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Infineon adds new MCU family based on ARM Cortex M0

Date: 24/01/2013
Infineon has launched new 32-bit microcontroller family XMC1000 powered by ARM Cortex-M0 processor core. Infineon is targeting this MCU for applications where 8-bit can be replaced with 32 bit MCU without increasing the cost. The applications suggested for XMC1000 include sensor and actuator applications, LED lighting, digital power conversion, such as uninterruptible power supplies, and simple motor drives, such as those used in household appliances, pumps, fans and e-bikes.

“The XMC1000 family offers clear advantages for making the switch from 8-bit to 32-bit MCUs in a wide range of systems. The MCUs deliver true 32-bit performance at 8-bit prices, application-optimized peripherals, scalability with regard to the XMC4000 microcontroller family and the user-friendly, free DAVE development environment,” says Dr. Stephan Zizala, Senior Director, Industrial and Multimarket Microcontrollers at Infineon Technologies AG. “With the XMC1000 microcontrollers, Infineon is creating a decisive incentive for switching architecture from 8 to 32 bit.”

With 200KB flash memory, these MCUs feature PWM timers, 12-bit A/D converters and programmable serial communication interfaces. Additional features include a module for touch control and LED displays, a peripheral unit for the dimming and colour control of LEDs – otherwise known as the Brightness and Colour Control Unit (BCCU) – and a mathematical coprocessor specifically for motor drive controls. The XMC1000 microcontrollers satisfy the requirements defined by the standard IEC60730 Class B, which is prescribed for the safety of household appliances sold in Europe, and offer, for example, hardware error correction (ECC) and corresponding memory tests. A further unique feature is a flash loader with a 128-bit AES accelerator, which allows a design engineer’s valuable software IP – so important especially in cost-sensitive applications – to be better protected.

The XMC1100 Entry series devices have six 12-bit A/D converter channels, which operate up to 1.88 mega samples/second, and four 16-bit timers in a capture/compare unit 4 (CCU4) and a broad voltage tolerance, between 1.8V and 5.5V.

The XMC1200 Feature series incorporates additional application-specific features, including a unit for capacitive touch sensing and LED display controls and the BCCU. The BCCU permits flicker-free dimming and colour control of LEDs with virtually no burden on the processor. Variants in this series are available for the extended temperature range of -40°C up to 105°C.

XMC1300 Control series is specifically optimized for motor control and digital power conversion applications. They features a capture/compare unit 8 (CCU8) with two compare channels and asymmetric PWM functionality plus a position interface (POSIF) for the precise detection of the motor position. XMC1300 devices also offer a mathematical coprocessor, which permits efficient sensorless FOC (field oriented control) solutions for electric motors. This is unique for Cortex-M0-based products. The XMC1300 series also offers variants for the temperature range up to 105°C.

Availability of XMC1100, XMC1200, XMC1300 and development kits
Samples of all three XMC1000 series and the DAVE development environment for XMC1000 will be available from March 2013. Volume production is planned for Q4 2013. Depending on the particular XMC1000 series and peripheral set, prices for order quantities of several million units can range between Euro 0.25 and Euro 1.25. There are boot kits available for an easy and low-cost evaluation of all XMC1000 series, as well as comprehensive application kits for the XMC1000 target applications.