Micros
MCUs improve safety for automotive chassis systems
Claimed to include the world's first automotive chassis MCUs that utilise a 40nm process, the RH850/P1x series of 32-bit MCUs utilise the Renesas-exclusive metal oxide nitride oxide silicon (MONOS) structure. This reduces power consumption and improves functional safety system development efficiency for electrical power steering, brake and other chassis systems.
Dual core MCUs enable scalability for smart metering
Suitable for residential, commercial and industrial metering applications, the SAM4C32, SAM4CMS32 and SAM4CMP32 dual core MCUs have been introduced by Atmel. The MCUs, which are pin-to-pin compatible with existing 512KB and 1MB devices in the Atmel SMART portfolio, feature 2MB of cache-enabled dual-bank flash and enable scalability and design-reuse for next-gen smart metering platforms.
Multi-protocol connectivity solutions enhance RX64M MCUs
Renesas and its Alliance Partner, port, have announced efficient multi-protocol connectivity solutions and the associated design tools for the RX64M MCUs. The PROFINET (CCA / CCB RT1), Ethernet/IP and CANopen software stacks have been ported to the 32-bit high-performance MCU group.
Capacitive sense MCU targets touch user interfaces
Boasting a sleep current as low as 55nA, the new C8051F97x microcontroller (MCU) family from Silicon Labs is based on a high-speed pipelined 8051 core that is enhanced with the addition of a single-cycle 16x16 Multiply Accumulate (MAC) unit. The family, which is available at Mouser Electronics, targets touch user interfaces with its capacitive sense interface, allowing the detection of virtual buttons, sliders, and wheels as well as proximity sen...
Processor core eases integration of IoT devices
Designed for low-power, connected intelligent devices, the APS23 processor core has been introduced by Cortus. Based on the company's v2 instruction set, the core improves efficiency, eases integration and lowers the total cost of ownership. The v2 instruction set reduces the size of the system's instruction memory, allowing the processor core to reduce embedded system power.
Non-volatile FRAM MCUs jump-start LCD-based designs
The introduction of the MSP430 MCU product family signals an expansion of Texas Instrument's portfolio of ultra-low-power MCUs with integrated LCD support on-chip. The MSP430 MCU family has been announced alongside the MSP-EXP430FR4133 LaunchPad rapid prototyping kit, providing all the advantages of non-volatile FRAM in a small memory footprint.
Firmware development framework supports all 32-bit PIC MCUs
Supporting all 32-bit PIC MCUs, Microchip has announced the full release of a flexible, abstracted, fully integrated firmware development platform. MPLAB Harmony version 1.0 takes key elements of modular and object-oriented design, providing a framework of software modules that are easy to use, configurable for specific design requirements and purpose-built to work together.
Atmel Announces ARM Cortex-A5-based MPUs Optimized for 720p Video Playback and Advanced Security Functions
At ARM TechCon 2014, Atmel Corporation announced the company has expanded its Atmel SMART portfolio with the SAMA5D4, a new series of high-performance microprocessors (MPUs) based on the ARMCortex-A5 processor. The SAMA5D4 offers OEMs seamless technology for Internet of Things (IoT), consumer and industrial applications including control panels, communication gateways, imaging terminals and more.
Flow meter reference design boosts accuracy
Energy and water metering can now be made more accurate by an order of magnitude says Maxim Integrated by using the MAXREFDES70# ultrasonic flow meter system. Its low power attributes mean it can operate for up to 20 years on a single “A”- size battery. It will see off the traditional mechanical flow meters prone to friction and contaminants, which causes inaccurate meter readings.
Evaluation kit targets ultra low power designs
An evaluation kit that supports Texas Instruments MSP30FR5969 microcontroller is now in stock at Mouser Electronics. It provides a simple user interface through on-board buttons and LEDs, and includes a 0.1mF super capacitor (SuperCap) that allows standalone applications to operate without an external power supply.