Texas Instruments: MSP-EXP430FG4618 Experimenter Board for MSP430FG4618/F2013 MCU

Kit Overview

The MSP430FG4618/F2013 experimenter’s board (MSP-EXP430FG4618MSP-EXP430FG4618)  is a comprehensive development target board that can be used for a number of applications. This versatile MSP430 Experimenter Board features a MSP430F2013MSP430F2013 and a MSP430FG4618MSP430FG4618 and is compatible with TI’s wireless evaluation modules. Two JTAG headers are accessible to program and debug each MSP430 individually and allows for communication to external devices or between the two MSP430s. Power may be supplied over the USB FET or from the included AAA batteries.

The combination of the tiny MSP430F2013MSP430F2013 and the highly-integrated MSP430FG4618MSP430FG4618 provides nearly every combination of peripherals available from the MSP430 family. The integrated TI wireless evaluation module header and the large amounts of RAM on the MSP430FG4618 makes it an ideal platform for wireless applications. The wide range of integrated peripherals and hardware connectivity allows for nearly infinite development possibilitie and makes it the ideal learning platform the MSP430 MCU architecture.

An MSP430 Flash Emulation Tool (MSP-FET430UIFMSP-FET430UIF) is required to download code and debug the MSP430FG4618MSP430FG4618 and MSP430F2013MSP430F2013. Two separate JTAG headers are available, supporting independent debug environments. The MSP430FG4618 uses the standard 4-wire JTAG connection while the MSP430F2013 uses the Spy-Bi-wire (2-wire) JTAG interface allowing all port pins to be used during debug.

The Texas Instruments MSP430 family of ultralow-power microcontrollers consists of several devices featuring different sets of peripherals targeted for various applications. The architecture, combined with five low-power modes, is optimized to achieve extended battery life in portable measurement applications. The device features a powerful 16-bit RISC CPU, 16-bit registers, and constant generators that contribute to maximum code efficiency. The digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) allows wake-up from low-power modes to active mode in less than 6 µs.

Key Applications:  Portable medical and e-meter applications.