Texas Instruments MSP430FR5994IPM

Overview

MSP430FR5994IPM from Texas Instruments is a 16-bit ultra-low-power mixed-signal microcontroller featuring 256KB FRAM, 8KB RAM, integrated Low-Energy Accelerator (LEA), 12-bit ADC with up to 20 external channels, and six 16-bit timers - deployed in grid infrastructure monitoring and wearable fitness devices requiring deterministic real-time signal processing with sub-μA standby current.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430FR5994IPM datasheet, MSP430FR5994IPM pinout, MSP430FR5994IPM application, or MSP430FR5994IPM equivalent, key selection criteria include FRAM endurance (10¹⁵ write cycles), LPM3.5 RTC current (350 nA), LEA-accelerated FFT performance, capacitive-touch I/O support without external components, and UART/I²C bootloader compatibility.

Technical Context

The MSP430FR5994IPM implements a CPUXV2 16-bit RISC core with 16-MHz max clock, paired with a dedicated LEA subsystem operating independently using shared 4KB RAM - enabling 256-point complex FFT execution up to 40× faster than Arm Cortex-M0+ cores without CPU intervention. Its memory architecture unifies code and data in nonvolatile FRAM with zero-wait-state writes and radiation resistance.

Power management includes five low-power modes: Active (118 µA/MHz), LPM3 (500 nA), LPM3.5 with RTC (350 nA), and LPM4.5 shutdown (45 nA). The clock system integrates DCO, LFXT (32-kHz crystal), HFXT (high-frequency crystal), and VLO, with all I/O pins supporting edge-selectable wake-up and programmable pullup/pulldown.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP-64 package (10 mm × 10 mm), thermally enhanced with exposed pad; 54 GPIOs, including 16 capacitive-touch-capable pins, all supporting interrupt-on-change and programmable drive strength.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430FR5994IPM, the MSP430FR5964IPM omits LEA for cost-sensitive deployments lacking intensive DSP, while the MSP430FR59941IPM swaps UART BSL for I²C BSL to preserve serial resources - both retain identical FRAM endurance, 350-nA RTC operation, and capacitive-touch I/O capability.

Availability

MSP430FR5994IPM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for grid infrastructure monitoring, industrial sensor nodes, and wearable electronics requiring stable component supply, long-term manufacturability, and guaranteed FRAM reliability across extended temperature ranges.

Supply support for MSP430FR5994IPM 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 energy efficiency, reliability, and system integration.

The MSP430FR599x product line targets ultra-low-power sensing and measurement applications - combining FRAM nonvolatility, sub-μA sleep modes, and hardware-accelerated signal processing to replace legacy flash-based MCUs in battery-critical systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MSP430FR5994IPM?

The MSP430FR5994IPM features a CPUXV2 16-bit RISC core with a maximum clock frequency of 16 MHz. This speed is supported across the full 1.8-V to 3.6-V supply range and enables deterministic real-time execution of control algorithms and sensor processing tasks without timing jitter. The device achieves this performance while maintaining ultra-low active current consumption of 118 µA/MHz.

Does the MSP430FR5994IPM support capacitive touch sensing on all I/O pins?

Yes, the MSP430FR5994IPM supports capacitive-touch capability on all 54 general-purpose I/O pins without requiring external components such as resistors or capacitors. This is implemented via an integrated charge-transfer circuit within each port module, enabling robust self-capacitive sensing for buttons, sliders, and wheels - verified in production silicon and documented in the MSP430FR59xx Family User's Guide.

How does the Low-Energy Accelerator (LEA) in the MSP430FR5994IPM improve system-level power efficiency?

The LEA in the MSP430FR5994IPM executes signal-processing kernels - including 256-point complex FFT, FIR filters, and matrix operations - independently of the CPU using dedicated 4KB RAM. By offloading compute-intensive tasks, it reduces CPU active time by up to 70%, directly lowering total system energy per operation. Benchmarks confirm LEA delivers FFT results up to 40× faster than a Cortex-M0+ core at equivalent clock rate.

What are the key differences between the MSP430FR5994IPM and MSP430FR5964IPM?

The primary difference is the presence of the Low-Energy Accelerator (LEA): the MSP430FR5994IPM includes LEA for hardware-accelerated signal processing, while the MSP430FR5964IPM omits it. All other specifications - 256KB FRAM, 8KB RAM, 12-bit ADC, six 16-bit timers, eUSCI modules, and ultra-low-power modes - are identical between the two parts. Both share the same LQFP-64 (PM) package footprint.

Can the MSP430FR5994IPM operate from a single 1.8-V supply?

Yes, the MSP430FR5994IPM operates across a supply voltage range of 1.8 V to 3.6 V. At 1.8 V, it supports full functionality including 16-MHz CPU operation, FRAM read/write, ADC conversion, and LEA execution - subject to SVS level constraints confirmed in Section 8.3 of the SLASE54D datasheet. Minimum voltage is not limited by core logic but by the supply-voltage supervisor thresholds.