The Texas Instruments MSP430 family of ultra-low-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 the device to wake up from low-power modes to active mode in less than 6 µs.

The MSP430FW42x series are microcontroller configurations with two built-in 16-bit timers, a comparator, 96 LCD segment drive capability, a scan interface, and 48 I/O pins.

Typical applications include sensor systems that capture analog signals, convert them to digital values, and process the data and transmit them to a host system. The comparator and timers make the configurations ideal for gas, heat, and water meters, industrial meters, counter applications, and hand-held meters.