MSP430F5438AIZCAR - 25MHz 256KB MCU | Texas Instruments
MPN: MSP430F5438AIZCAR ✗ End of LifeMSP430F5438AIZCAR Overview
A microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit that combines a CPU core, memory, and peripheral interfaces into one compact device. The MSP430F5438A belongs to the MSP430 family of low-power mixed-signal microcontrollers. The ADC provides analog-to-digital conversion for sensor inputs, while the serial interfaces connect the device to sensors, displays, data converters, and external controllers. DMA reduces CPU involvement during data transfers, improving responsiveness in measurement and communications systems.
Key verified features include a 25 MHz operating frequency, 256 KB flash, 16 KB SRAM, a 12-bit ADC, hardware multiplier, DMA, UART, SPI, I2C, and timers. The 113-pin NFBGA package provides a high pin count for systems requiring substantial mixed-signal and digital connectivity. The manufacturer product page lists the operating temperature range as -40 °C to 85 °C for this ordering code.
The MSP430F5438AIZCAR is positioned between general-purpose embedded control and more specialized signal-processing designs. Its integrated ADC and mixed-signal peripherals can simplify designs that otherwise require separate analog components. The hardware multiplier supports efficient arithmetic in control, signal-processing, and communications algorithms, while DMA helps move peripheral data with less processor overhead.
Typical applications include industrial sensor acquisition, building and energy-monitoring equipment, communications modules, portable instruments, data loggers, and embedded control systems. Designers should verify pin multiplexing, peripheral availability, clock configuration, and power requirements against the datasheet before layout. The 113-pin NFBGA also requires careful PCB layout, exposed-pad thermal management, and manufacturing process controls.
This product page combines verified distributor and manufacturer information with application guidance and design considerations. For a proposed system, confirm the complete electrical limits, pin functions, package dimensions, thermal requirements, and lifecycle status in the current Texas Instruments documentation before committing to a production design.
Drop-in alternatives for MSP430F5438AIZCAR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesMSP430F5438AIZCAR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 16-bit mixed-signal microcontroller |
| CPU Architecture | MSP430 CPUXV2 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 25 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 16 KB |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit |
| Serial Interfaces | UART, SPI, I2C |
| DMA | Integrated |
| Timers | Integrated |
| Hardware Multiplier | Integrated |
| Package | 113-pin NFBGA (ZCA), 7 x 7 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to 85 °C |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
| Manufacturer Product Category | Microcontroller |
| Manufacturer | Texas Instruments |
| Ordering Code | MSP430F5438AIZCAR |
MSP430F5438AIZCAR 113-pin nfbga (zca), 7 x 7 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MSP430F5438AIZCAR (113-pin nfbga (zca), 7 x 7 mm package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for MSP430F5438AIZCAR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MSP430F5438AIZCAR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Acquisition, Energy Monitoring Equipment, Communications and Gateway Equipment, Portable Measurement Instruments, Data Logging and Embedded Control, Building and Automation Controls.
Industrial Sensor Acquisition
The MSP430F5438AIZCAR fits industrial sensor-acquisition systems that require an integrated 12-bit ADC, 25 MHz processing, and flexible serial connectivity. It can supervise analog sensor inputs while UART, SPI, or I2C connects external sensors, converters, and service interfaces. The 256 KB flash supports substantial firmware and calibration storage, while 16 KB SRAM supports buffering and control state. DMA can move peripheral data with less CPU overhead. The 113-pin NFBGA (ZCA) package also offers many external connections, but layout, thermal design, and exact ADC channel assignment must be checked against the datasheet.
Recommended
Energy Monitoring Equipment
The MSP430F5438AIZCAR is appropriate for energy-monitoring equipment where analog measurements, control logic, and communications are combined in one compact controller. Its 12-bit ADC can support sensor front ends, while the 25 MHz CPU handles measurement sequencing, calculations, and local control. UART, SPI, and I2C provide paths to display, gateway, or storage electronics, and DMA can improve throughput for sampled data. The 256 KB flash provides room for firmware, while the 16 KB SRAM supports active measurement buffers. Verify ADC accuracy, sampling requirements, and thermal performance for the intended voltage and current sensing channels.
Recommended
Communications and Gateway Equipment
The MSP430F5438AIZCAR can serve as the control MCU in communications equipment where multiple serial interfaces and low-power control are valuable. UART, SPI, and I2C allow the device to interface with radios, memory, transceivers, or configuration peripherals, while the hardware multiplier supports efficient data arithmetic. The 25 MHz operating frequency provides headroom for protocol handling and system management, and 256 KB flash supports firmware updates. DMA may be useful when transferring data between peripherals and memory. The high-pin-count NFBGA package requires careful ball assignment and assembly planning, so the final design should be checked against the manufacturer pin documentation.
Recommended
Portable Measurement Instruments
The MSP430F5438AIZCAR is suitable for portable measurement instruments that combine analog sensing, embedded processing, and serial configuration. The 12-bit ADC supports measurement channels, the hardware multiplier assists arithmetic workflows, and the 256 KB flash accommodates firmware plus instrument parameters. Low-power MSP430 architecture is relevant to battery-operated products, although exact sleep currents and wake-up behavior require verification in the current datasheet. The 113-pin NFBGA package supports many sensor, display, interface, and control connections, but its small footprint demands careful PCB routing, thermal analysis, and assembly process qualification.
Recommended
Data Logging and Embedded Control
The MSP430F5438AIZCAR supports data-logging and embedded-control designs that require local processing between sensor inputs and an external communications link. Its 25 MHz CPU can coordinate measurement tasks, timers, control logic, and data formatting, while DMA helps reduce processor involvement during peripheral transfers. The 16 KB SRAM supports working buffers and protocol state, and the 256 KB flash provides room for application code and logs. UART, SPI, and I2C enable connection to storage, host computers, or sensor networks. Because the verified data does not state all memory-map, peripheral, and package details, engineers should confirm them before creating a production design.
Recommended
Building and Automation Controls
The MSP430F5438AIZCAR can be evaluated for building-automation and environmental-control systems that combine analog sensing with local communications. The 12-bit ADC can monitor suitable sensor outputs, timers can support periodic sampling and control, and the serial interfaces can connect displays, remote modules, or service ports. The 25 MHz CPU and hardware multiplier provide processing capacity for control algorithms and diagnostics. The 256 KB flash is useful for maintaining application firmware and configuration parameters, while DMA can improve data movement. Actual suitability depends on the number of channels, required accuracy, power budget, safety requirements, and the exact pin multiplexing of the 113-pin NFBGA (ZCA) package.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MSP430F5438AIZCAR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product |
|---|---|
| Package | 113-pin NFBGA (ZCA), 7 x 7 mm |
| Brand | Texas Instruments |
| CPU Architecture | MSP430 CPUXV2 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 25 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 16 KB |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit |
| Serial Interfaces | UART, SPI, I2C |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to 85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated mixed-signal resource set (vs No verified alternative MPN available)
- Memory configuration (vs No verified alternative MPN available)
- High-pin-count package (vs MSP430F5438AIPZ)
Design Notes
Treat the 113-pin NFBGA (ZCA) package as a high-density assembly design. Assign every ball from the current manufacturer pinout, verify exposed-pad requirements, and reserve adequate routing and via access for the 7 x 7 mm footprint. Do not infer ball functions from a lower-pin-count MSP430 package; the distributor data identifies a 113-pin device, so a complete package-specific review is mandatory.
Plan the power tree and decoupling around the exact supply pins, voltage limits, and sequencing requirements in the Texas Instruments datasheet. The verified data confirms a mixed-signal MCU with ADC and DMA but does not provide the complete recommended capacitor set or supply-current limits. Confirm those values before placing bulk, ceramic, analog, and digital bypass capacitors.
Evaluate junction temperature and board thermal performance during worst-case ADC, communications, and processing activity. The supplied data confirms a 7 x 7 mm NFBGA (ZCA) package but does not provide thermal resistance or maximum power dissipation. Use the manufacturer thermal data or a validated board-level estimate; do not rely on package size alone.
Keep analog, ADC, digital, and serial-interface routing separated as far as the package and board area allow. Provide a controlled ground return for analog inputs and sensitive references, and follow the datasheet layout guidance for ADC and serial signals. The supplied data confirms a 12-bit ADC and UART/SPI/I2C interfaces but does not specify a complete reference layout or routing trace-geometry rule.
Compliance Information
The supplied verified data does not provide RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals declarations. These fields remain unknown rather than assumed.
