Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 10
MSP430 Microcontroller:
A Green Technology
Mala Mitra
PES School of Engineering, India
ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the architecture and function of a microcontroller, a device for system operation control
at micro-level, is briefed. The need for a low power microcontroller towards sustainability and greening
is stressed with various examples. The MSP430 Microcontroller, a product from Texas Instruments, is a
very low power microcontroller. The strategies adopted for MSP430 microcontroller power optimization
are explained. Some emerging trends for further power optimization are also given. All the concepts are
introduced in a simple manner with suitable analogies so that it can be understood by a reader with a
different expertise.
INTRODUCTION
should be able to sense it. Then it should send a
control signal that reduces the electrical power
delivered to the heater element. The efficiency
of a controller is decided by: (i) its speed. How
quickly it brings back the desired temperature?
(ii) its accuracy. What minimum temperature
deviation it can sense and control? (iii) its control
type. The control should not create a temperature
oscillation. If the first control brings the tempera-
ture below 1000 and the second control shoots
up the temperature above 1000 and if oscillation
What is a microcontroller? The name itself is self
explanatory. Microcontroller (Mazidi, 2006) is a
tiny integrated circuit chip that controls a system
operation at the micro-level. For example, a micro-
controller can be used to control the temperature of
a furnace (Bogush 2006). Say, a furnace needs to
be maintained at 1000 degree centigrade. When the
temperature goes above 1000 the microcontroller
