Microprocessors

Texas Instruments is aiming at smart metering with 46 low-power microcontrollers with up to 128kbyte of ferroelectric memory (FRAM) non-volatile memory, instead of flash, for low-power data storage. Part of the MSP430FR69xx family, the low-power theme is extended to including TI’s ‘extended scan interface’ (ESI) which autonomously manages and monitors four external sensors and is preticularly aimed at flow meters ...

The 68020 microprocessor will live on, with a new package, life thanks to a collaboration between Essex-based e2v and Freescale. It is now available in a 132pin ceramic quadpack (CERQUAD), pin-to-pin compatible with the original Freescale plastic quad flat package (PQFP). “This new package option will facilitate the transition from the original PQFP, discontinued in 2010, and enable manufacturers to ...

Toshiba Electronics is targeting smart metering designs with a ARM Cortex-M4F core-based microcontroller for making electric power calculation in meters, but which will also manage comms and display functions. The TMPM411F20XBG MCU also implements tamper detection and failure detection along with key security functions suitable for secure network communications. These include Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) and Entropy Source Generator (ESG). ...

Microchip has tuned its eXtreme Low Power (XLP) PIC microcontroller range with increased data protection capabilities. The MCUs integrate a hardware crypto engine, a Random Number Generator (RNG) and One-Time-Programmable (OTP) key storage  or protecting data in embedded applications. Several security features are integrated into the PIC24F “GB2” family, to protect embedded data. The fully featured hardware crypto engine, supporting the ...

The latest STM32 microcontrollers from STMicroelectronics are designed as low-voltage devices can operate from a 1.8V power supply, while allowing on-chip peripherals to operate from higher voltages such as 3.3V. “The combination of 1.8V digital supply voltage and independent analog domain is particularly strong where a wide analog dynamic range is required, or for connecting directly to USB devices,” said ...

NXP Semiconductors has added to its LPC range of microcontrollers designed for harsh operating conditions common in many industrial, lighting, and industrial automation applications. The LPC11E6x family is available in three memory and package variations, including up to 256kbyte flash, 36kbyte RAM and 4kbyte EEPROM. The ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontrollers integrate 2Msample/s, 12-channel, 12-bit ADC, I2C and SPI interfaces, USARTs and ...

IAR Systems has released an updated version of its development toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench for 16-bit HCS12 microcontrollers from Freescale. A new feature is the IAR C/C++ Compiler for HCS12 uses the ISO/IEC 9899:1999 standard, known as C99, as the default C language. Version 4.10 of IAR Embedded Workbench for HCS12 adds IAR Systems’ updated text editor and source browser. ...

Microchip has increased the number of analogue peripherals and added pin mapping to its general-purpose MCUs. “The PIC16F170x  – PIC16F171x family features core-Independent peripherals, such as the configurable logic cell [CLC], complementary output generator [COG] and numerically controlled oscillator [NCO].” said the firm. “These self-sustaining peripherals are designed to handle tasks with no code or supervision from the CPU to ...

Silica has introduced a development board in its ArchiTech range, which has been optimised for Linux based designs incorporating the Renesas RZ/A1H microcontroller. It has been optimised to have a small memory footprint together with a BSP (Board Support Package) for the on-board peripherals, minimising development time. The Linux distribution with Hachiko is Yocto compatible, and the distributor has ported GUI libraries to the distribution with ...

Freescale Semiconductor is bidding to widen the adoption of ARM Cotrex-based microcontrollers in automotive designs with its latest Kinetis series of microcontrollers. Intended for body electronics applications, Freescale makes great play of speeding up the design process and claims that it will be possible to develop “initial prototypes in as little as 24 hours, and potentially reduce research and development time by two weeks or ...