16 MHz MSP430 CPU16 — what the core speed means for your BOM
The 16 MHz ceiling sets the timing budget for the firmware loop. At that clock rate, a single-cycle instruction executes in 62.5 ns. For a UART bit-bang at 115200 baud, that gives about 138 core cycles per bit — comfortable margin. If your application needs tighter interrupt latency or higher throughput, the MSP430F2xx family offers faster parts, but for a 4 KB Flash footprint this speed is well matched to the code size.
That means TI is not actively promoting it for new projects, though it remains available for existing production runs. For a new BOM line, you would typically evaluate a current MSP430F2xx or MSP430G2xx device with similar Flash and RAM — the MSP430F2121IDGV (the industrial-temperature variant) is the same die in the same package, just with a different temperature suffix. If you are already shipping this part, the NRND flag is a signal to plan a qualification cycle for a drop-in or near-drop-in replacement before TI issues a last-time-buy notice.
20-TFSOP package — board footprint and thermal reality
The device is supplied in a 20-TFSOP package (0.173" body width, 4.40 mm) with a surface-mount footprint. No exposed thermal pad — all dissipation goes through the leads.