Low-cost microcontroller series supporting capacitive sensor CapTIvate™ technology

The "MSP430FR25x2" microcontroller is a microcontroller product that supports CapTIvate technology, which was introduced in the technical article "Capacitive touch sensing can be realized with just a microcontroller! What is CapTIvate technology?"

This product is a capacitive sensing microcontroller from Texas Instruments (hereafter TI) that is particularly recommended for low-cost applications.

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Source: Texas Instruments - Datasheet "MSP430FR25x2 Capacitive Touch Sensing, Mixed Signal Microcontrollers"

This article discusses the following features of the MSP430FR25x2:

  1. TI's ultra-low power consumption microcontroller MSP430FR series
  2. Equipped with next-generation memory FRAM that is non-volatile and capable of high-speed writing
  3. Microcontrollers that support CapTIvate technology

 

1. TI's ultra-low power consumption microcontroller MSP430FR series

The MSP430 has a low power consumption core of less than 100uA/MHz in 100uA/MHz active mode and less than 3500nA in RTC standby mode. In addition, it has seven low power consumption modes, and since it starts up quickly from the low power consumption mode, it achieves the lowest power consumption in the industry.

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Transition image from standby state

2. Equipped with next-generation memory FRAM that is non-volatile and capable of high-speed writing

Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FRAM) is non-volatile like flash, but supports high-speed, low-power writes, with over 1000 trillion write endurance and excellent flexibility. It has the ability (*).

*FRAM can be written/read at high speed and can be handled like SRAM. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly change the program area and data area.

3. Microcontrollers that support CapTIvate technology

CapTIvate technology is a peripheral that converts capacitance into a digital value, built into TI's MSP430 microcontroller series. This technology is only installed in the following 6 products. Due to its high sensitivity to changes in capacitance, CapTIvate technology also supports metal overlays, in which case deflection of the metal overlay is measured from changes in capacitance.

Product model number MSP430FR2512 MSP430FR2522 MSP430FR2532 MSP430FR2632 MSP430FR2533 MSP430FR2633
FRAM/RAM 8KB/2KB 8KB/2KB 8KB/1KB 8KB/2KB 16KB/2KB 16KB/4KB
number of buttons up to 4 up to 16 up to 8 up to 16 up to 16 up to 64
I/O for Capacitive Sensing 4 8 8 8 16 16
Sensing block 1 2 4 4 4 4
package 16-pin TSSOP
20-pin QFN
16-pin TSSOP
20-pin QFN
24-pin QFN 24-pin TSSOP and DSBGA 32-pin TSSOP and QFN 32-pin TSSOP and QFN 24-pin DSBGA

"BOOSTXL-CAPKEYPAD" evaluation kit for immediate evaluation

BOOSTXL-CAPKEYPAD is an evaluation module for the MSP430FR2522 capacitive touch sensing MCU with CapTIvate technology.

* BOOSTXL-CAPKEYPAD alone cannot be developed.
It can be used with other LaunchPad™ development kits from TI, the CapTIvate Development Kit (MSP-CAPT-FR2633), or the CapTIvate Programmer Board (CAPTIVATE-PGMR).

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BOOSTXL-CAPKEYPAD

Features

  • MSP430FR2522 MSP430 MCU with CapTIvate Technology
  • 40-pin BoosterPack standard to leverage the LaunchPad ecosystem
  • CapTIvate programming header for interfacing with CAPTIVATE-PGMR
  • Proximity-sensitive numeric keypad with 12 touch buttons
  • Integrated LP3943 LED driver for backlight

Application example

  • Electronic smart locks, door keypads, readers
  • garage door system
  • Intrusion prevention HMI keypad and intrusion control panel
  • elevator call button
  • personal electronics
  • Wireless speakers and headsets
  • A/V receiver
  • Home appliances
  • power tools
  • light switch
  • doorbell with video
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Application example

Product Summary

Type name MSP430FR2522/MSP430FR2512
specification
  • Low cost CapTIvate MCU 16-bit RISC architecture - up to 16MHz clock frequency
  • 8K FRAM/2K RAM
  • Supports I2C/SPI x1 and UART/SPI x1 interfaces
  • Small 4.5x3.5mm VQFN or 5mm x 4.4mm TSSOP package
  • Built-in 10-bit, 8-ch ADC
  • Built-in CapTIvate and driver library in 12KB ROM
  • Active mode 120uA/MHz (standard value)
  • Standby: LPM3.5* 710uA (standard value)*32768Hz crystal oscillator with real-time clock operating
  • Capacitive touch I/O 16 (MSP430FR2522), 4 (MSP430FR2512)



Click here for recommended articles/materials

Capacitive touch sensing can be realized only with a microcomputer! What is CapTIvate Technology?
Touch detection is possible even with water droplets! What are the two capacitive methods?
Ultra low power consumption with CapTIvate wake-on-touch
Set up your design environment in minutes with the CapTIvate Design Center GUI
Easy tuning of CapTIvate touch sensitivity with GUI
Reference design to display touch sensing results on LCD with CapTIvate
What is a sensor? Basic knowledge for digitization and IoT

Click here for product price information and availability

BOOSTXL-CAPKEYPAD

Click here for manufacturer site/other related links

Capacitive Sensing MCUs Overview
CapTIvate™ Technology Guide
MSP MCU Training Series with CapTIvate™ Technology Video
Click here for the latest training videos

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