Texas Instruments MSP430FR5720IPW

Overview

MSP430FR5720IPW from Texas Instruments is a 16-bit ultra-low-power mixed-signal microcontroller featuring 4KB FRAM nonvolatile memory, 1KB RAM, and operation up to 8 MHz. It integrates a 10-bit ADC with 6 external channels, a 16-channel analog comparator, three eUSCI modules (two UART/SPI-capable, one I²C/SPI-capable), and five 16-bit timers. It targets battery-powered sensor nodes in industrial monitoring systems.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430FR5720IPW datasheet, MSP430FR5720IPW pinout, MSP430FR5720IPW application, or MSP430FR5720IPW equivalent, key selection criteria include FRAM endurance (10¹⁵ write cycles), RTC support in LPM3.5 (1.5 µA), standby current (6.3 µA in LPM3), TSSOP-28 package compatibility, and ADC resolution/sampling rate trade-offs versus memory size.

Technical Context

The MSP430FR5720IPW implements the MSP430 CPUXV2 core with 16-bit RISC architecture and supports seven low-power modes-including LPM3.5 with RTC + crystal (1.5 µA) and LPM4.5 shutdown (0.32 µA). Its FRAM memory replaces flash and SRAM, enabling simultaneous read/write, no erase-before-write, and immunity to write-cycle wear-out.

Peripherals are tightly coupled to power management: the eUSCI_A0/A1 modules support UART with auto-baud detection and IrDA, while eUSCI_B0 handles I²C with multi-slave addressing and SPI; the 10-bit ADC achieves 200 ksps at 100 µA and includes internal reference and sample-and-hold; the RTC provides calendar and alarm functions with crystal support.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The MSP430FR5720IPW is housed in a 28-pin Thin Shrink Small Outline Package (TSSOP), with exposed thermal pad recommended to be connected to DVSS for thermal stability and noise reduction.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430FR5720IPW, MSP430FR5722IPW doubles FRAM capacity without changing layout or power profile, while MSP430FR5724IPW adds analog channel density-both maintain identical low-power behavior and debug interface, making them drop-in upgrades for memory- or channel-limited designs.

Availability

MSP430FR5720IPW is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart utility metering, industrial sensor nodes, and asset tracking beacons requiring stable component supply, long-term manufacturability, and TI's 10+ year product longevity commitment.

Supply support for MSP430FR5720IPW 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 solutions with emphasis on reliability, longevity, and industrial-grade qualification.

The MSP430FR57xx family was designed specifically for ultra-low-power sensing and system management in building automation, smart grid infrastructure, and industrial IoT edge nodes where battery life, nonvolatile data integrity, and real-time responsiveness are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MSP430FR5720IPW?

The MSP430FR5720IPW operates at up to 8 MHz using its integrated DCO or external crystal sources. This frequency is fully supported across all recommended operating conditions (2 V to 3.6 V, –40°C to 85°C), and the device maintains timing compliance for all peripherals-including ADC conversion, timer captures, and eUSCI baud generation-at this rate. The MSP430FR5720IPW does not require external clock circuitry to achieve full-speed operation.

Does the MSP430FR5720IPW support real-time clock functionality with calendar mode?

Yes, the MSP430FR5720IPW includes an integrated RTC_B module that supports calendar mode (year/month/day/hour/minute/second), alarm interrupts, and automatic leap-year correction. When powered in LPM3.5 with a 32-kHz crystal connected to PJ.4/PJ.5, the MSP430FR5720IPW consumes only 1.5 µA while maintaining ±2 ppm accuracy-enabling precise time-stamped data logging and scheduled wake-up events.

How many analog input channels does the MSP430FR5720IPW ADC support?

The MSP430FR5720IPW features a 10-bit ADC10_B module with 6 external analog input channels (A0–A5) and 2 internal channels (temperature sensor and VMID). This configuration is confirmed in Table 3-1 of the SLASE35C datasheet and matches the TSSOP-28 (PW) package variant. Channel mapping is fixed per pin (e.g., P1.0 = A0, P1.1 = A1), and all channels share the same reference and sample-and-hold circuitry.

What communication interfaces are available on the MSP430FR5720IPW?

The MSP430FR5720IPW integrates three enhanced universal serial communication interfaces: eUSCI_A0 and eUSCI_A1 each support UART, IrDA, and SPI; eUSCI_B0 supports I²C (with multi-slave addressing) and SPI. All modules operate independently and concurrently-eUSCI_A0 can handle UART debug output while eUSCI_B0 manages I²C sensor reads and eUSCI_A1 drives SPI-based data transmission-all without CPU intervention via DMA.

Is the MSP430FR5720IPW pin-compatible with other devices in the MSP430FR57xx family?

Yes, the MSP430FR5720IPW in the TSSOP-28 (PW) package shares identical pinout, signal mapping, and electrical characteristics with MSP430FR5722IPW, MSP430FR5724IPW, MSP430FR5726IPW, and MSP430FR5728IPW. This allows direct substitution within the same PCB layout when upgrading FRAM size or analog channel count, provided firmware accommodates the increased resources. Pin compatibility is verified across Figures 4-4 and Table 4-1 in the SLASE35C datasheet.