Texas Instruments claims MSPM0C1104 is world’s smallest MCU

Texas Instruments has announced what it claims to be the world’s smallest microcontroller, the MSPM0C1104, which measures 1.38 mm²—approximately the size of a black pepper flake. This microcontroller is part of the MSPM0 series, built on the 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0+ CPU architecture. Among the three variants in the MSPM0 lineup, the MSPM0C serves as the entry-level option, featuring a 24 MHz clock and 8-16 kB of flash memory, and is available in ultra-compact packaging.

The MSPM0 family was initially designed to extend Texas Instruments’ 16-bit MSP430 line by providing a larger address space for both code and data while maintaining low power consumption and integrating essential peripheral devices. The introduction of the MSPM0C1104 MCU specifically addresses the growing need to minimize board space in compact applications, such as medical wearables and personal electronics.

Specifications of Texas Instruments MSPM0C1104 MCU

• Processor core: 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0+ CPU with a frequency up to 24 MHz
• Memory and storage: 1 kB of SRAM and up to 16 kB of flash
• Analog peripherals: 1x ADC with up to 10 external channels, configurable 1.4V or 2.5V internal ADC voltage reference, integrated temperature sensor, integrated supply monitor
• Digital peripherals: 1-channel DMA controller dedicated for ADC, 3x timers supporting up to 14 PWM channels
• Communication interfaces: 1x UART supporting LIN, lrDA, DALI, smart card, Manchester, low-power operation in STANDBY mode, 1x I2C, SMBus, PMBus, 1x SPI
• I/O features: Up to 18 GPIOs, 2x 5V tolerant open-drain IOs
• Operating temperature: –40 °C to 125 °C
• Supply voltage: 1.62V to 3.6V

With its compact design, the company utilizes an eight-ball WCSP package that measures 1.38 mm², achieving a 38 percent reduction in footprint compared to the smallest competitive MCUs. This design balances between minimizing silicon area with providing adequate functionality for embedded control and sensing tasks.

Additionally, it is pin-to-pin compatible across various variants, allowing developers to interchange MCUs with higher or lower memory or performance without redesigning the PCB, thus facilitating product line scalability with minimal hardware changes.

Texas Instruments offers an extensive suite of development tools to promote the adoption of this latest MCU, including a software development kit, a hardware development kit, reference designs and subsystems, and a zero-code studio. The LP-MSPM0C1104 LaunchPad development kit is an entry-level evaluation module designed for rapid prototyping and development with the MSPM0C1104 microcontroller.