Date: 10/02/2009

The 16- & 32-bit MCU tools eases design for energy-efficient applications

Broadening its portfolio of MCU development tools to create energy-efficient and low power applications quickly and easily, Texas Instruments launched three new tools for TMS320C2000 32-bit real-time microcontrollers (MCU) and one new tool for the 16-bit MSP430F5xx MCU series.

Expanding TI's controlCARD offering, the 32-bit C2000-based Resonant DC/DC Developer's Kit, Renewable Energy Developer's Kit and Peripheral Explorer Development Kit speed development and enhance functionality for real-time digital power applications such as solar inverters, UPS, telecom rectifiers and LED lighting.

The MSP430F5438 MCU Experimenter's Kit helps designers to develop with and learn about the new F5xx MCUs, which provide low active power consumption, more memory and integration for applications such as energy harvesting, wireless sensing and automatic metering infrastructure.

Resonant DC/DC Developer's Kit key features:

1. TMS320F2808 controlCARD for DC/DC power conversion in UPS, telecom rectifiers and LED lighting applications
2. Single transformer LLC type digital power EVM with four distinct feedback methods
3. Loss-less current sensing circuit for fault protection and active load for transient response tuning
4. On-board USB JTAG emulation with connection for external emulator and power supply
5. 32 KB limited Code Composer Studio IDE, open source hardware and software
6. Future plans to support TMX320F28027 (Piccolo) controlCARD

Renewable Energy Developer's Kit key features:

1. F2808 controlCARD for DC/AC power conversion in solar, wind and fuel cell applications
2. Front end single-phase boost; board designed for single or three-phase output
3. Battery charging and management; includes relay switch between battery and solar panel
4. AC line sensing and synchronization to detect if main grid goes down
5. Voltage and current measurement for maximum power point tracking and anti-islanding
6. 15-20V DC input, 30V AC output; 5V power supply for C2000 MCU and board components
7. 32 KB limited Code Composer Studio IDE, open source hardware and software
8. Future plans to support TMX320F28027 (Piccolo) controlCARD

Peripheral Explorer Developer's Kit board key features:

1. Teaching tool for new users or students to demo key C2000 peripherals (ePWM, ADC, McBSP, eCAP, CAN, I2C, SPI, GPIO)
2. F28335 controlCARD included with peripheral explorer baseboard for full board development
3. 5V power supply for powering C2000 MCU and board components
4. 32 KB limited Code Composer Studio IDE, open source hardware, documentation and open source example software

MSP430F5438 Experimenter Kit key features:

1. Based on MSP430F5438 MCU for low power designs that need enhanced functionality for wireless sensing applications, smart metering and energy harvesting
2. Socket allows for easy upgrades and quick application changes
3. Fast low-power-wireless development with support for various TI wireless RF evaluation modules, which cover the sub-1GHz and 2.4GHz frequency bands
4. Multiple input/output options allow for system development, including microphone, joystick control, two push buttons, dot matrix LCD, USB connectivity and a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio output
5. JTAG headers make the device accessible for real-time, in-system programming and debugging
6. 16KB limited Code Composer Essentials IDE, documentation and open source example software

Price:
1. $299 for C2000 Resonant DC/DC Developer's Kit
2. $169 for C2000 Peripheral Explorer Developer's Kit
3. $149 for MSP430F5438 Experimenter's Kit
4. $349 for C2000 Renewable Energy Developer's kit

Availability:

1. First three are available for order now via the TI e-store or authorized distributors.
2. The Renewable Energy Developer's kit will be available in early March 2009.

Find out more about TI by visiting the link: www.ti.com