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why MSP more expensive than Cortex M0

David Sun
Intellectual 350 points

happened browse Mouser website, notice new Cortex M0 from Freescale, for example 8K flash, 2K ram, 16QFN is roughly $0.3 to 0.5. but TI MSP430G2Xxx, with 2K Flash, 512Kram, QFN16 is listed at $0.6 to 1. if the power requirement is not very critical. is there any other advantage of TI's chip. how TI compete with Cortex 32 bit chip.


thanks,

David Sun

  • 0
    Guru 46710 points

    >how TI compete with Cortex 32 bit chip.

    This is incorrect question because TI indeed offer Cortex 32 bit ARM microcontrollers :)

    msp430 compete with low-power ARM chips in many ways - like different market/pricing strategy, different peripherals, different CPU architecture, different software and hardware development tools and so on. If you don't care about all this then just select cheapest one that still meets technical requirements. Otherwise in case you design mass-product that will be sold in huge quantities - contact TI representative and ask him: "how TI compete with Cortex 32 bit chip". I am sure TI will be forthcoming.

  • 0 in reply to Ilmars
    Intellectual 350 points
    thank you for your prompt reply, my question should be "how MSP430 compete with the low cost, low end Cortex M0 MCU. "
    I start use TI DSP chip about 25 years ago. at that time, no one complained the cost of 320C25 or C30. I use MSP430 for few years, it is painful to use a new chip and tool. I think I understand what you mean. I believe if I was a new designer I would go to a low cost chip if it features close enough to MSP.

    Sincerely,

    David
  • 0 in reply to zrno soli
    Intellectual 350 points
    thank you for provide the link, it is a very interesting discuss happened about 2 years ago. at that time I think the cost are comparable, now the situation is totally changed. for similar or higher performance, the cost of M0+ is only half. I think TI is consuming its loyal customer.
  • 0 in reply to David Sun
    Guru 46710 points

    Ti was committed to msp430 and ignoring low power ARM market for too long. Now they are trying to catch-up this highly overcrowded market with msp432. Good luck! Besides revised (street) pricing hope for msp432 future is those who are deeply into or just loyal to msp43x chips/peripherals. I admit that I like quick learning curve of msp430 CPU and peripherals compared to kinda complex ARM low power competitors. If I need to test some circuit that needs throwavay service processor just for prototype, I probably will take one of msp430 LaunchPad's. On the other hand if I need to design (low power) embedded product with >8KByte code, my choice most probably will be different, not even msp432.

    p.s. Funny thing that msp430 is not even smallest microcontroller. ARM is.

  • 0 in reply to Ilmars
    Guru 12050 points
    Freescales KL03 is even smaller: 1.6 x 2.0 mm² WLCSP (20pin)
    TI was not prepared for sub 99cent ARM0+ hitting them like this.
    In the future you will just select how many PWM/timers/Voltage range and deepsleep uA as it being an ARM0/ARM3 is taken for granted.
    With SWD being universal standard, no need to buy a new FET for every different manufactures own risc mcu.
  • 0 in reply to Ilmars
    Intellectual 350 points

    If you check Mouser for Cortex M0+ from freescale. the lowest cost chip is

    ARM Microcontrollers - MCU Kinetis L 32-bit MCU, ARM Cortex-M0+ core, 8KB Flash, 48MHz, QFN 16.
    for 1000 chips, list price is on $0.375.
    May be TI can do $0.1 for 2 million chips, but most of the user won't need that much.

    I hope for low end MSP430G2x family, they can make same offer. because most of use don't have big volume to bargain

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