DonsDeals Blog: The New TI XMS430FR5969IRGZR - MSP430 Ultra-Low Power 16-bit Microcontroller

Here's some info and Pics of the new TI (Texas Instruments) XMS430FR5969IRGZR Ultra Low Power 16 Bit Microcontroller. They sent out an e-mail to their site members about receiving a free sample in return for writing a Review. I have to MSP-430 Kits that I got from Element14.com, for Testing and Writing a Review on them. You can check those Reviews here, Beginners Guide to The TI MSP-EXP430FR5739 Experimenter Board and here, http://donsdeals.blogspot.com/2012/10/beginners-view-of-ti-430boost-cc110l.html. Below are my Pics of the TI XMS430FR5969IRGZR - MSP430 Ultra-Low Power 16-bit Microcontroller...

I received my free sample of the, XMS430FR5969IRGZR Ultra-Low Power 16-bit Micro-controller. But, I didn't realize that it wont work on my MSP-EXP430G2 LaunchPad. As, I had previously thought. I spent over an hour on the TI Site researching and I thought that it would work. But, I was wrong, it only works with the MSP430 Wolverine Board. I thought, Wolverine was the name of the XMS430FR5969IRGZR Processor. But, here I found... "The MSP-FET430U48C board is the first board you can use to evaluate Wolverines series parts. No other board is available at the moment. However, this will not be the only Wolverine kit." From, (http://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/msp43016-bit_ultra-low_power_mcus/f/166/t/217992.aspx). Here's a page with a Pic of the Wolverine Board, http://www.43oh.com/2012/02/fresh-new-msp430-wolverine-dev-kit-with-lcd-boosterpack/. But, I did Not find this page, until after I received my Sample XMS430FR5969IRGZR Processor. And from the Pictures on the XMS430FR5969IRGZR Page. I thought, from looking at the Picture (http://www.ti.com/product/msp430fr5969). That this processor was of a design, like the processors that came with the MSP-EXP430G2. And I could just plug it in to my board. But, this is not the case. So, sadly. I wont be able to Test and Review the XMS430FR5969IRGZR Ultra-Low Power 16-bit Micro-controller. I see that at least on other person may have had the same problem. Se, these Posts on the Forums - MSP430 Ultra-Low Power 16-bit Micro-controller Forum - MSP430™16-bit Ultra-Low Power MCUs - TI E2E Community, (http://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/msp43016-bit_ultra-low_power_mcus/f/166/p/226663/811338.aspx#811338). But, I have done some reading and found plenty of info on the New TI XMS430FR5969IRGZR - MSP430 Ultra-Low Power 16-bit Microcontroller.

Someone answered my Post on the forms here, (http://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/msp43016-bit_ultra-low_power_mcus/f/166/t/217992.aspx). With a suggestion for a solution for my problem. Here's what I wrote back...

Hi Jan,

Thanks for the Pic and Link (http://www.schmartboard.com/index.asp?page=products_qfp&id=70). That's an interesting Board. It reminds me of the Home Etched Board Projects, that I have seen.

Here's a few, http://www.instructables.com/id/Printed-Circuit-Board-PCB-Sprayer-Machine/

And http://hackaday.com/2011/08/03/an-arm-dev-board-you-can-make-at-home/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

And http://hackaday.com/2011/10/17/lcd-backpack-from-arduino-board-to-homemade-pcb/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

And http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlui7s4lj7g&feature=player_embedded

Looks like the Board from your Link. The "202-0011-01 QFP, 32 - 100 Pins 0.5mm Pitch, 2" X 2" Grid EZ Version. Support up to 100 pins QFP, TQFP, PQFP package IC with 0.5mm pitch, 20 pcs. of 0603 package, and some thru hole passive components. 6 ground holes are connected a copper plane on the bottom side." Would be well worth $10. Since the chemicals, alone. Not to mention the time and other materials needed to etch a board like that, would be more than $10. I use to be pretty good at Soldering, But, alas, I can't see well enough now. To Solder something as small as the XMS430FR5969IRGZR. I need my Dollar Store Glass and a Magnifying Glass, just to Solder a normal sized Wire on a PCB now!:) So, that would be a No Go, for me... Here are some Size Comparison Pics, of the XMS430FR5969IRGZR. While setting my finger (On my Server, ftp://bishopco.homeip.net/pub/Pictures/TI-XMS430FR5969IRGZR-Ultra-Low-Power-Microcontroller/). And here's the Mechanical Data PDF on the TI Site, with the Pin and Size info, (http://www.ti.com/lit/ml/mpqf123e/mpqf123e.pdf).

And here's another Site that sells, Boards that are Pre-Made for Projects, http://evilmadscience.com/productsmenu/partsmenu/546

Thanks again,

Don

Check out the Links Below for More info...

Don