Texas Instruments Unveils World’s Smallest Arm Microcontroller

Texas Instruments has announced the MSPM0C1104, which is claimed to be the world’s smallest Arm-based microcontroller, measuring just 1.38 mm2 (in DSBGA form factor). The solution is designed for use in wearable medical devices, personal electronic gadgets, and other space-constrained devices.

The microcontroller is equipped with a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0+ core with a clock frequency of up to 24 MHz. There is 1 KB of SRAM memory and up to 16 KB of flash memory. Support for 1×UART, 1×I2C, 1×SPI, 18×GPIO is implemented. There is an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with support for up to ten external channels and a built-in temperature sensor.

Image source: Texas Instruments

The supply voltage can vary from 1.62 to 3.6 V. Various low-power modes are implemented: Run – 87 μA/MHz, Stop – 609 μA at 4 MHz or 311 μA at 32 kHz, and Standby – 5 μA with preservation of the SRAM memory contents. The operating temperature range extends from -40 to +125 °C. The Texas Instruments MSPM0C1104 microcontroller is available in the following versions:

• DSBGA (YCJ) – 8 contacts, 1.6×0.861 mm (1.3776 mm2);
• SOT-23-THN (DDF) — 8 contacts, 2.9×2.8 mm (8.12 mm2);
• SOT-23-THN (DYY) — 16 contacts, 4.2×2 mm (8.4 mm2);
• TSSOP (PW) – 20 contacts, 6.5×6.4 mm (41.6 mm2);
• VSSOP (DGS) – 20 contacts, 5.1×4.9 mm (24.99 mm2);
• WQFN (RUK) — 20 contacts, 3×3 mm (9 mm2);
• WSON (DSG) – 8 contacts, 2×2 mm (4 mm2).

Texas Instruments provides reference designs and a set of development tools for rapid prototyping for the new product. In particular, a LaunchPad kit with an interface board is available. The price of the microcontroller starts at $0.2 with deliveries in batches of 1000 pieces.