Texas Instruments MSP430F6721IPZR

Overview

MSP430F6721IPZR from Texas Instruments is an ultra-low-power 16-bit mixed-signal microcontroller designed for single-phase electronic watt-hour metering. It integrates two 24-bit sigma-delta ADCs, a 10-bit 200-ksps ADC with temperature sensor, LCD driver supporting up to 320 segments, and three eUSCI_A modules (UART/IrDA/SPI) plus one eUSCI_B (I²C/SPI), operating from 1.8 V to 3.6 V with standby current as low as 1.7 µA.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430F6721IPZR datasheet, MSP430F6721IPZR pinout, MSP430F6721IPZR application, or MSP430F6721IPZR equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual SD24_B ADC architecture for metrology-grade current/voltage sampling, RTC with crystal offset calibration, auxiliary supply subsystem for backup operation, and LQFP-100 package with 72 GPIOs - all critical for tamper-resistant energy meter design.

Technical Context

The MSP430F6721IPZR implements a 16-bit RISC CPU with extended memory addressing and constant generators for optimized code efficiency in metering firmware. Its unified clock system includes FLL stabilization, VLO/REFO internal sources, and 32-kHz XT1 crystal support - enabling precise timekeeping and low-jitter sampling synchronization across ADCs and RTC.

Power management features include a programmable LDO core regulator, supply voltage supervision with brownout reset, and four distinct low-power modes (LPM3/LPM3.5/LPM4/LPM4.5) with sub-2 µA retention currents. The device supports hardware-accelerated 32-bit multiplication and 3-channel DMA to offload CPU during high-throughput ADC data acquisition and LCD refresh cycles.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP-100 package (14 mm × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad; requires external connection of VDSYS/DVSYS pins and LCDCAP/R33 tied to DVSS if unused.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430F6723IPZR and MSP430F6720IPZR, the MSP430F6721IPZR offers optimal balance of memory (32 KB Flash), metrology precision (dual 24-bit SD24_B), and low-power operation (1.7 µA LPM3) - making it the standard choice for certified Class B single-phase meters with LCD display.

Availability

MSP430F6721IPZR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 2-wire single-phase metering, 3-wire single-phase metering, and tamper-resistant metering applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and TI-authorized traceability.

Supply support for MSP430F6721IPZR 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 specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in low-power microcontrollers and precision analog signal chains.

The MSP430F6721IPZR belongs to TI's MSP430F672x metrology MCU family, engineered specifically for ANSI C12.20 and IEC 62053-compliant electricity meters - integrating metrology-grade ADCs, RTC, LCD, and communication peripherals into a single ultra-low-power SoC.

FAQ

What is the maximum system clock frequency supported by the MSP430F6721IPZR?

The MSP430F6721IPZR supports a maximum system clock frequency of 25 MHz, achieved via its digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) with FLL stabilization. This frequency enables real-time execution of metrology algorithms such as RMS calculation, harmonic analysis, and tariff switching while maintaining sub-1 µs timer resolution for precise sampling synchronization across its dual SD24_B ADCs and 10-bit ADC.

Does the MSP430F6721IPZR include an integrated RTC with crystal compensation?

Yes, the MSP430F6721IPZR includes a password-protected real-time clock (RTC_C) module with crystal offset calibration and temperature compensation. This feature ensures long-term timing accuracy better than ±0.5 ppm over temperature and aging - meeting IEC 62053-21 requirements for revenue-grade metering applications where timestamp integrity is critical for billing and tamper logging.

How many analog-to-digital converters does the MSP430F6721IPZR integrate, and what are their types?

The MSP430F6721IPZR integrates three ADC subsystems: two independent 24-bit sigma-delta ADCs (SD24_B) optimized for high-precision current/voltage measurement in energy meters, and one 10-bit successive-approximation ADC (ADC10_A) operating at 200 ksps with internal reference and temperature sensor input. This combination supports simultaneous metrology sampling and system monitoring without external converters.

What package type and pin count does the MSP430F6721IPZR use?

The MSP430F6721IPZR uses a 100-pin LQFP (PZ) package measuring 14 mm × 14 mm with 0.5 mm pitch. It provides 72 general-purpose I/O pins, including dedicated SD24_B analog inputs, eUSCI_A/B communication signals, Timer_A capture/compare channels, and LCD segment/com drivers - enabling full-featured meter design with physical isolation between analog and digital sections.

Is the MSP430F6721IPZR compatible with TI's EVM430-F6736 evaluation platform?

Yes, the MSP430F6721IPZR is pin-compatible with the EVM430-F6736 evaluation module, which supports the entire MSP430F673x/F672x family in the 100-pin LQFP package. Firmware developed on the EVM430-F6736 can be deployed directly to the MSP430F6721IPZR, leveraging shared peripherals including SD24_B, eUSCI_A/B, LCD_C, and RTC_C - accelerating development of certified metering applications.