Analog and Digital Circuits for Electronic Control System Applications: Using the TI MSP430 Microcontroller
Today's control system designers face an ever-increasing "need for speed” and accuracy in their system measurements and computations. New design approaches using microcontrollers and DSP are emerging, and designers must understand these new approaches, the tools available, and how best to apply them.
This practical text covers the latest techniques in microcontroller-based control system design, making use of the popular MSP430 microcontroller from Texas Instruments.
The book covers all the circuits of the system, including:
· Sensors and their output signals
· Design and application of signal conditioning circuits
· A-to-D and D-to-A circuit design
· Operation and application of the powerful and popular TI MSP430 microcontroller
· Data transmission circuits
· System power control circuitry
Written by an experienced microcontroller engineer and textbook author, the book is lavishly illustrated and includes numerous specific circuit design examples, including a fully tested and documented hands-on project using the MSP430 that makes use of the principles described. For students, engineers, technicians, and hobbyists, this practical text provides the answers you need to design modern control systems quickly and easily.
* Seasoned Texas Instruments designer provides a ground-up perspective on embedded control systems
* Pedagogical style provides a self-learning approach with examples, quizzes and review features
* Accompanying companion website contains source code and more!
Why Read This Book
You should read this book if you need a hands‑on guide to building real measurement and control systems around a low‑power microcontroller: it walks you through sensors, signal conditioning, ADC/DAC design and practical MSP430 examples so you can take a system from sensor to digital data. The emphasis on circuit design and microcontroller peripheral use makes it especially valuable when you must integrate analog front‑ends with embedded code.
Who Will Benefit
Embedded/control engineers and technicians (early‑career to intermediate) designing sensor acquisition, data‑logging, and microcontroller‑based control systems who want practical circuit and MSP430 implementation guidance.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic electric circuits (ohm's law, op‑amps), familiarity with analog components and basic microcontroller programming (C or assembly) and fundamentals of sampling and signals.
Key Takeaways
- Design signal conditioning circuits (amplifiers, level shifters, filtering) tailored to common sensors.
- Specify and implement practical anti‑aliasing filters and ADC input networks for reliable sampling.
- Integrate and program the TI MSP430 ADC/DAC and peripheral interfaces for data acquisition tasks.
- Implement sensor interface and data transmission circuits (UART/SPI/I2C) for embedded systems.
- Apply power management and PCB layout considerations for mixed‑signal control hardware.
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Microcontroller‑Based Control Systems and MSP430 Overview
- Sensors and Transducers: Types and Output Characteristics
- Signal Conditioning: Amplifiers, Offset, and Impedance Matching
- Analog Filters and Anti‑Aliasing Design
- ADC Fundamentals and Practical Input Circuits
- DACs and Reconstruction Considerations
- MSP430 Architecture, Peripherals, and Development Environment
- Interfacing ADC/DAC with MSP430: Circuits and Firmware Examples
- Digital Communications: UART, SPI, I2C and Data Logging
- Control System Implementation and Real‑Time Considerations
- Power Supply Design, Grounding and PCB Layout for Mixed‑Signal Systems
- Design Examples and Case Studies
- Appendices: Component Selection, Reference Circuits, and Datasheets
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
More hands‑on and MSP430‑focused than general analog texts like The Art of Electronics; for embedded ADC/peripheral programming it's comparable in scope to vendor/MSP430 application notes or MSP430‑focused textbooks rather than DSP algorithm books.
