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Dear Reader,
welcome to the September 2005 edition of MicroController
Pros Corporation's Embedded News Digest, your source for microcontroller and
embedded system news.
This month's issue:
Atmel Releases Deterministic ARM7 MCUs with Ethernet, CAN, USB, Encryption
Atmel has released the industry's first two ARM7-based, Flash
MCUs with embedded 10/100 Ethernet MAC, CAN, full-speed USB 2.0 and a high-speed
AES/3DES encryption engine. Designed for extensively networked, real-time
embedded systems, the AT91SAM7X128 and AT91SAM7X256 also have a 10-bit ADC, two
SPIs, SSC, TWI, three UARTs, an 8-level priority interrupt controller, and a
full complement of supervisory functions. The two new 50 MIPS MCUs have 32/64
kBytes of SRAM and 128/256 kBytes of 25 ns Flash memory that supports
deterministic processing as required for real-time control systems.
A peripheral DMA controller (PDC) connects each SAM7X peripheral directly to
on-chip memory, allowing high throughput data transfers without any processor
overhead. Conventional ARM processors, which require the CPU to transfer the
data one byte at a time, exhaust 55% of their processing resources at just 2
megabits per second (Mbps) and 100% of it at 4 Mbps. Higher data rates are not
possible. In contrast, the SAM7X expends just 2% of its cycles at 4 Mbps and
only 4% of its cycles at 10 Mbps.
By allowing data streams to be encrypted/decrypted in hardware and assisted by
DMA, the SAM7X offers 80 Mbps AES encryption throughput, which is 20x faster
than a software implementation. The encryption and decryption data rate for DES
is 32.8 Mbps, with triple DES at 20 Mbps.
Configurable in full- or half-duplex modes, the SAM7X EMAC has programmable
interpacket gap, support for virtual-LAN tagged frames and automatic-pause frame
generation and termination. A dual-mode interface offers seamless Media
Independent Interface for a large selection of PHYs in Fast Ethernet
applications, or a Reduced Media Independent Interface which uses less I/O.
SAM7X MCUs can be interfaced directly with POS-PHY Level 2/SPI-3-compliant
devices, including standard network processors. Lossless flow control via
on-chip system buffers eliminates the need for external memory or flow-control
mechanisms. Jumbo frames of up to 10240 bytes are supported.
Atmel has given the ARM7 core deterministic processing by adding 25 ns Flash NVM
(128 or 256 kBytes) that allows the processor to fetch instructions directly
from Flash with no performance penalty, thus eliminating the need for code
shadowing, and providing predictable instruction execution suitable for control
applications.
SAM7X processors have a comprehensive suite of real-time peripherals and
supervisory functions that include an 8-level priority interrupt controller,
brownout detection, power-on-reset, single-supply voltage, watchdog timer,
real-time clock, and RC oscillator.
The AT91SAM7X128 is available now in a 100-lead LQFP green package for $7.20 in
quantities of 10,000. The AT91SAM7X256 comes in a 100-lead LQFP green package
for $8.65.
Maxim Introduces
New Mixed-Signal Microcontroller
Maxim Semiconductor has introduced the MAXQ3120, a mixed-signal
microcontroller with integrated precision analog functions. The MAXQ3120 has two
16-bit sigma-delta A/D converters, each with independently programmable gain
amplification. This microcontroller also integrates a digitally trimmable RTC,
an LCD controller supporting up to 112 segments, and a single-cycle MAC module.
The device is suited for analog applications such as electricity metering,
medical instruments, portable data acquisition, weight scales, industrial
sensors, and controls.
The MAXQ3120 approaches 1 MIPS per MHz with a single-cycle execution, 16-bit
RISC core. It uses an intelligent clock-management scheme that minimizes digital
switching noise. Its integrated single-cycle MAC module provides a powerful
signal processing function for the microcontroller. The integration of high
performance signal-processing capability and low digital noise enables the
MAXQ3120 to acquire analog signals with high precision, and then process them
using only a small fraction of its clock-input bandwidth.
The MAXQ3120 takes only about 2.7 MIPS (or 33% of a 8MHz input clock) to process
and manipulate all the data in a multifunction single-phase electricity meter.
In this short interval, both voltage and current inputs are digitized into two
streams of 16-bit values, while the active and reactive energies and the voltage
channel's RMS value are computed at every data conversion. This activity still
leaves 5.3 MIPS for other tasks. The remaining 5.3 MIPS is equivalent to the
full speed of most popular 20MHz, 4-cycle microcontrollers. MAXQ3120 also allows
a customized low-pass filtering to be applied in order to optimize the ADC
output for its target application.
MAXQ cores (including the MAXQ20 in the MAXQ3120 microcontroller) distribute
clocks only to the paths where the clock is needed, thus achieving much lower
switching noise compared to other architectures.
The MAXQ3120 is packaged in an 80-pin MQFP, and operates over the -40 to +85
degrees C temperature range. MAXQ3120 reference designs are available to help
customers shorten design time-to-market. Prices start at $4.08 in 1000-unit
quantities.
Fujitsu
Introduces Next-Generation FlexRay 2.0 Controller
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe has announced the world's first FlexRay
controller featuring version 2.0 FlexRay IP developed by Robert Bosch GmbH.
Fujitsu's MB88121 delivers 10 Megabits per second over two channels. It provides
fault-tolerant, deterministic data transmission, which is suitable for engine
control, braking and steering subsystems.
The MB88121 is designed to complement all of the existing standard automotive
buses, including CAN and LIN, thereby protecting the investment made developing
legacy assets and sustaining the reliability of existing products.
The MB88121 can be connected directly to existing CPUs, enabling the development
of production systems that use a next-generation network while simultaneously
maximizing the performance of equipment already in the vehicle. Internal speeds
reach 80MHz, with a 4, 5, 8, 10MHz external oscillator or with external clock.
The chip's parallel interface affords a maximum frequency of 33MHz.
Production quantities of the MB88121 already are available in 64-pin LQFP,
priced at under $5 each. A 48-pin package is under development.
The FlexRay IP is being continually upgraded, and samples of the MB88121 that
comply with FlexRay protocol specification 2.1 will become available in November
2005. In addition, new products with enhanced microcontroller-based interfaces
are under development, with Fujitsu also expecting to deliver a FlexRay device
featuring its 32-bit FR core in 2006.
The new Fujitsu MB91270 series MCUs integrate an FR60lite
32-bit CPU core that features internal clock speeds up to 32 MHz. They support
CAN, a maximum of seven LIN channels which can be configured as SPI or UART, and
three channels of I2C.
The new MCUs are designed to deliver maximum processing power to the control
units that supervise vehicle airbag sensors, anti-lock braking systems, vehicle
air conditioners, and other safety and comfort systems. The MB91270 also
incorporates a 24-channel A/D converter for analog signal input from sensors,
and delivers the speed and overall performance required to manage 11 channels of
serial communications.
Each is designed for high compatibility with the Fujitsu MB90340A series of
16-bit microcontrollers, allowing engineers to use the same basic circuit board
design when developing new control units that requires higher CPU performance.
The MB91270 series includes the MB91F272, which has both a main and a sub clock,
and the MB92F1272S, which includes only a main clock. The devices, packaged in
100-pin, low-profile QFPs, are available now in sample quantities for under
$8.85 each.
Fujitsu Introduces Three New High-Performance, 8-bit Microcontrollers
The MB95F136H, MB95F128H, and MB95F118H high-performance 8-bit MCUs are the
latest additions to the Fujitsu F2MC-8FX family.
All three new microcontrollers are designed for use with 5V single power
supplies, and each also can be used with 3V supplies. The devices have been
designed to function at a wide range of voltages in order to accommodate a wide
range of power-supply designs.
The 28-pin MB95F136H is meant to function as a sub-microprocessor in home
appliances. It incorporates 32 kBytes of Flash memory and 1 kByte RAM, along
with an 8-channel, 10-bit A/D converter; eight external interrupts input; and a
maximum of 19 I/O ports. The device supports two channels of either UART, LIN or
SIO interfaces.
The 100-pin MB95F128H is designed for use as a primary controller for
applications that have display features. It includes 60 kBytes Flash and 2
kBytes RAM on board, along with support for LIN, UART and I2C interfaces. The
device incorporates Fujitsu's proprietary dual-operation Flash memory with two
memory banks, which can access the same Flash memory to read data for the
program execution and to write data to storage like an EEPROM. This
dual-operation memory architecture reduces part counts and the total circuit
board footprint.
The MB96F128H includes the features of the MB95F128H, and adds 12 channels of
10-bit A/D, along with up to 12 external interrupts and as many as 86 I/O ports.
This device supports three channels of either UART, LIN or SIO interfaces.
The MB95F118H provides 60 kBytes Flash and 2 kBytes RAM, with eight 10-bit A/D
channels and up to eight external interrupts. It supports three channels of
either UART, LIN or SIO interfaces.
The MB95F136H comes in a 28-pin SO package with prices starting at $4.50 each in
sample quantities. The MB95128H is available in 100-pin LQFP or in 100-pin QFP
at $7.25 each in sample quantities. The MB95F118H is packaged in a 48-pin QFP
with a sample quantity price of $5.45 each.
Maxim has introduced the MAX3420E 12Mbps USB
peripheral controller with SPI interface. This device integrates all the
necessary digital logic and analog circuitry to implement a full-speed USB
peripheral compliant to USB 2.0.
Functions integrated within the MAX3420 include a ±15kV ESD-protected USB
transceiver, a USB serial interface engine (SIE), endpoint buffer memory, an SPI
slave interface, and a 1.5 kΩ D+ pullup resistor. The integrated USB transceiver
features a programmable USB connect and disconnect, while the SIE handles
low-level USB protocol details such as automatic NAK until ready, bit stuffing,
CRC generation/checking, and bus retries.
The MAX3420E operates using a register set accessed by the SPI interface, which
operates up to 26MHz. Any SPI master (microprocessor, ASIC, DSP, etc.) can add
USB functionality using the simple 3- or 4-wire interface. A programmable
interrupt output can be used to reduce or eliminate microprocessor polling.
Integrated logic-level translators allow the SPI interface to operate at a
system voltage between 1.71V and 3.6V. Additionally, four general-purpose inputs
and outputs allow any microprocessor that uses I/O pins to implement the SPI
interface to reclaim those pins and gain additional ones.
The MAX3420E operates over the extended temperature range (-40 to +85 degrees
C). This device is available in 7mm x 7mm, 32-pin TQFP. A 4mm x 4mm, 24-pin TQFN
package is planned. Prices start at $2.65 in quantities of 1000.
Royal Philips Electronics has announced three new additions
to its LPC2000 microcontroller family: the LPC2101, the LPC2102 and the LPC2103.
Based on the ARM7TDMI-S architecture, the new LPC210x series can operate at
speeds up to 70 MHz (63 MIPs) -- 10 MHz faster than the current fastest LPC
series ARM MCUs on the market.
The new MCUs also feature Fast I/O capabilities, which allow bit-toggling at a
speed of 17.5 MHz -- four times faster than competing ARM MCUs on the market. In
addition, innovative power management features allow deep power-down mode
current consumption, with the real-time clock running, to be less than 10 µA.
On-board communication peripherals include two 16C550-compatible UARTs, two Fast
I2C-bus interfaces, two SPI/SSP interfaces, four timers with PWM capability and
a 10-bit ADC.
The new LPC210x MCUs will be available starting in November 2005.
The Rabbit 4000, like its predecessors, is
designed specifically for embedded control, communications, and Ethernet
connectivity. The new features include integrated 10Base-T Ethernet, DMA, 16-bit
memory device support, page-mode memory device support, and memory enhancements
with physical address space of up to 16 MB. It also features hardware security
features, hardware breakpoints, improved I/O, and variable-phase PWM.
Programming the Rabbit 4000 is accomplished simply by connecting an interface
cable from a PC to a Rabbit-based target system. Software development and
debugging can be performed over Ethernet/Internet using appropriate accessory
hardware or RabbitSys.
The Rabbit 4000 will be offered in two RoHS-compliant packages: 128-pin TQFP and
128-pin TFBGA. It will be available in production quantities in March 2006.
Renesas Technology has announced the 32-bit SuperH Family
SH7650 microprocessor, incorporating the industry's first DTCP-IP (Digital
Transmission Content Protection over Internet Protocol) compatible
encryption/decryption functions and an Ethernet controller, intended for use in
digital audiovisual and office automation devices with built-in network
functions.
The SH7650 offers DTCP-IP support and Ethernet connection in
a single chip, enabling secure network transfer of high-definition digital
content. An inter-device authentication function and content
encryption/decryption function are implemented by hardware and also by firmware
provided together with the SH7650. An IEEE802.3-compliant media access
controller is also incorporated, facilitating the development of a 10/100 Mbps
Ethernet LAN connection function. By this means it is possible to connect a user
device to an Ethernet, transfer digital content up to high definition resolution
encrypted in real time, and receive, decrypt, and use encrypted content, all
with a single SH7650 chip.
In addition, firmware performs DTCP-IP processing automatically when content is
transferred. This allows the user to treat such transfers as normal data
transfers without having to worry about DTCP-IP processing.
The SH7650 includes a PCI bus controller, so existing PC peripheral devices can
be used. In addition, an on-chip host interface (HIF) allows easy connection of
the SH7650 to another microprocessor. This function enables the SH7650 to be
recognized and controlled by a main microprocessor performing system control in
the same way as SRAM, allowing network-related function development to be
carried out independently, simplifying product development.
The SH7650 incorporates a 32-bit SH-2 CPU core, with processing power of 173
MIPS at a maximum operating frequency of 133 MHz. DTCP-IP compatible functions
provided in the SH7650 comprise a hardware encryption circuit block, plus
firmware for encryption circuit block and content data transfer control.
Sample shipments of the SH7650 will begin in November 2005 in Japan. The package
used is a 336-pin CSP (17 mm x 17 mm).
Sensory has released the RSC-464 integrated circuit as the
latest member of the RSC-4x family. It joins the RSC-4128, one of the most
widely deployed speech recognition ICs, in providing speech recognition,
synthesis and system control on a single chip.
The RSC-464 is a powerful general-purpose microcontroller inside a speech
recognition system-on-chip that includes 16-bit ADC, DAC, digital filter unit,
math unit, 4K RAM, 64K ROM, output amplification, timers, comparators and more.
Priced at under $1.10 each in production quantities, the RSC-464 can be used as
a replacement for existing microcontrollers, or as a slave for speech
recognition, voice biometrics, and speech and music playback. The slave approach
makes it easy to add to existing product designs with minimal changes to the
primary controller software.
A variety of technologies in Sensory's FluentChip2.0 firmware library runs on
the RSC-464, including speaker independent recognition (SI), speaker dependent
recognition (SD), speaker verification (voice password) biometrics, voice
record, speech compression/playback and MIDI-like music synthesis. This new
version of FluentChip offers new options for combining SI and SD in a single
command set, allowing for personalization that was never before possible.
Also available is a new technology that allows the RSC-464 to control mouth
movements of animated dolls so the movements appear naturally in time with
speech. All this makes it possible to create a product that "understands" speech
out of the box, can be trained to recognize a particular person's voice, and
also generates movements that make the product appear to be more natural and
lifelike.
Sensory's Quick T2SI (Text to Speaker Independent) Toolkit complements the
RSC-464, allowing for rapid creation of speaker independent command sets by
simply typing in the desired recognition vocabulary as text. The recognition set
of words or phrases can then be downloaded onto the included RSC-4x
Demo/Evaluation Board for quick prototype creation and testing. This process
yields a proven recognition set in a matter of minutes.
The ST7263B now adds a 32-kByte high-density Flash memory
variant to the existing 4-kByte, 8-kByte, and 16-kByte devices. For secure
applications, the user memory code can be locked using the read/write protection
feature. The family supports the Device Firmware Update class specification
which allows the Flash memory content to be upgraded through the USB line,
enabling new firmware to be downloaded directly from the Host to the USB product
for field upgrades of application software.
The USB interface embeds an internal 3.3V voltage regulator and a USB
transceiver, minimizing the need for external components. It supports low-power
modes through the Suspend and Resume operations, and the data exchange between
Host and the device is managed through three endpoints with In/Out
configuration. With its embedded asynchronous serial communication interface,
the ST7263B series can be used as a simple USB-to-serial bridge, useful for
stand-alone applications that occasionally need to interact and exchange short
messages with the host computer.
A broad range of package options is now available, including SO24, TQFP48 7x7mm,
SO34, and SDIP32, and devices can also be supplied in die form. Pricing is $1.99
in quantities of 10,000.
STMicroelectronics has announced a new series of 8-bit Flash
microcontrollers within the low-cost ST7Lite family which add new embedded
peripherals to the established ST7Lite feature set. The ST7FLITE3 MCUs introduce
an enhanced 12-bit auto-reload timer and a master/slave LINSCI asynchronous
interface into the 20-pin package.
The 12-bit timer offers four independent PWM output channels with programmable
Dead Time generation, intended for use in half-bridge driving mode in motor
control applications where PWM signals must not be allowed to overlap; a 2kHz to
4MHz frequency range; programmable duty cycles; polarity control; and
programmable output modes.
The embedded hardware LINSCI asynchronous serial interface will enable smooth
implementation of LIN bus applications. LINSCI is a hardware-enhanced SCI port
designed to simplify software design and to increase system performance by
reducing CPU overhead.
Other on-chip functions include an internal 1MHz oscillator, a 10-bit ADC with
op-amp, and a trimmable Reset circuit with low voltage detection. The 8 kByte
Extended Flash memory operates on a single power supply voltage.
The ST7FLITE3 is available now in 20-pin SO and DIP packages. Pricing is $1.30
in quantities of 10,000.
Texas Instruments has partnered with Airbee Wireless to
produce the free ZNS-Lite 4-node ZigBee-ready networking stack for the MSP430
platform.
Based on the MSP430F161x MCU with a Chipcon 802.15.4 radio for receiving and
transmitting, TI's reference design also includes an example application note
and PCB layout files. The software stack includes a "getting started" guide and
a programmer's reference manual. A full version of the Airbee ZNS software can
be purchased directly from Airbee.
ZigBee MSP430
Hardware evaluation boards, DZ1611/1612,
are available from the MicroControllerShop. The boards feature the ZNS-Lite
software pre-programmed on an MSP430F1611 or MSP430F1612 MCU, and also include a
Chipcon CC2420 transceiver and PCB antenna.
Microchip Technology's free ZigBee Protocol Stack version 3.3 now supports the
UBEC uz2400 ZigBee transceiver in addition to the Chipcon CC2420. The stack is
small enough to fit onto a 16 kByte microcontroller for node applications. Full
coordinator functions require 33.7 kBytes. There are no license or royalty fees
for incorporating Microchip's stack into end-user applications.
MicroController Pros Corporation (µCPros) is an authorized
distributor for many microcontroller tool vendors, which enables us to offer you
a large selection of Microcontroller Development Tools for almost any major
microcontroller architecture.
Our
MicroControllerShop (http://microcontrollershop.com) puts convenient and
secure online shopping, feature- and price-comparison on your computer's
desktop. Microcontroller Development Tools featured at the
MicroControllerShop
include: Emulators, EPROM programmers, FLASH programmers, microcontroller C-
compilers, assemblers, emulator accessories, pin adapters, pin converters,
microcontroller starter kits and embedded evaluation boards for various
microcontroller architectures and manufacturers.
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MicroController Pros Corporation
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