Microcontrollers

Some clear trends in the microcontroller market make themselves evident in the Application Spotlight section of this FTM. In particular, the high end of the market is becoming a more and more attractive place for the microcontroller user. High-performance 32-bit parts supporting multiple peripherals and interfaces are now available at lower prices than ever before, benefiting from the manufacturing cost reductions made possible by Moore’s Law. This Application Spotlight, for instance, features Freescale Semiconductor’s MCF5227x, a highly capable device which even boasts an on-chip touchscreen controller. In fact, Freescale is particularly actively supporting the migration from 8-bit to 32-bit microcontrollers with its Flexis™ family. As the Design Note on page 12 and Application Spotlight article below show, designers using Flexis devices can easily port code from an 8-bit microcontroller to a pin-compatible 32-bit ColdFire® device.

High-end microcontroller users are also benefiting from a proliferation of products running standard architectures such as ARM or MIPS. These controllers provide an escape route from dependence on a sole-source supplier, as well as easing the porting of code from one device or project to another. This is reflected in this Application Spotlight in the LPC23xx and LPC24xx families of ARM7 products from NXP Semiconductor. Even lower-specification devices are becoming loaded with more useful features – the PIC24FJ256GB1xx in this issue boasts USB connectivity in addition to the normal UART, I2C and SPI ports. In summary, it is a great time to be a embedded engineer – semiconductor vendors even provide free compilers and on-chip emulation to reduce design costs. For any help in choosing or using one of the huge variety of microcontrollers on the market, just turn to your local branch of Future Electronics, where one of our team of Field Applications Engineers will be pleased to help.

---

 

 

Freescale Flexis AC, ideal for demanding industrial applications

The Flexis™ AC family of MCUs from Freescale semiconductor, comprising 8- and 32-bit compatible devices with robust EMC/EMI performance, are ideal for appliance and industrial control applications. This is the latest family within the successful 8- & 32-bit compatible Flexis series of MCUs.

Freescale's Flexis™ AC family features 8-bit and 32-bit V1 ColdFire® MCUs, supporting from 16kB up to 256kB Flash Memory. The new devices have been designed to provide exceptional EMC/EMI performance and feature an array of on-chip peripherals to help reduce component count, system complexity and overall system cost. The Flexis AC peripherals are particularly well suited for industrial motor control applications.

The 8-bit MC9S08AC family features three Timer Processing Modules (TPM) capable of PWM generation. In addition the 32-bit MCF51AC family integrates the new 16-bit FlexTimer module that supports complex motor-control functionality.

The primary advantage of the 32-bit MCF51AC family is that it has the performance and throughput to handle sophisticated motor-control algorithms while simultaneously driving touch-screen user interfaces based on Freescale's proximity sensing software to drive HMI. The ColdFire MCUs also feature a controller area network (CAN) bus for network connectivity.

Both the 8- and 32-bit Flexis AC parts feature a rich range of peripherals including multiple serial communications controllers, timers, analogue functionality and built-in system protection. The Flexis AC family delivers a powerful range of MCUs and further builds on the capability of the Flexis series on offer today.

The Flexis JM family features USB which is replacing older serial communications standards in many applications. The 8-bit JM family has an integrated USB2.0 device controller, whilst the 32-bit JM family offers additional flexibility by integrating a USB2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) controller.

The Flexis QE family, which was the first family within the Flexis series, is targeted at Ultra-Low- Power (ULP) applications which includes battery operated and portable applications across many market segments. The QE family delivers industry-leading power consumption. All of Freescale Flexis families offer 8- and 32-bit pin and peripheral compatibility as well as common tool suites to enable quick and easy evaluation of the family and a smooth design effort.

 

FEATURES Compatible with 8- and 32-bit High-performance Flash memory Robust EMC/EMI performance Up to 24-channel x 12-bit ADC with two comparators Multiple serial communications controller Multiple package options

APPLICATIONS Motor controls HVAC systems Domestic appliances Control and measurement equipment

 

 

The DEMOJM is available to members of the Future Board Club. To apply for the development board, and membership of the Board Club, go to www.my-boardclub.com/manf-offers.htm This offer is free and subject to qualification.

 

Freescale Semiconductor / Flexis AC series