/TB0), a hardware multiplier for 32-bit operations, 3-channel DMA, comparator_B, and RTC_A with alarm - all operating across five low-power modes (AM, LPM0–LPM4.5) with full RAM retention down to 1.3 µA in LPM4.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Core Architecture	16-bit RISC CPUXV2 with extended memory addressing, enabling efficient real-time sensor fusion and control loop execution.
Flash / RAM	128 KB flash (in-system programmable, no external VPP) + 16 KB RAM - sufficient for complex sensor hub firmware with buffer-intensive data logging.
Active Mode Current	290 µA/MHz at 8 MHz, 3.0 V (flash execution) - enables sustained processing during brief wake periods without thermal or battery stress.
Standby Current (LPM3)	2.3 µA at 3.0 V with RTC, watchdog, and full RAM retention - supports years of operation on coin-cell batteries in always-listening applications.
Wake-up Time	3.5 µs from LPM3 to active mode - ensures rapid response to interrupts from inertial sensors or touch controllers without missing events.
ADC Resolution & Channels	10-bit SAR ADC with 12 input channels (10 external, 2 internal), internal reference, and sample-and-hold - suitable for direct analog sensor interfacing without external precision references.
Serial Interfaces	Four USCI_A (UART/IrDA/SPI) + four USCI_B (I²C/SPI) modules - supports concurrent communication with up to eight peripherals (e.g., 4x I²C sensors + 4x SPI actuators).
I/O Count & Voltage Rails	35 general-purpose I/Os: 18 on DVCC rail (1.8–3.6 V), 35 on DVIO rail (1.62–1.98 V) - eliminates level shifters when interfacing with 1.8-V application processors or sensors.

Pinout & Package

VQFN-64 (RGCT) package, 9 mm × 9 mm, 0.5-mm pitch, thermally enhanced with exposed thermal pad. Pin mapping validated per TI SLAS903D Figure 7-1 and Table 7-1.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
P1.0–P1.7	DVIO-domain GPIO / TA0CLK / ACLK	1.8-V I/O bank with timer clock input and low-frequency system clock routing - used for wake-up-capable sensor interrupt inputs and RTC synchronization.
P2.0–P2.7	DVIO-domain GPIO / USCI_B3 / RTCCLK / DMAE0	Multi-function bank supporting I²C/SPI slave interfaces, real-time clock input, and DMA trigger - critical for peripheral coexistence and deterministic timing.
P3.0–P3.4	DVIO-domain GPIO / USCI_B0 / UCA0TXD/RXD	Dual-protocol bank (I²C + UART) for primary sensor or host interface - enables flexible connectivity to accelerometers, environmental sensors, or Bluetooth modules.
P4.0–P4.7	DVIO-domain GPIO / USCI_B1 / UCA1TXD/RXD / UCA3TXD/RXD	Secondary serial expansion bank supporting up to three independent UART or I²C links - allows simultaneous debug, sensor aggregation, and actuator control.
P5.0–P5.5	DVCC-domain GPIO / ADC inputs / VeREF+/VeREF− / XIN	Analog-dedicated bank with ADC channel inputs, reference voltage terminals, and low-frequency crystal oscillator input - ensures noise-isolated analog signal acquisition.
P6.0–P6.7	DVCC-domain GPIO / TA2 / CB0–CB7 / A0–A7	Timer and comparator bank with capture/compare capability and analog multiplexer inputs - used for PWM generation, pulse measurement, and analog threshold monitoring.
P7.0–P7.5	DVIO-domain GPIO / USCI_A3 / UCA3TXD/RXD	Additional UART/SPI bank for auxiliary communication or bootloader interface - supports field firmware updates via serial BSL without dedicated programming pins.
DVIO / DVCC / AVCC / DVSS / AVSS	Power supply terminals	Dual-supply architecture: DVIO powers all I/O banks (1.62–1.98 V), DVCC powers digital core (1.8–3.6 V), AVCC powers analog circuitry (1.8–3.6 V) - enables independent rail optimization and noise separation.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Dual-supply I/O (DVIO/DVCC)	Enables direct 1.8-V interface to application processors and sensors without external level translators - reduces BOM count and PCB area in portable systems.
Four USCI_A + Four USCI_B modules	Supports eight concurrent hardware serial interfaces (e.g., 4× I²C + 4× SPI) - eliminates software bit-banging and guarantees deterministic timing for multi-sensor data acquisition.
RTC_A with alarm and calendar	Provides autonomous timekeeping and scheduled wake-up events while consuming only 2.3 µA - essential for periodic sensor sampling and low-duty-cycle data logging.
Hardware multiplier (MPY32)	Executes 32-bit multiply-accumulate operations in single-cycle - accelerates sensor fusion algorithms (e.g., quaternion math) without burdening CPU bandwidth.
3-channel DMA controller	Offloads data movement from CPU during ADC sampling, UART transmission, or memory-to-memory transfers - preserves low-power state during background data handling.
Comparator_B with 8-channel input mux	Performs analog threshold detection and window comparison without CPU intervention - enables wake-on-event functionality for battery voltage monitoring or motion-triggered activation.

Applications

Wearable Sensor Hub	Smart Battery Management Unit
Use Scenario: Aggregating data from 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, and ambient light sensor in a fitness tracker with BLE connectivity. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Always-on system controller managing sensor polling, preprocessing, and wake-up coordination for main application processor. Use Value: 1.8-V DVIO I/O directly interfaces with 1.8-V MEMS sensors; 2.3 µA LPM3 current extends battery life to >6 months on CR2032; 3.5 µs wake-up ensures gesture detection latency <10 ms.	Use Scenario: Monitoring cell voltage, temperature, and charge/discharge current in a 2-cell Li-ion pack for power tools. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dedicated battery gauge and protection controller with real-time fault response and SOC estimation. Use Value: 10-bit ADC with internal reference measures voltage with ±1.5% accuracy; comparator_B triggers immediate shutdown on overvoltage; RTC_A schedules periodic calibration without waking host MCU.
Bluetooth® Peripheral Controller	Industrial Data Logger
Use Scenario: Acting as BLE central node collecting telemetry from multiple environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, CO₂) in a smart home gateway. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power host controller managing BLE stack offload, sensor data buffering, and packet assembly before transmission. Use Value: Four USCI_B modules support concurrent I²C connections to 4+ sensors; 16 KB RAM buffers >10 minutes of sensor history; LPM4.5 (0.18 µA) enables multi-year operation on AA batteries.	Use Scenario: Recording vibration, temperature, and pressure data from rotating machinery in predictive maintenance edge nodes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Autonomous data acquisition engine with timestamped storage, event-triggered capture, and SD card interface. Use Value: TA0/TA1/TA2/TB0 timers enable precise multi-channel synchronized sampling; DMA transfers ADC data to RAM without CPU; RTC_A stamps each record with absolute time.

Wearable Sensor Hub

Smart Battery Management Unit

Use Scenario: Aggregating data from 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, and ambient light sensor in a fitness tracker with BLE connectivity.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Always-on system controller managing sensor polling, preprocessing, and wake-up coordination for main application processor.

Use Value: 1.8-V DVIO I/O directly interfaces with 1.8-V MEMS sensors; 2.3 µA LPM3 current extends battery life to >6 months on CR2032; 3.5 µs wake-up ensures gesture detection latency <10 ms.

Use Scenario: Monitoring cell voltage, temperature, and charge/discharge current in a 2-cell Li-ion pack for power tools.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dedicated battery gauge and protection controller with real-time fault response and SOC estimation.

Use Value: 10-bit ADC with internal reference measures voltage with ±1.5% accuracy; comparator_B triggers immediate shutdown on overvoltage; RTC_A schedules periodic calibration without waking host MCU.

Bluetooth® Peripheral Controller

Industrial Data Logger

Use Scenario: Acting as BLE central node collecting telemetry from multiple environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, CO₂) in a smart home gateway.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power host controller managing BLE stack offload, sensor data buffering, and packet assembly before transmission.

Use Value: Four USCI_B modules support concurrent I²C connections to 4+ sensors; 16 KB RAM buffers >10 minutes of sensor history; LPM4.5 (0.18 µA) enables multi-year operation on AA batteries.

Use Scenario: Recording vibration, temperature, and pressure data from rotating machinery in predictive maintenance edge nodes.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Autonomous data acquisition engine with timestamped storage, event-triggered capture, and SD card interface.

Use Value: TA0/TA1/TA2/TB0 timers enable precise multi-channel synchronized sampling; DMA transfers ADC data to RAM without CPU; RTC_A stamps each record with absolute time.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
MSP430F5254IRGCT	Same 128 KB flash, 16 KB RAM, and VQFN-64 package; differs only in BSL type (UART instead of I²C).	Preferred where UART-based bootloader access is required over I²C; identical peripheral set and power profile.	Select MSP430F5254IRGCT if UART BSL is mandatory; otherwise MSP430F5256IRGCT offers broader serial protocol flexibility via I²C BSL.
MSP430F5252IRGCT	Same package and core specs but reduced RAM (16 KB vs. 16 KB - identical), no ADC10_A module (N/A in device comparison table).	Suitable for pure digital control applications without analog sensing; lacks 10-bit ADC and internal reference.	Choose MSP430F5252IRGCT only when analog acquisition is unnecessary; MSP430F5256IRGCT provides full mixed-signal capability with ADC and comparator.

Compared with MSP430F5254IRGCT and MSP430F5252IRGCT, the MSP430F5256IRGCT uniquely combines I²C-capable BSL, full 10-bit ADC with internal reference, and identical 128 KB flash/16 KB RAM - making it the optimal choice for sensor-rich, analog-integrated, and field-upgradable embedded controllers.

Availability

MSP430F5256IRGCT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable sensor hubs, smart battery management units, and industrial data loggers requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceability for production programs.

Supply support for MSP430F5256IRGCT 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 leadership in ultra-low-power microcontrollers.

The MSP430F525x product line was engineered specifically for "always-on" system controller roles in portable electronics - emphasizing split-rail I/O, sub-µA standby, fast wake-up, and integrated analog peripherals to replace discrete power management and sensor interface ICs.

FAQ

What is the maximum system clock frequency supported by the MSP430F5256IRGCT?

The MSP430F5256IRGCT supports a maximum system clock frequency of 25 MHz, achieved using the FLL-controlled DCO or external HF crystal (XT2) up to 32 MHz. This enables high-throughput sensor data processing while maintaining deterministic timing for real-time control loops and serial communication baud rates.

Does the MSP430F5256IRGCT include an integrated ADC, and what are its key specifications?

Yes, the MSP430F5256IRGCT includes a 10-bit ADC10_A module with 12 input channels (10 external, 2 internal), internal reference (1.5 V or 2.0 V), sample-and-hold, and conversion rates up to 200 kSPS. It operates across the full DVCC range (1.8–3.6 V) and supports configurable input ranges and reference sources for flexible analog sensing.

How does the dual-supply architecture (DVIO/DVCC) of the MSP430F5256IRGCT benefit system design?

The MSP430F5256IRGCT's DVIO (1.62–1.98 V) and DVCC (1.8–3.6 V) rails allow independent optimization: DVIO powers all 35 I/Os for seamless 1.8-V interface to application processors and sensors, eliminating external level shifters, while DVCC supplies the digital core at higher efficiency. This reduces component count, PCB area, and power loss in portable systems.

What low-power modes are available on the MSP430F5256IRGCT, and what is the lowest current consumption?

The MSP430F5256IRGCT supports five low-power modes: AM, LPM0–LPM3, LPM4, and LPM4.5. The lowest current is 0.18 µA in LPM4.5 (shutdown mode) at 3.0 V with full RAM retention and supply supervisor active - ideal for long-term storage or emergency wake-up readiness in battery-critical applications.

Is the MSP430F5256IRGCT pin-compatible with other devices in the MSP430F525x family?

Yes, the MSP430F5256IRGCT in the VQFN-64 (RGCT) package shares identical pinout and footprint with all other RGCT-packaged variants (e.g., MSP430F5259IRGCT, MSP430F5254IRGCT), enabling hardware reuse across performance tiers - flash size, RAM, ADC presence, and BSL type vary, but mechanical and electrical I/O mapping remains consistent.

MSP430F5256IRGCT Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Texas Instruments

Package/Case:: 64-VFQFN Exposed Pad

Series:: MSP430F5xx

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Active

Programmable:: Not Verified

Core Processor:: MSP430 CPUXV2

Core Size:: 16-Bit

Speed:: 25MHz

Connectivity:: I2C, IrDA, SCI, SPI, UART/USART

Peripherals:: Brown-out Detect/Reset, DMA, POR, PWM, WDT

Number of I/O:: 53

Program Memory Size:: 128KB (128K x 8)

Program Memory Type:: FLASH

EEPROM Size:: -

RAM Size:: 16K x 8

Voltage - Supply (Vcc/Vdd):: 1.8V ~ 3.6V

Data Converters:: -

Oscillator Type:: Internal

Operating Temperature:: -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:

MSP430F5256IRGCT FAQ

1.How can I place an order for MSP430F5256IRGCT through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MSP430F5256IRGCT on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for MSP430F5256IRGCT reliable?

The price and inventory of MSP430F5256IRGCT are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MSP430F5256IRGCT is usually 5 days.

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MSP430F5256IRGCT orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your MSP430F5256IRGCT order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MSP430F5256IRGCT?

For technical support, including MSP430F5256IRGCT datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MSP430F5256IRGCT requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that MSP430F5256IRGCT is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All MSP430F5256IRGCT products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MSP430F5256IRGCT meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of MSP430F5256IRGCT?

All MSP430F5256IRGCT units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MSP430F5256IRGCT, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The MSP430F5256IRGCT part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for MSP430F5256IRGCT:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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