MSP430x09x Analog Pool: Feature Set and Advanced Use

The MSP430x09x is the first native 0.9-V device in the portfolio of the MSP430 family. It is designed to be supplied from a single coin cell with a voltage range between 1.65 V and 0.9 V. While the MSP430x09x is almost identical to other MSP430™ microcontrollers (MCUs) with respect to digital features and peripherals, the MSP430x09x introduces a new analog module named the analog pool (A-Pool). In addition to a general overview of the various modules found within the MSP430x09x family, this application report provides a detailed discussion of the analog pool.

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1 MSP430x09x Overview

The MSP430x09x allows the user to target applications such as motor control, IR communications, and power monitoring. The main differences between the MSP430x09x and other MSP430 MCUs are:

Native 0.9-V device
No memory that holds information over a power cycle
Software ROM module to support loading code to and from external memory
JTAG pins shared with I/O functionality
Programmable analog module (A-Pool)
Emulation mode for ROM code development
Password protected ROM code

The MSP430x09x consists of several modules (see Figure 1). Two 16-bit timers are available and make it possible to have capture/compare functionality on every port pin. The compact clock system lets you set the correct application frequency. In addition, an analog pool (A-Pool) module is implemented. The A-Pool contains an 8-bit DAC, comparator, and surrounding logic. The A-Pool can be configured to support higher-level functions such as an 8-bit ADC or SVM. Furthermore, 11 I/O pins are available, four of which are used as JTAG communication pins by default. As a software module, the bootloader found in the MSP430L092 allows loading the application code from external memory.

Figure 1. MSP430L092 Functional Block Diagram