Texas Instruments MSP430FR2532IRGER

Overview

MSP430FR2532IRGER from Texas Instruments is an ultra-low-power 16-bit mixed-signal microcontroller with integrated CapTIvate™ capacitive touch sensing technology, 8 KB program FRAM, 1 KB RAM, and support for up to 8 self-capacitive or 8 mutual-capacitive electrodes. It operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V, achieves 126 µA/MHz active current, and delivers <5 µA wake-on-touch power in LPM3.5 - enabling robust touch interfaces in battery-powered smart locks and appliance control panels.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430FR2532IRGER datasheet, MSP430FR2532IRGER pinout, MSP430FR2532IRGER application, or MSP430FR2532IRGER equivalent, key selection criteria include its VQFN-24 package, dedicated CapTIvate timing engine, FRAM endurance (10¹⁵ writes), 10-bit ADC with 200 ksps sampling, and hardware-accelerated noise filtering for wet/metal-tolerant HMI designs.

Technical Context

The MSP430FR2532IRGER integrates a 16-bit RISC CPU with a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) locked to ±1% accuracy at room temperature, paired with a dedicated CapTIvate peripheral featuring spread-spectrum modulation, automatic electrode tuning, and concurrent self/mutual capacitance scanning. Its clock system includes on-chip REFO (32 kHz), VLO (10 kHz), MODOSC, and external LFXT support.

CapTIvate operation occurs autonomously in LPM3 while CPU sleeps, using hardware state machines for electrode scanning, environmental compensation, and threshold detection - eliminating software overhead. The device supports metal-over-glass and water-rejecting touch layouts via configurable CREG and CELECTRODE parameters, validated per IEC‑61000-4-2 (15-kV ESD), -4-4 (4-kV EFT), and -4-6 (10-V RMS noise immunity).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

VQFN-24 (RGE) package with 4 mm × 4 mm body size, 0.5-mm pitch, and exposed thermal pad (pin 24). Designed for high-density layout and thermal efficiency in compact touch-enabled devices.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430FR2532IRGER, the MSP430FR2533IRHB offers greater memory and electrode capacity for complex UIs but increases board area and active power; the MSP430FR2632IRGE retains the same package while doubling mutual-capacitance support - making it optimal for proximity-rich, space-constrained designs where self-cap count is secondary.

Availability

MSP430FR2532IRGER is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart lock keypads, appliance control panels, and wireless remote controls requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and guaranteed FRAM reliability.

Supply support for MSP430FR2532IRGER 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 delivering analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies with emphasis on energy efficiency, reliability, and system-level innovation.

The MSP430FR2xx family targets ultra-low-power human-machine interface applications, integrating CapTIvate touch sensing, FRAM memory, and intelligent peripherals to replace mechanical buttons and simplify robust, battery-efficient HMI design.

FAQ

What is the maximum number of capacitive touch electrodes supported by the MSP430FR2532IRGER?

The MSP430FR2532IRGER supports up to 8 self-capacitive electrodes or 8 mutual-capacitive electrodes. This is confirmed in the Device Comparison table (Table 3-1) and Section 1.1 Features of the SLAS942E datasheet. The device includes four dedicated CapTIvate channels, and electrode count is constrained by available GPIOs and internal routing - not by the CapTIvate module's theoretical limit. MSP430FR2532IRGER does not support mixed self/mutual configurations beyond this total count.

Does the MSP430FR2532IRGER include an integrated real-time clock (RTC)?

Yes, the MSP430FR2532IRGER includes a 16-bit counter-only RTC module that operates in LPM3.5 mode with a 32.768-kHz crystal, drawing 730 nA typical current. This RTC is separate from the main CPU and continues running during ultra-low-power sleep states, enabling precise wake scheduling for periodic touch polling or time-stamped events - critical for battery longevity in always-on applications.

What package type and dimensions does the MSP430FR2532IRGER use?

The MSP430FR2532IRGER uses a VQFN-24 (RGE) package measuring 4 mm × 4 mm with 0.5-mm pitch and an exposed thermal pad (pin 24). This is explicitly listed in the Device Information table and Section 1.1 "Package options" of the SLAS942E datasheet. The RGE variant is distinct from the 32-pin RHB and DA packages used by higher-memory family members.

Can the MSP430FR2532IRGER operate with a 3.3-V supply and still meet its specified current consumption?

Yes, the MSP430FR2532IRGER operates across 1.8 V to 3.6 V, and its active-mode current (126 µA/MHz) and LPM3.5 RTC current (730 nA) are specified at 3.0 V and 3.3 V in Section 5.4 and 5.8 of SLAS942E. At 3.3 V, typical active current remains within datasheet limits, and the SVS circuitry ensures stable brown-out protection - making it compatible with standard 3.3-V system rails without derating.

Is the MSP430FR2532IRGER pin-compatible with other devices in the MSP430FR253x/FR263x family?

No - the MSP430FR2532IRGER (VQFN-24) is not pin-compatible with 32-pin variants like MSP430FR2533IRHB or MSP430FR2633IRHB. However, it shares identical pinout, function mapping, and package dimensions with MSP430FR2632IRGE (same RGE package), enabling direct substitution where enhanced CapTIvate channel count is acceptable. Pin compatibility is limited to same-package variants only.