Texas Instruments Introduces Low-Power Microcontroller with Complete Signal Chain for Portable Medical Diagnostic Equipments

Texas Instruments Introduces Low-Power Microcontroller with Complete Signal Chain for Portable Medical Diagnostic Equipments

November 14, 2007

New MSP430 MCU with System-on-Chip Integration Helps Make
Handheld Measurement and Monitoring Systems More
Affordable


    DALLAS, Nov. 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Low-power
embedded technology reaches a new level of integration and
affordability as Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE:
TXN) today announces a system-on-chip (SoC) microcontroller
unit (MCU) that provides a complete signal chain for
handheld medical applications.  The new MSP430FG4270 MCU
integrates a comprehensive range of functions needed to
design low cost portable medical diagnostic equipment.  The
generous on-chip memory and a full suite of integrated
analog peripherals keep component costs and system space to
a minimum in portable applications such as personal blood
pressure monitors, spirometers, pulsoximeters and heart
rate monitors.  (For more information, see
http://www.ti.com/msp430fg4270-pr )

    (Logo:
http://www.xprn.com/xprn/sa/20061107170439-20-min.jpg )

    Medical diagnostics are changing rapidly, aided by a
new generation of equipment and handheld devices that can
be carried to the patient's bedside.  Processing solutions
for such equipments must not only offer high performance
and low power consumption, but also minimize board space
and component counts through SoC integration.  In order to
measure, monitor and display analog physiological input
signals such as temperature, blood pressure and other vital
signs, the ultra-low power MSP430FG4270 MCU integrates the
complete analog and digital signal chain.  This includes
signal conditioning techniques such as amplification,
filtering and digital conversion.

    The MSP430FG4270's 16-bit RISC architecture is designed
for optimized performance and extended battery life -- key
care abouts of designers of portable applications.  Five
low-power modes, with a standby power consumption of only
1.1 uA, conserve power, while a wake-up from standby to
active mode of less than 6 us provides excellent response
when the equipment is needed.  On-chip functions that save
external components include a high-performance 16-bit
sigma-delta analog to digital converter (ADC) with internal
reference and five differential analog inputs, 12-bit
digital to analog converter (DAC), two configurable
operational amplifiers, 16-bit timer, 16-bit registers, 32
I/O pins, zero-power brown-out reset, and a liquid crystal
display (LCD) driver with contrast control for up to 56
segments.

    The MCU's power savings and SoC integration can also
benefit other types of applications, including analog and
digital sensor systems, portable medical devices, digital
motor control, remote controls, thermostats, digital timers
and handheld meters.

    "As the world of medical diagnostics becomes
increasingly portable and cost competitive, equipment
manufacturers require processing solutions that not only
reduce development complexity and time, but also help
minimize space and cost in the finished product," said
Cornelia Huellstrunk, product marketing manager, MSP430,
Texas Instruments.  "TI's MSP430FG4270 MCU addresses
this need with low power consumption, a full signal chain
on chip, and outstanding development support-all at an
affordable price."

    To speed time to market, MSP430 Development Kits
include everything required to complete an entire project,
including the IAR Embedded Workbench(TM) and Code Composer
Studio Essentials(TM) Integrated Development Environments
(IDEs), a USB debugging and programming interface, and an
MSP430-based target board.

    Availability, Packaging and Pricing

    The new MSP430FG4270 MCU is now available in volume
from TI and TI Authorized Distributors.  Customers can
select a 48-pin SSOP or 48-pin QFN package. Suggested
resale pricing for the MSP430FG4270 is $3.78 per unit in
quantities of 10,000.

    TI Enables Innovation with a Broad Range of
Controllers

    From ultra low power MSP430 and 32-bit general purpose
TMS470 ARM7(R)-based MCUs to high performance
TMS320C2000(TM) digital signal controllers, TI offers
designers a broad range of embedded control solutions. 
Designers can also accelerate their design to market by
tapping into TI's complete software and hardware tools,
extensive third party offerings and technical support. For
more information on the broad range of TI's controllers,
see http://www.ti.com/mcu . 

    Texas Instruments

    Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements. In addition to
Semiconductor, the company includes the Education
Technology business.  TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas,
and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more
than 25 countries.  Texas Instruments is traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN.  More information
is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com . 

    Trademarks

    TMS320C28x, TMS320C2000 and Code Composer Studio
Essentials are trademarks of Texas Instruments.  ARM7 is a
trademark of ARM Ltd.  All other registered trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.


    For more information, please contact:

     Otilia Ayats-Mas
     Texas Instruments
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Ramona Layne Long
     GolinHarris
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]