Medical wearable device using TI’s world’s smallest MCU for health monitoring applications
Texas Instruments (TI) [NASDAQ: TXN] has launched the world’s smallest microcontroller (MCU). It’s called the MSPM0C1104. This is a major breakthrough for tiny applications. Medical wearables and personal electronics will especially benefit.
The new MSPM0C1104 MCU is incredibly small. It measures just 1.38mm². That’s about the size of a black pepper grain. This is a 38% size reduction. It’s smaller than the previous smallest MCU. Designers can now optimize board space in compact designs. Performance will not be affected.
Key Features of the Ultra-Small MSPM0C1104 MCU
The MSPM0C1104 uses a Wafer Chip-Scale Package (WCSP). This helps it achieve its miniature size. It still has useful features:
- 16KB of Flash Memory: Enough memory for many small applications.
- 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC): It has three channels for analog signals. This is key for sensors in wearables.
- Six General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) Pins: These are needed to control external parts.
- Standard Communication Interface Compatibility: It works with UART, SPI, and I2C. This allows easy connection to other devices.
TI says this tiny MCU has precise, fast analog parts. Engineers can keep good computing performance. This is true even in very small designs.
Enabling Innovation in Tiny Applications
Vinay Agarwal is a VP at TI. He said this innovation is important. “Board space is very limited in tiny systems. Earbuds and medical probes are examples. Our MSPM0 MCU portfolio now has the world’s smallest MCU. This opens up many possibilities. It will make our daily lives smarter and more connected.”
This small MCU can drive innovation in many areas:
- Medical Wearables: Smaller, more discreet health monitors are now possible.
- Personal Electronics: Sleeker earbuds and smart pens can be made. Fitness trackers can also be more feature-rich.
- Smart Home Devices: Sensing and control can be added to even smaller devices.
- Industrial Sensors: Ultra-compact environmental monitors are now possible.
Part of a Scalable MSPM0 Portfolio
The MSPM0C1104 is part of TI’s MSPM0 MCU family. This family has over 100 cost-effective MCUs. They offer flexible analog parts and different computing options. This helps improve sensing and control. It also aims to lower costs and speed up design. The family has pin-compatible packages. This allows design flexibility for different needs.
Comprehensive Ecosystem for Developers
TI provides a full ecosystem for this new MCU. This includes software tools and hardware kits. There are also reference designs and code examples. The Zero Code Studio tool simplifies development. Users can set up and run MCU apps quickly. No coding is needed.
Availability and Pricing
The MSPM0C1104 MCU is available for pre-order on TI.com. It costs US$0.20 for 1,000 units. The MSPM0C1104 LaunchPad™ kit costs US$5.99 on TI.com. This makes it easy for engineers to start using this new technology.