32-Bit MCUs Address Inverter- And Motor-Control Needs

Intended for inverter- and motor-control applications such as air conditioners, solar-panel power systems, washing machines, dryers and factory-automation equipment, a series of fifteen 32-bit All Flash V850E/Ix4 microcontrollers (MCUs) operates at 100 MHz. Delivering increased performance compared with the previous generation of MCUs (V850E/Ix3), these MCUs provide more on-chip flash memory (up to 480 kB), which is double the capacity of the V850E/Ix3 MCUs. Other peripheral expansion features include an on-chip USB function interface, 20 analog-to-digital converter (ADC) channels, and additional op amps and analog comparators. These MCUs are available in 100-pin (V850E/IG4) and 128-pin (V850E/IH4) packages. Features include enhanced inverter timers (two units x six PWM outputs per unit) with up to 100-MHz operation for higher PWM drive frequencies and higher inverter/motor-control loop frequencies. This enables highly energy-efficient smart appliances and factory-automation equipment. The devices’ CPU operating frequency of 100 MHz provide for finer-grained inverter control. Larger flash memory capacity means that the MCUs can be applied to systems that require large memory capacity for their programs, such as factory automation and air conditioning equipment. Samples of the V850E/Ix4 MCUs are available now, and volume production is scheduled to begin December 2009. Pricing for 10,000-unit quantities ranges from $13.40 to $15.75 each, depending on the package and peripheral options. NEC ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC., Santa Clara, CA. (800) 366-9782.