Flash micro with on-chip sensors

9 May 2001 DSP, Micros & Memory

System designers in need of a microcontroller with integrated current and temperature sensing capabilities can now choose Motorola's 68HC908SR12 microcontroller. Designed for smart batteries and chargers, home appliances, security systems and other applications needing sensing capabilities, this 8 bit microcontroller (MCU) provides on-chip current and temperature sensors, eliminating the need for additional system components and enabling reduced board size, increased reliability and low system cost.

The on-chip current and temperature sensors are unusual in the industry and a first for Motorola. The 68HC908SR12 has an on-chip temperature sensor with a range of -20 to +70°C, a current flow sensing circuit, and a two-stage programmable amplifier. Current presence, direction and magnitude can be detected using only an external sensing resistor. By integrating these circuits on-chip, Motorola has built on its DigitalDNA technology to simplify the end system design by allowing for small, low-power designs with a short design cycle. In addition, an enhanced EMC circuit makes customers' system design layout work easier by reducing the need for shielding and further reducing end system cost.

Adding to its extensive portfolio of 68HC08 MCUs with embedded flash technology, the 68HC908SR12 is a highly integrated chip that features in-application programming flexibility, and fast, secure write/erase capability. Motorola's flash MCUs allow OEMs to program late in the manufacturing cycle and make upgrades remotely in the field, enabling the flexibility to quickly respond to the changing needs of customers and the market.

Motorola's new chip includes:

* HC08 8 bit core.

* 12 KB embedded flash.

* 512 bytes RAM.

* 14-channel, 10 bit analog-to-digital converter.

* Three-channel, high-speed pulse-width modulator (PWM).

* Multiple timers.

* Multimaster I2C with system management bus (SMBus) 1.0/1.1 compatibility.

* Serial communications interface (SCI).

* Timebase module.

* Temperature and current sensors.

It is offered in 42-pin SDIP (shrink dual in-line package) and very small footprint 48-pin LQFP (low-profile quad flat pack) packages.

For further information, contact Avnet Kopp, (011) 444 2333, [email protected] or www.avnet.co.za

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