TI's proven Bluetooth solution now enables new product designs on MSP430 MCUs

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, SAN JOSE USA: Furthering its efforts to enable wireless connectivity technologies in portable designs, Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) has coupled its seventh-generation Bluetooth offering, the CC2560, with an embedded Bluetooth stack running on TI’s ultra-low power MSP430 microcontroller (MCU).

Two development kits, the EZ430-RF2560 development tool and PAN1315 evaluation module (EMK), are immediately available to new and existing customers for evaluations and upgrades. These development kits accelerate customers’ Bluetooth integration process from months to weeks, reduce design barriers associated with RF implementations, and place fully functional Bluetooth technology in customers’ hands within minutes of unpacking the development kits.

Designers today rely on the easy-to-use, ultra-low power MSP430 MCU to simultaneously interface to analog signals, sensors and digital components in a wide range of portable devices. Customers trust the CC2560 Bluetooth solution to provide best-in-class RF performance, running on the MCU, the unique flexibility to add future Bluetooth profiles as they emerge. Together, these technologies spark out-of-the-box Bluetooth applications in markets like medical, industrial, consumer electronics.

“We are excited to offer a customized Bluetooth solution for thousands of MSP430 customers that are looking to integrate connectivity technology in hundreds of new and existing embedded device markets,” said Doug Wilson, general manager of TI’s emerging connectivity solutions business. “The EZ430-RF2560 and PAN1315 EMK tools open the doors to a simplified development process and help customers easily add Bluetooth functionality to next-generation MSP430-based designs.”

Leveraging partnerships for continued market support
As with other TI-based projects, customers working with these new kits are granted full access to TI’s growing partner community. For example, Panasonic provides the Bluetooth connectivity module that includes the CC2560 solution.

“We are pleased to work with TI to deliver a powerful, highly flexible, cost-effective module to help push Bluetooth capabilities into new markets,” said Richard Trueman, RF Product Manager, Panasonic. “The PAN1315 is the newest addition to Panasonic’s ever-broadening line of RF modules. It makes connectivity between mobile devices – including cellular phones and small-button cell powered devices like sensors, watches, healthcare, entertainment and mobile accessories – to be easily implemented, creating a seamless data chain from sensors to the Web.”

MindTree provides its free Bluetooth software stack and SPP profile integrated in the MSP430 MCU. “This pre-integration of MindTree’s Bluetooth IP with TI’s products expands our already existing, multifaceted relationship with TI, and marks another milestone in our global Bluetooth technology leadership,” said Vinod P. Deshmukh, president and CEO, R&D services, MindTree.

“MindTree’s solutions are used in a variety of markets including headsets, handsets and automotive infotainment platforms, and today’s advancement will broaden that reach. We look forward to continued collaboration in introducing TI and MindTree’s Bluetooth technology to new customers.”

The EZ430-RF2560 development tool and PAN1315 EMK are available today for $99.