The MSP430 is an ultralow-power mixed signal microcontroller family consisting of several devices that feature different sets of modules targeted to various applications. The microcontroller is designed to be battery operated for an extended application lifetime. With 16-bit RISC architecture, 16-bit integrated registers on the CPU, and a constant generator, the MSP430 achieves maximum code efficiency. The digitally-controlled oscillator, together with the frequency-locked-loop (FLL), provides a wakeup from a low-power mode to active mode in less than 6 us.

Typical applications include sensor systems that capture analog signals, converting them to digital values, and then processes the data and displays them or transmits them to a host system.