Energy harvesting, personal safety and asset management solutions take top prizes in TI's ultra-low power MSP430(TM) MCU design contest

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Feb 18, 2010, 01:58 ET

DALLAS, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) today announced that Gerardo Barroeta's FindIT Flashlight took top prize in the MSP430 microcontroller (MCU) Ultra-Low Power Design Challenge. Leveraging the performance, intelligent peripherals and industry leading low power of TI's MSP430 MCU, the FindIT Flashlight is an innovative wireless identification system that can function for nearly the complete shelf life of a battery with moderate use. The solution employs an optical communications link between an array of uniquely identifiable smart tags and an interrogator flashlight to greatly speed and simplify asset location. The Ultra-Low Power Design Challenge was commissioned to inspire developers to showcase their talents, and entries can be viewed at www.designmsp430.com

Barroeta, from San Francisco, CA, was awarded the first place prize, which includes $3,500 cash, plus one copy of TI's Code Composer Studio™ v4 and revolutionary eZ430-Chronos Watch Development Kit.

Second place was awarded to Fred Rupinski of Kinnelon, NJ for his microCANARY design that serves as a personal hostile environment monitor. Based on TI's CC430F6137 MCU, the microCANARY monitors carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature levels and the user's heart rate in a convenient badge form factor for use in potentially dangerous environments such as mines, breweries and laboratories. Additionally, Carlos Cossio of Cantabria, Spain received third place for his Flower Power entry based on the MSP430F2013 MCU. Flower Power showcases an LCD timer that is powered by bioelectric energy harvested directly from potted plants. The design demonstrates the ultra-low power features of MSP430 MCUs in energy harvesting applications.

In the contest, co-sponsored by electronic components distributor Avnet Electronics Marketing, contestants were able to show "how low they can go" by submitting video demonstrations ranging from practical everyday solutions to application-specific design concepts using the world's lowest-power MSP430 MCUs and development tools. Entries were judged equally on creativity, power efficiency and technical complexity by a panel of three judges to determine the best use of on-chip MSP430 MCU features.

About MSP430™ - The World's Lowest Power MCU

The ultra-low power MSP430 microcontroller platform of ultra-low power 16-bit RISC mixed-signal processors from TI provides the ultimate solution for a wide range of low power and portable applications. TI provides robust design support for the MSP430 microcontroller including technical documents, training, tools, and software. Learn more at www.ti.com/msp430 and www.ti.com/ulp

TI's broad portfolio of MCUs and software

From general purpose, ultra-low power MSP430 MCUs, to high-performance, real-time control TMS320C2000™ MCUs, and Stellaris® ARM® Cortex™-M3-based 32-bit MCUs, TI offers the broadest range of embedded control solutions. Designers can accelerate time to market by tapping into TI's complete software and hardware tools, extensive third-party offerings and technical support.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through design, sales and manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries. For more information, go to www.ti.com.

Trademarks

Stellaris is a registered trademark and Code Composer Studio, MSP430 and TMS320C2000 are trademarks of Texas Instruments Incorporated. ARM is a registered trademark and Cortex is a trademark of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.

SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated