Texas Instruments Launches Ultra-Compact MCU for Wearables
Texas Instruments (TI) introduced a new microcontroller (MCU) on Wednesday to help engineers create smarter, smaller electronic devices. The new chip, the MSPM0C1104 MCU, part of TI’s expanding MSPM0 family, measures just 1.38mm²—roughly the size of a black pepper flake. TI claims this new MCU, the ‘world’s smallest,’ is 38% smaller than any other microcontroller on the market today. According to the company, the tiny size makes it ideal for use in space-constrained products such as medical wearables, earbuds, stylus pens, and personal electronics, where saving board space without sacrificing performance is critical. “In tiny systems such as earbuds and medical probes, board space is a scarce and valuable resource,” said Vinay Agarwal, vice president and general manager of MSP Microcontrollers at TI. “With the addition of the world’s smallest MCU, our MSPM0 MCU portfolio provides unlimited possibilities to enable smarter, more connected experiences in our day-to-day lives.” Despite its tiny form factor, the MSPM0C1104 MCU includes a robust set of features. It comes with 16KB of memory, a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter with three channels, and six general-purpose input/output pins. It also supports popular communication interfaces such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit). TI says that by integrating accurate, high-speed analog components into this small MCU, engineers can maintain high computing performance while keeping devices compact. This helps designers add new functions to products without needing more space or increasing costs. The new MCU joins TI’s larger MSPM0 family, offering scalable solutions for applications ranging from personal electronics to industrial and automotive systems. Prices for the MSPM0C1104 start at $0.20 in 1,000-unit quantities. TI also offers a LaunchPad™ development kit for rapid prototyping, priced at $5.99. TI’s MSPM0 series includes over 100 cost-effective microcontrollers, all designed to enhance sensing and control in embedded systems while reducing overall design time, cost, and complexity. These devices are pin-to-pin compatible, making it easier for engineers to scale their designs across different projects. The company has built a comprehensive ecosystem around the MSPM0 family to help engineers speed up development. Tools include a software development kit for all MSPM0 MCUs, hardware kits for prototyping, and ready-to-use code examples. TI’s Zero Code Studio also allows users to develop and run applications without any coding knowledge, making MCU design more accessible. TI continues to invest in its own manufacturing capabilities to support future demand, ensuring steady production and supply of these MCUs. The company is showcasing its latest technologies, including the MSPM0C1104, at Embedded World 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, from March 11-13.
TI claims this new MCU is 38% smaller than any other microcontroller on the market today.
TI claims this new MCU is 38% smaller than any other microcontroller on the market today.
["AI", "semiconductor"]
["API", "TPU", "programming_languages:R", "AI", "semiconductor", "Scala", "Git", "Aim", "programming_languages:Scala", "R"]
["AI", "Aim", "TPU", "R", "Scala", "Git", "API", "programming_languages:R", "programming_languages:Scala"]
Shalini is a senior tech journalist, exploring the latest advancements in AI. When she's not reporting on the latest innovations, you can find her immersed in her next literary adventure.