Each year the technology gets enhanced and we get so many new electronic devices with different features that make our life style flexible and automated. This has been possible due to the various types of microcontrollers that are being researched, tested and launched from time to time.
Few such MCUs that have been recently launched are Tiva C Series TM4C123x by Texas Instruments, Marvell 88MC2000 by Avnet Memec and EFM32â„¢ Zero Gecko by Silicon labs.
Marvell 88MC2000
This microcontroller chip brought by AVNET Memec enables high performance computing for various smart devices at a very cost effective price. It has a processing speed of 200MHz and provides an on chip DC/DC converter with a rich I/O capability.
Applications:
• Mobile applications and cloud based services
• Household appliances
• HVAC systems
• Communication with a Smart Grid
• Sensor and Irrigation Systems
Key Specification:
• 32-bit ARM Cortex M3 microprocessor
• In-package QSPI Flash
• Peripherals
– QSPI interface (external Serial Flash support)
– SSP/SPI/I2S
– I2C
– UART
– GPIOs (up to 60)
– SDIO; USB OTG FS with integrated PHY
– Multi-channeled PWMs
– ADC (2×16 bit), DAC (2×10 bit)
– Two Analog Comparators
– 128-bit AES Engine
Tiva C Series TM4C123x
This serie of MCUs were formally known as Stellaris LM4F. This is the Texas Instrument’s first Cortex M based MCU to be built on their 65nm flash process technology. They combine Texas Instrument’s on-chip features such as robust software ecosystem, high-performance analog and system expertise in the connected applications. This series of MCU along with real-time control C2000, innovative low-power MSP430 and safety MCU platforms allow customers to choose the perfect MCU that would meet their design requirements.
Applications:
• Industrial Automation applications (such as electronic point of sale machines, remote monitoring, test and measurement equipment, switches, network appliances and factory automation).
• HVAC
• Building Control
• Gaming Equipment
• Motion Control
• Transportation
• Fire & Security
Key Specifications:
• 32-bit ARM® Cortex™-M4 80-MHz processor core
• 256KBytes Flash (40MHz)
• 32KBytes SRAM
• 2KBytes EEPROM
• On-chip oscillator
• Peripherals
- – 32-channel DMA
– 8 UARTS
– 4 SSI/SPI
– USB 2.0 Host/Device/OTG
– 2 CAN 2.0
– Six I2C
– 2 Watchdog Timers,
– 12 Timer/PWM/CCP Modules
– Three analog comparators
– Two 12-bit ADC, up to 24 channels, 1MSPS
– Temperature Sensor
– LDO voltage Regulator
– Two Quadrature Encoder Inputs
– Sixteen PWM Outputs
EFM32â„¢ Zero Gecko
It is considered to be industry’s most energy friendly 32 bit MCU that is based on ARM Cortex M0+ processor. This series of MCU pioneered by Energy Micro and launched by Silicon Labs includes 16 cost effective MCU products that have been designed from the ground up in order to enable the lowest possible energy consumption for all the devices that have been connected together enabling Internet of Things (IoT). Its energy saving feature called the Peripheral Reflex System (PRS) monitors the complex system level events and thus allows different MCU peripherals so that they can directly communicate with each other and autonomously without any involvement of the CPU.
Applications:
• Energy meter
• Smart meter
• Gas meter
• Health and fitness application
• Alarm and security systems
• Industrial and home automation
Key Specifications:
• 24 MHz ARM Cortex-M0+ core
• Up to 32 kB flash and 4 kB RAM memory
• Peripherals
- – Up to 37 GPIO
– USART, Low energy UART, I2C
– External Interrupts, Reset Pins, Watchdog Timer
– 12 bit ADC and IDAC along with Analog Comparator
• Single 1.85–3.8 V power supply
• -40° to 85 °C operation range
• Packages:
- – 24-pin QFN (5 mm x 5 mm)
– 32-pin QFN (6 mm x 6 mm)
– 48-pin QFP (7 mm x 7 mm)
For further information on other Cortex-M based MCUs please refer to the following link: click here
