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New low cost devices broaden Infineon’s16-bit microcontroller portoflio

New low cost devices broaden Infineon’s16-bit microcontroller portoflio

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By eeNews Europe



The new products support industrial customers seeking to offer solutions over a wide performance and cost range using a common microcontroller platform. Claiming excellent real-time performance, high computing power and optimized peripherals, the new 16-bit devices further broaden the application bandwidth of the XE166 16-bit MCU family which reaches from low-cost to high-performance with the industry’s most scalable Real-Time Signal Controller portfolio.      

Many manufacturers of electric drives are adding variable speed systems to product portfolios in response to demand for improved energy efficiency. This applies both to low-cost consumer market producers and providers in the high-end segment that are looking to apply technological expertise in innovative solutions for the low-end segment with correspondingly high volumes. With its new XE16xL and XE16xU real-time signal controllers, Infineon is exactly addressing these needs, while the customers will benefit from a high degree of hardware and software reuse with significant cost savings.      

The new MCU series aim at cost-efficient motor control units (i.e. 3-phase BLDC motors) which, to date, have mostly been addressed by high-end 8-bit MCUs or low-end DSPs. Typical applications include solar inverters, low-end drives, intelligent sensors (factory and building automation), fitness equipment and home appliances, and low-cost blowers and fans. Performance-wise, the new devices extend Infineon’s 8-bit microcontroller family thanks to an efficient MAC unit for DSP operations, accompanied by a powerful peripheral set.      

Key features of the XE16xU and XE16xL derivates include a high DSP performance, a superfast 12-bit A/D converter with up to 19 channels and a conversion time below 1µs and an efficient capture/compare unit (CCU6) to drive any industrial 3-phase motor. The new low-end series from the XE166 family deliver a computing power of up to 80 MIPS, 32 KB to 160 KB embedded flash, up to 12 KB RAM and up to four universal serial interface channels (USICs) which can be configured as UART, LIN, SPI, IIC or IIS. The package offering comprises versions with 38, 48 and 64 pins. All family members of the XE16xU and XE16xL series are opcode and peripheral compatible and thus permit simple scalability and the re-use of existing software.      

The main differences between the XE16xL (L for low-end) and XE16xU (U for ultra-low-end) series are the maximum flash capacity (160KB vs. 64KB), the 12 bit A/D converter (up to 19 channels vs. 10 channels), PWM units (two vs. one) and USICs (up to four vs. two). What is more, the XE16xL microcontrollers feature a high-speed MultiCAN module with two nodes and 32 message objects.      

The new XE166 devices are supported by comprehensive development tools and software solutions, which include evaluation boards and application kits, debuggers, compilers and corresponding documentation. In order to provide an easy start for new customers, Infineon puts a specific focus on free development tools and related software.

A free complete tool chain including C compiler, debugger and Eclipse-based, easy-to-use Integrated Development Environment (IDE) has been developed in collaboration with Altium. Peripheral configuration software and low-level drivers can be created with DAvE (Digital Application Virtual Engineer). With the DAvE Drive auto-code generator it is possible to generate even the most complex motor control code automatically and quickly. In conjunction with customizable application kits, it is possible, for example, to generate the code for sensorless field-oriented control of a PMSM motor in just 15 minutes.      

Availability and Pricing      

Engineering samples of the new XE166xU and XE166xL series are available, with volume production scheduled for Q3 2011. The XE160FU (TSSOP-38), XE161FU (QFN-48), XE161FL (QFN-48) and XE162FL (QFP-64) are specified for an ambient temperature of -40 to 125 °C. Prices are planned to start below 1 Euro for volume orders. A complete tool chain to support the XE166 16-bit microcontroller family is available by Infineon and its partners. Easy Kits are also available at the Infineon distribution partners EBV, Arrow and Rutronik.      

More information about the XE166 Real-Time Signal Controller at  www.infineon.com/XE166     

Visit Infineon Technologies at www.infineon.com

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