MPUs & MCUs
TMPM380 ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller – the first Cortex-M3 device to feature a single 5V operation - can help save hardware costs and provide flexibility for developers to establish a common hardware platform for a family of products offering a range of features and capabilities. Alternatively, the TMPM370 family (Figure 2) combines proprietary PMD3+ programmable motor driver technology, a vector engine (VE) and 12-bit ADC functionality. The PMD hardware executes a
Figure 2. Toshiba TMPM370
microcontroller block diagram
implemented in emerging generations of embedded MCUs. Toshiba Electronics, for instance, has
developed a number of MCU families using this core including devices optimised for domestic appliances. These provide designers with a choice of software-based motor control - taking advantage of the core’s increased processing capabilities in partnership with integrated PWM and timer peripherals - or hardware Programmable Motor Drive (PMD) blocks that completely offload motor control computations from the CPU. The PMD also saves significant software development time and effort. Where there is sufficient processing
power to host software-based motor control without compromising other software-based functions, Toshiba’s
DaVinci video processor now offers full HD video
Texas Instruments (TI) has extended the range of its DM36x DaVinci generation of portable encoding solutions to now support full HD 1080p H.264 encoding with the new TMS320DM368 video processor. The DM368 is suited for many video-based applications, including HD video cameras, real-time digital video recorders (DVRs), HD video communications systems and digital signage.
Customers will also be able to benefit
from a more than 40 percent boost in ARM performance enabling advanced application programming interfaces (APIs) for high definition (HD) video processing and sophisticated user experiences. The DM368 provides multi-format HD
video, including VC1, MPEG2, MPEG4, MJPEG and H.264 up to 1080p at 30 frames per second (fps) encoding. Multi-format decode, multi-rate multi-stream and HD multi-channel are also supported. Audio, speech and other HD video codecs are available for the DM368 to allow greater flexibility and decreased design complexity. Because the DM368 is pin-to-pin and
software compatible enabling a full line of products from D1, 720p and up to 1080p 30 with TI’s TMS320DM365 DaVinci video processor, it allows TI customers to build scalable product lines that support a variety of codecs and leverage their DM365 investments to accelerate their design cycle and time-to-market.
www.cieonline.co.uk
Features and benefits:
ARM926EJ-S core delivers a more than 40 percent boost – up to 432 MHz – while offloading the video encode/decode functions to the integrated HD video accelerators for optimal system performance.
Integrated peripherals (EMAC, USB 2.0 Phy, 16-bit DDR2, 16 KHz voice codec, real time clock and three 10-bit DACs) for smaller board size and system cost savings of more than 20 percent.
Royalty free, production-ready, standalone audio and speech codecs (MP3, WMA, AAC LC, G.711, and an acoustic echo canceller) and multi-format, multi-rate, multi-stream HD video with royalty free video codecs (H.264, MPEG- 2, MPEG-4 JPEG, and VC1/WMV9) to decrease design complexity and accelerate time-to-market.
Extended temperature versions available for the DM368 processor, as well as the DM365 processor, allowing a temperature range of minus 40°C to 85°C.
Texas Instruments |
www.ti.com
complete sensorless field-oriented control algorithm away from the CPU. Benefits include faster hardware-based execution, delivering improved torque control throughout the full motor- speed range, In addition the integrated PMD frees the processor to carry out functions such as flexible speed control and motor parameter adjustment as well as managing new end user features.
Hardware-integrated safety compliance
Electrical and electronic products for sale into domestic appliance markets are subject to rigorous safety and quality standards. A key standard applicable to domestic appliances is IEC 60730. Although approval to this standard
is granted at the system level, certain capabilities are required of the host controller in order for the system to satisfy the specified criteria. A major requirement is for mechanisms that
Figure 3. The Oscillation Frequency Detector assists with IEC 60730 compliance
will verify correct operation of the MCU. As a result, new generations of optimised MCUs are emerging that embed features to support self- monitoring. Many of these, such as the ability to detect “stuck-at” faults in the CPU and memory, can be implemented in software. Another useful technique for
verifying correct processor operation is to detect abnormal CPU clock activity. Implementing a suitable function in software, however, is time consuming and also demands considerable CPU resource To avoid development delays and save processor resources in appliance designs targeting IEC 60730 approval, Toshiba has implemented a hardware clock monitoring function called the Oscillation Frequency Detector (OFD). The OFD block (Figure 3) which is implemented in both the TMPM370 and TMPM380 families
generates a reset signal for the MCU if the detected clock oscillation frequency exceeds the specified range. ‘Off-the-shelf’ development
environments that bring together hardware, software, tools, and motors are now available to help accelerate development of domestic appliances. The software packages that are supplied usually include source code, a board support package and a PC-based graphical interface for quicker and easier configuration and control of low- and high-voltage motor control parameters.
Toshiba Electronics Europe
|
www.toshiba-components.com
Frank Thim, Product Marketing, Consumer and Industrial IC Marketing business unit, Toshiba Electronics Europe
ST unveils low power ARM Cortex-M3
based microcontrollers for ‘Energy-Lite’ applications
STMicroelectronics has announced sampling to lead customers of the new STM32L series: the first ultra-low-power ARM Cortex-M3 microcontrollers available from a top-10 silicon supplier. The STM32L series combines a dedicated low-leakage 130nm process technology and optimised power-saving architecture that are unique to ST, to deliver industry-leading energy-saving performance. The new STM32L series is part of ST’s EnergyLite platform of ultra low-power products enabling designers to optimise performance, functionality and battery life, and to meet efficiency-related criteria such as eco-design targets. “The STM32L series delivers the optimal
balance between power consumption and performance of any device from a global semiconductor provider,” said Michel Buffa, General Manager of ST’s Microcontroller Division. “The STM32L will become the microcontroller of choice for energy-lite applications in markets such as consumer, industrial, medical or metering.”
In addition to its extreme energy efficiency, the STM32L series also has many features promoting data security and safe system operation, including flexible Brown- Out Reset; on-board Flash with Error Correction Code (ECC) support; a Memory Protection Unit (MPU); and JTAG fuse. These features are recommended for all applications that require safe product behavior and highly secure code and user- data management. Integrated USB 2.0 Full Speed support also makes the devices ‘handset ready’. Additionally, the MCU’s embedded LCD drivers enable easier, cheaper and smaller application designs. Joining the extensive STM32 family,
which now has over 135 variants offering complete pin, software, and peripherals compatibility for maximum flexibility, the STM32L offers 33DMIPS at 32MHz (max) and offers integrated Flash densities from 64Kbyte to 128Kbyte.
STMicroelectronics |
www.st.com
Components in Electronics April 2010 35
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