Texas Instruments MSP430G2403IN20

Overview

MSP430G2403IN20 from Texas Instruments is an ultra-low-power 16-bit RISC microcontroller in 20-pin PDIP packaging, featuring 8 KB flash, 512 B RAM, two 16-bit Timer_A modules, USCI with UART/I²C/SPI, and a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) enabling sub-1 µs wake-up from standby mode. It targets battery-powered sensor interface and capacitive-touch applications requiring long runtime and minimal external components.

For engineers reviewing the MSP430G2403IN20 datasheet, MSP430G2403IN20 pinout, MSP430G2403IN20 application, or MSP430G2403IN20 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 1.8–3.6 V supply range, 230 µA active current at 1 MHz/2.2 V, Spy-Bi-Wire debug interface, absence of integrated ADC (vs. G2x33 family), and PDIP-20 package suitability for prototyping and industrial control PCBs.

Technical Context

The MSP430G2403IN20 implements a 16-bit CPU with constant generators and three low-power modes beyond Active, Standby, and Off-optimized for intermittent sensing tasks. Its clock system integrates a calibrated DCO (up to 16 MHz), internal VLO, and support for external 32-kHz crystal or digital clock source, all managed via the Basic Clock System (BCS) module.

Peripherals are accessed through memory-mapped registers and support interrupt-driven operation: USCI_A0 provides LIN-capable UART, IrDA, and SPI; USCI_B0 supports I²C and SPI; Timer_A3 modules deliver capture/compare with up to three registers each; and port pins P1.x–P2.x offer configurable pullup/pulldown, interrupt capability, and capacitive-touch enablement-though no ADC functionality is present on this variant.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-pin PDIP (N20), 24.33 mm × 6.35 mm body size, through-hole mounting suitable for breadboarding, test fixtures, and legacy industrial PCBs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MSP430G2433IN20, the MSP430G2403IN20 omits ADC hardware-reducing die size and cost-but retains identical timing, communication, and low-power performance. Against MSP430G2303IN20, it doubles flash and RAM while preserving pin compatibility, enabling feature-rich firmware upgrades without board revision.

Availability

MSP430G2403IN20 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, capacitive-touch control panels, PLC I/O modules, and energy-harvesting data loggers requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for MSP430G2403IN20 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 specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies, with decades of expertise in ultra-low-power design.

The MSP430G2xx product line delivers cost-optimized, mixed-signal microcontrollers targeting battery-operated and energy-constrained applications-emphasizing rapid wake-up, integrated peripherals, and robust development tooling.

FAQ

Does the MSP430G2403IN20 include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)?

No, the MSP430G2403IN20 does not integrate an ADC. It belongs to the G2x03 subfamily, which excludes the 10-bit ADC present in the G2x33 variants (e.g., MSP430G2433IN20). All ADC-related pins (e.g., P1.3, P1.4, P1.5) function solely as general-purpose I/O on the MSP430G2403IN20.

What debug interface does the MSP430G2403IN20 support?

The MSP430G2403IN20 supports Spy-Bi-Wire (SBW), a two-wire variant of JTAG implemented on pins RST/NMI/SBWTDIO (Pin 16) and TEST/SBWTCK (Pin 17). This enables full in-circuit debugging and flash programming without external voltage or additional pins-critical for space-constrained PDIP designs.

Can the MSP430G2403IN20 operate from a single 1.8 V supply?

Yes, the MSP430G2403IN20 supports operation from 1.8 V to 3.6 V. At 1.8 V, maximum system frequency is 6 MHz (MCLK), and active current is characterized at 230 µA/MHz. This enables direct use with single-cell lithium batteries or low-voltage regulators without level translation.

Is the MSP430G2403IN20 pin-compatible with other 20-pin MSP430G2xx devices?

Yes, the MSP430G2403IN20 shares identical pinout and electrical characteristics with MSP430G2303IN20 and MSP430G2203IN20 in the N20 package. It is also pin-compatible with MSP430G2433IN20 and MSP430G2333IN20, though those include ADC functionality on shared pins.

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the MSP430G2403IN20?

The MSP430G2403IN20 supports a maximum MCLK frequency of 16 MHz when VCC ≥ 3.3 V. At 2.7 V, max MCLK is 12 MHz; at 1.8 V, it is limited to 6 MHz. These limits are defined by the DCO's calibrated operating range and ensure reliable timing across voltage and temperature.