Texas Instruments MSP430F6730AIPNR

Overview

MSP430F6730AIPNR from Texas Instruments is an ultra-low-power mixed-signal microcontroller designed for single-phase electronic watt-hour metering. It integrates three 24-bit sigma-delta ADCs, a 10-bit 200-ksps ADC, LCD driver supporting up to 320 segments, and real-time clock with crystal offset calibration - all operating from 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply. Its 16 KB Flash, 1 KB RAM, and 52 I/O pins in LQFP-80 package support high-accuracy energy measurement in utility metering hardware.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430F6730AIPNR datasheet, MSP430F6730AIPNR pinout, MSP430F6730AIPNR application, or MSP430F6730AIPNR equivalent, key selection criteria include standby current (1.7 µA in LPM3), sigma-delta ADC resolution (24-bit ×3), RTC temperature compensation, LCD segment drive capability (8-mux, 320 seg), and eUSCI_A/B interface support for UART/I²C/SPI communication in meter firmware development.

Technical Context

The MSP430F6730AIPNR implements a 16-bit RISC CPU with 25-MHz system clock capability, unified clock system featuring FLL stabilization, VLO/REFO/XT1 sources, and programmable LDO core regulation. Its power architecture supports dual auxiliary supplies and four low-power modes (LPM0–LPM4.5) with sub-µA shutdown current (0.78 µA in LPM4.5).

Peripherals include three 16-bit Timer_A modules (one with 3 capture/compare registers, two with 2 each), three eUSCI_A interfaces (UART/IrDA/SPI), one eUSCI_B (I²C/SPI), hardware multiplier, 3-channel DMA, and SD24_B ADCs with differential PGA inputs - all optimized for metrology-grade signal acquisition and time-stamped energy computation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 80-pin LQFP (PN), body size 12 mm × 12 mm, lead pitch 0.5 mm, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar metrology microcontroller applications.

Compared with MSP430F6730AIPN, MSP430F6731AIPN offers double Flash/RAM for advanced communication protocols, while MSP430F6720AIPN reduces metrology channel count to lower system cost - both share identical LQFP-80 packaging and core peripheral sets for layout reuse.

Availability

MSP430F6730AIPNR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for single-phase watt-hour meters, utility prepayment systems, and smart grid edge nodes requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial lifecycle support.

Supply support for MSP430F6730AIPNR 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, and consumer applications.

The MSP430F673xA product line targets precision energy measurement systems, integrating metrology-grade ADCs, RTC, and LCD drivers to simplify design of IEC 62053-compliant electricity meters.

FAQ

What is the maximum system clock frequency supported by the MSP430F6730AIPNR?

The MSP430F6730AIPNR supports a maximum system clock frequency of 25 MHz, enabled by its integrated FLL (Frequency-Locked Loop) that stabilizes the DCO (Digitally Controlled Oscillator) using reference sources such as the 32-kHz XT1 crystal or internal REFO/VLO. This allows real-time execution of metrology algorithms and communication stacks without external clock components.

Does the MSP430F6730AIPNR include hardware support for energy calculation algorithms?

Yes, the MSP430F6730AIPNR includes a hardware multiplier capable of 32-bit operations and three independent 24-bit sigma-delta ADCs with differential PGA inputs - enabling direct computation of RMS voltage, current, active/reactive power, and energy accumulation without external coprocessors. Its DMA engine also offloads ADC result transfers to RAM for continuous background processing.

How does the MSP430F6730AIPNR manage power during battery-backed RTC operation?

The MSP430F6730AIPNR features a dedicated backup subsystem with separate voltage supply pins (AUXVCC1–AUXVCC3) and internal 32-kHz oscillator (XT1), allowing RTC operation down to 1.8 V with only 1.24 µA current draw in LPM3.5 mode. This ensures accurate timekeeping and calendar functions during main power failure, critical for tariff switching and event logging in utility meters.

Can the MSP430F6730AIPNR drive a 4-segment LCD display without external components?

Yes, the MSP430F6730AIPNR integrates a full LCD_C controller supporting up to 320 segments in 8-mux configuration, including programmable charge pump, contrast control, and static/dynamic drive modes. For a 4-segment display, it requires only external capacitors on LCDCAP and no external bias generator or driver IC - simplifying PCB layout and reducing component count.

What communication interfaces are available on the MSP430F6730AIPNR for meter data transmission?

The MSP430F6730AIPNR provides three eUSCI_A modules (supporting UART, IrDA, and SPI) and one eUSCI_B module (supporting I²C and SPI). This enables concurrent use of optical probe UART, PLC modem UART, and I²C-connected EEPROM or temperature sensor - all without external level shifters or protocol converters, meeting ANSI C12.18 and DLMS/COSEM physical layer requirements.