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Welcome to the July 2006 edition of MicroController
Pros Corporation's Embedded News Digest, your source for microcontroller and
embedded system news.
-
New product
additions at the MicroControllerShop:
ARM:
USB
Jtag In-Circuit Debugger and Programmer with trace function. The
popular J-Link from Segger is now available with trace.
Philips LPC2294 (ARM) Board with 8MB SRAM, 4MB Flash, Ethernet, CAN, 2x
RS232, SD/MMC card reader.
Atmel AT91SAM7X256 (ARM) Board with 128x128 TFT color LCD, Ethernet, USB,
2x RS232, SD/MCC card reader, audio in and out, joystick.
Cirrus Logic EP9301 (ARM9) Board with Ethernet, 2x USB, 2xRS232, SD/MMC
card Reader
Ethernet:
DM9000E Ethernet Controller Header Board, allows you to easily add a
Davicom DM9000E 10/100 Ethernet controller to your project.
- Please help us to spread the word about this free
microcontroller news source.
Let your friends, colleagues or customers know about the Embedded News Digest.
This month's issue:
Atmel Corporation announced the industry's first 8-bit RISC
Flash microcontroller to be qualified for operation up to +150 degrees Celsius
(AECQ100 Grade 0).
Already available in -40 to +125 degrees Celsius operating
temperature range, the ATmega88 AVR microcontroller is now capable of
withstanding automotive temperature extremes, thus allowing designers to
distribute intelligence and control functions directly into gearboxes, engine
sensors and actuators, transfer cases, turbochargers, and finally simplifying
the wiring network.
The ATmega88 device integrates a high number of features, thus
significantly reducing complete system chip count. This includes an embedded
8-Kbyte Flash program memory and 512-byte EEPROM, a variable gain amplifier, a
10-bit analog-to-digital converter, a fast analog comparator, and an on-chip
calibrated 8 MHz RC oscillator, avoiding the need for an external crystal. Other
on-chip features such as a Power-on-Reset, a Brown-out-Detector and a watchdog
with dedicated oscillator also contribute to the overall system reliability.
The ATmega88 150-degree compliant samples are available now in
32-pin QFN package. Production will start in Q1 2007. By the end of 2006, the
8-pin ATtiny45 with 4-Kbyte Flash memory will be sampled in -40 to +150 degrees
Celsius temperature range also.
Atmel Introduces
Four New Single-Cycle Core 8051 MCUs
Atmel Corporation announced the introduction of four new
14-pin and two new 16-pin microcontrollers based on the Atmel 8051 single-cycle
core. Atmel's single-cycle core architecture executes each byte fetch in a
single clock cycle resulting in 70 percent of all instructions being executed in
a single clock cycle. Compared to the traditional 8051 devices, this can either
increase performance up to 12 times or reduce power consumption by up to 80
percent.
Low-pincount microcontrollers have emerged as a fundamental
building block of many general-purpose applications. The AT89LP213/413,
AT89LP214/414 and AT89LP216/416 devices are cost-effective 8-bit
microcontrollers ideal for applications requiring not only low pincount, but low
power and high performance in a small footprint. These new microcontrollers
reduce system cost with a variety of on-chip features, enabling faster
time-to-market for products such as white goods, remote controls, smart sensors
and disposable electronic products.
The AT89LP214 and AT89LP213 have 2 Kbytes of In-system
Programmable Flash whereas the AT89LP414 and AT89LP413 have 4 Kbytes of Flash.
The 16-pin versions are the AT89LP216 and AT89LP416, which have 2 and 4 Kbytes
of Flash memory respectively. These devices come with a rich feature set which
includes on-chip debug, on-chip hardware multiplier, Pulse Width Modulation,
analog comparator, internal RC oscillator and 12 general-purpose I/Os for
application use.
The devices achieve a 20 MIPS throughput when running at 20
MHz and consume very low power when running at a lower frequency. Typical power
consumption in 3.6V active mode at 1 MHz is 1.1 mA and less than 0.45 mA in idle
mode. They can operate down to 2V at 10 MHz and 2.4V at 20 MHz.
The AT89LP214 and AT89LP213 are available in 14-pin TSSOP and
PDIP packages while the AT89LP216 is available in 16-pin TSS0P, SOIC and PDIP
packages. The 10,000-unit price is $0.87 for AT89LP214 and AT89LP213, and $0.91
for AT89LP216. Samples for AT89LP414, AT89LP413 and AT89LP416 will be available
in Q4 2006.
Freescale
Introduces New Chip Packaging Technology
Freescale Semiconductor has unveiled an innovation that they expect could
replace BGA and flip chip as the dominant packaging and assembly approach for
advanced, highly integrated semiconductors.
Redistributed Chip Packaging (RCP) technology offers unmatched flexibility and
integration density -- characteristics that help deliver 30 percent smaller
packaged semiconductor solutions versus traditional BGA technology.
RCP integrates semiconductor packaging as a functional part of the die and
system solution. It addresses some of the limitations associated with previous
generations of packaging technologies by eliminating wire bonds, package
substrates and flip chip bumps. In addition, RCP does not utilize blind vias or
require thinned die to achieve thin profiles. These advancements simplify
assembly, lower costs, and provide compatibility with advanced wafer
manufacturing processes utilizing low-k interlayer dielectrics.
The technology is easily adapted for 3G mobile phones and a broad range of
consumer, industrial, transportation and networking devices that can benefit
from the consolidation of electronic components into a single, miniaturized
system.
RCP's exceptional flexibility makes it a virtually universal package technology
that is applicable across a large number of applications and materials. It is
compatible with advanced assembly technologies such as System in Package (SiP),
Package on Package (PoP), and integrated cavity packages.
Using RCP and PoP technology, Freescale has fabricated a radio-in-package that
measures less than 25 x 25 millimeters. The radio-in-package contains all of the
electronics required for a 3G mobile phone including memory, power management,
baseband, transceiver and RF front-end modules.
Lead-free and RoHS compliant, RCP meets reliability standards for commercial and
industrial applications. Development and tests are in progress for automotive
applications.
Freescale expects products utilizing RCP technology will be available by 2008.
Freescale intends to use RCP initally in its highly integrated wireless product
families.
Freescale Introduces 32-bit Microcontrollers with 8-bit Compatibility
Freescale has announced the new ColdFire V1 core, designed to provide 32-bit
performance with the ease-of-use of an 8-bit microcontroller at a price point
that won't give traditional 8-bit designers sticker shock.
The 68K/ColdFire V1 core will provide the engine for the industry's first 32-bit
devices that are compatible with 8-bit -- allowing easy migration between
architectures. Products based on the V1 core will use the same peripheral
modules and development tools as products based on the S08 architecture,
providing upward compatibility and simplifying application design.
Freescale's 68K/ColdFire V1 core and 8-bit S08 architecture will share a common
set of tools, starting with the CodeWarrior 6.0 development studio. The
CodeWarrior toolset makes programming the 32-bit 68K/ColdFire architecture as
simple and straightforward as programming an 8-bit microcontroller.
The full set of ColdFire architecture registers are built into the 68K/ColdFire
V1 core, and it supports the same programming model as the 68K/ColdFire V2-V4
cores. The V1 core uses the S08 bus structure, which enables the use of similar
peripheral and memory modules. For package pin compatibility, the V1 uses the
S08's single-pin background debug mode to create simple interface configuration.
Freescale intends to introduce multiple products based on the 68K/ColdFire V1
core throughout 2007. Freescale anticipates products based on the V1 core will
be priced within approximately 20 percent of their 8-bit products with
comparable features.
Microchip Offers Advanced IP Security Features on 16-bit PICs
Microchip Technology announced that its dsPIC digital signal controllers and
PIC24H microcontrollers are the world's first 16-bit devices with advanced
security features that allow multiple parties in a collaborative system design
to share the memory, interrupts and peripherals of a single chip without
compromising their intellectual property (IP). This memory segmentation reduces
system costs for OEMs and their design partners by eliminating the need to store
programs on separate chips.
CodeGuard security can eliminate collaboration and security concerns by enabling
OEMs to divide and share three segments of on-chip memory with tiered levels of
security: the Boot Segment, Secure Segment and General Segment. This
segmentation allows design houses or algorithm vendors to protect proprietary
software in secure memory segments while permitting a range of applications to
access algorithm operation from other segments. Additionally, CodeGuard
security, coupled with Microchip’s low-cost encryption software libraries,
enables secure field upgrades of product firmware. These secure field updates of
firmware can be improved by decrypting the incoming data stream entirely within
a secure segment's resources.
Advanced implementation of CodeGuard security is available today, at no
additional charge, on all PIC24H MCUs and all dsPIC33 DSCs, as well as the
dsPIC30F5011/5013 and dsPIC30F6010A/11A/12A/13A/14A/15.
Microchip Introduces Two New 20-pin PICs
Microchip Technology announced two new 20-pin 8-bit PIC microcontrollers. The
PIC16F631 provides a cost-effective entry point for migration from 8- and 14-pin
devices, while the PIC16F677 brings affordable hardware I2C & SPI capability
to the small Flash microcontroller market.
The new microcontrollers are an extension of the PIC16F685/687/689/690 series,
and can be used as drop-in replacements for their more feature-rich
counterparts. Both devices employ
the following features: nanoWatt Technology for minimum power consumption in
battery-powered applications; dual analog comparators with S/R latch mode to
eliminate the need for discrete components; and In-Circuit Serial Programming
technology for field programmability.
The new PIC16F631/677 microcontrollers possess up to 3.5 Kbytes of Program
Flash, up to 128 bytes of RAM, internally generated clock frequencies from 31
kHz to 8 MHz, and up to 18 I/O pins. The PIC16F677 adds a 12-channel, 10-bit A/D
Converter, plus SPI and I2C support with Address Mask option. The two new
devices are supported by the full suite of Microchip's development tools.
The PIC16F631 and PIC16F677 microcontrollers are now for general sampling and
volume production in RoHS-compliant 20-pin PDIP, SOIC, SSOP and QFN packages.
Prices start at $0.94 each in 10,000-unit quantities.
Ramtron Launches Design Contest for First FRAM-Enhanced 8051 MCU
Ramtron International Corporation is holding a VRS51L3074 Design Contest,
introducing design engineers to the first 8051-based microcontroller with
nonvolatile FRAM memory.
The contest runs from July 26, 2006 to November 1, 2006. It will take place in
four regions –- the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Japan -- with one grand
prize and five runner-up prizes per region, for a total of $20,000 in prizes.
Contestants must make submissions to the region of their residence only. Designs
will be judged on technical merit, originality, usefulness and design
optimization. For complete contest rules and submission forms, please visit
http://www.ramtron.com/contest, or email designcontest@ramtron.com.
To participate, contestants must purchase a VersaKit-30xx development system
from their local Ramtron distributors at a discounted contest price of $49
instead of $99. Kits will be available to contestants for $49 from July 26, 2006
to September 29, 2006. The VersaKit-30xx facilitates system prototyping and
design development with the VRS51L3074 and ships complete with development
board, Versa JTAG programming/debugging interface, demo programs, and the
software, C compiler, assembler and documentation required to develop with the
VRS51L3074 MCU.
STMicroelectronics
Announces Four New ST10 MCUs
STMicroelectronics announced four new advanced 16-bit microcontrollers at
the top of their ST10 family (ST10F27x). The new MCUs offer up to 832 kBytes of
embedded Flash memory and up to 68 kBytes of RAM, plus other enhancements, while
maintaining upward hardware and software compatibility with earlier devices,
such as the ST10F168 and ST10F269. The family combines embedded Flash and the
-40 to +125 degrees C temperature range.
The new ST10F271, ST10F272, ST10F273 and ST10F276 provide a range of Flash
memory densities from 128 to 832 kBytes - total linear address space for code and data is
16 MBytes.
The ST10 CPU, with a clock speed of up to 64
MHz, offers single-cycle context switching and
an interrupt controller with 16 priorities and 56 sources. The DSP-MAC
accelerator provides powerful DSP functions with fast and easy implementation of
custom algorithms, and is supported by a comprehensive mathematical library.
The devices operate over the
-40 to +125 degrees C temperature range and with a
single 5V power supply, providing 5V I/O levels. Internally, an on-chip 1.8V
voltage regulator supplies the CPU core and logic. Memory protection guards
against software piracy.
On-chip peripherals include an I2C interface, real-time clock with a 32kHz
on-chip oscillator and 24 channels A/D
converter. The combination of multiple Input Capture and Compare module,
4-channel PWM unit, 10-bit ADC, Peripheral Event Controller, digital I/Os and
dual CAN 2.0B interfaces are a perfect fit for industrial applications such as
inverter control.
All the new MCUs are produced in both the LQFP144 20x20mm package and the
PQFP144 28x28mm package. The ST10F273 and ST10F276 are in volume production now, while
the ST10F271 and ST10F272 are sampling now with volume production planned for Q3
2006. The ST10F27x family is also available and qualified for automotive
applications with specific automotive part numbers.
Prices for the LQFP144 devices range from $9.30 (ST10F271, 128KB Flash) to
$14.85 (ST10F276, 832KB Flash) in quantities of 10,000; PQFP144 devices are
priced at $9.85 (ST10F271) to $15.63 (ST10F276), also in quantities of 10,000.
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.
The
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.
copyright 2006 by
MicroController Pros Corporation
visit our web
http://www.ucpros.com
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