Freescale 8 b Auto MCUs Target Asian Entry-Level Vehicle Markets
November 24, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
Freescale Semiconductor expanded its 8 b automotive microcontroller (MCU) portfolio with the introduction of an S08 MCU family designed for entry-level instrument clusters and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) controls.
Featuring an integrated liquid crystal display (LCD) driver, the new 8 b S08LG32 MCUs provide a cost-effective tool for LCD-based body applications in value-line vehicles popular in emerging markets, such as India and China, Freescale said.
The devices can be used in entry-level automobiles, as well as two-/three-wheeled vehicles including motorcycles and scooters.
The Freescale S08LG32 family includes five automotive-qualified 5 volt (V) devices that offer a range of flash memory sizes (up to 32 KB) and package options scaling from 48 to 80 pins. The on-chip LCD driver supports display with up to 296 segments (8 x 37 or 4 x 41 LCD configuration).
S08LG32 MCU family features include:
- Up to 40 MHz HCS08 central processing unit (CPU) core.
- Up to 32 KB on-chip dual flash.
- Up to 2 KB on-chip random access memory (RAM).
- 8 b modulo timer (MTIM) with configurable clock inputs.
- Two serial communication interface (SCI) modules.
- Up to 16-channel 12 b resolution successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
- One internal clock source (ICS); precision trimming of internal reference allows 0.2% resolution and 2% deviation over temperature and voltage.
- One serial peripheral interface (SPI) module.
- One inter-integrated circuit (I2C) module.
- LCD driver, configurable up to 8 x 37 or 4 x 41; active in lowest power mode; all LCD pins are multiplexed with general-purpose I/Os (GPIOs).
- One 2-channel and one 6-channel timer/pulse-width modulator (TPM), which can drive stepper motors.
- Real-time background debug mode (BDM) with in-circuit emulation (ICE).
- Up to 69 standard GPIOs.
- Eight keyboard interrupts (KBI) and one interrupt request (IRQ) with selectable polarity.
- 8 b real time counter (RTC) with low-power operation and wake-up.
- Two temperate range options: -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius and -40 degrees Celsius to +105 degrees Celsius.
The 8 b MCUs are designed to deliver enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance, Freescale said.
The LG32 MCU family can be used for cost-sensitive instrument cluster applications in entry-level vehicles, which account for more than 80% of the total vehicle market in India.
"With the introduction of the LG32 family, Freescale is addressing strong customer demand in India and China for 5 V LCD MCUs targeting cluster and HVAC applications in entry-level vehicles," said Kevin Klein, global marketing manager of automotive MCUs at Freescale.
"The LG32 provides automotive developers in emerging markets with a much needed automotive-grade 8 b alternative to help drive down vehicle cost while helping to ensure quality and reliability," Klein said.
The MC9S08LG32 family leverages and expands on the suite of hardware and software development tools available for the S08 families. The CodeWarrior development tool suite and a range of third-party development software tools are available for application development.
Freescale plans to offer MC9S08LG32 family demonstration boards and instrument cluster reference designs in 2Q 2009.
Initial samples of the S08LG32 MCUs are available now to selected automotive customers. General market support is planned to be available in 2Q 2009.
Source: Freescale Semiconductor Inc.