Fujitsu's two new SoC solutions for Powerline Communication

Fujitsu Semiconductor Europe are offering two new System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for FSK-based Powerline Communication (PLC). The MB87S2090 and MB87S2090-F have been developed in association with ADD Semiconductor, a world leader in the development of SoCs for Communication-over-Powerline and solutions for Automatic Meter Management. Both devices are pin-to-pin compatible with ADD Semiconductor's designs.

The MB87S2090 is a Powerline Communication SoC, which implements a full Powerline Communication node using A, B and C band FSK modulations and is IEC61334-5-2 compatible. It includes an enhanced 8051 microcontroller, a Media Access Controller (MAC) and a modem circuit. A complete set of peripherals has been developed achieving a high level of versatility and providing a compact, low-cost solution for automated meter reading / automated meter management (AMR & AMM) applications using narrowband Powerline Communications.

Based on the MB87S2090 a single-phase smart meter can be realised without the need for additional microcontrollers. It includes an LCD driver as well as a range of serial communication interfaces to connect to a metering front-end device as well as to the outside. It also includes several timer-based peripherals and GPIO-pins that can be used to control / switch the power line (AMM).

For modular metering devices, the MB87S2090 can assume the complete Powerline Communication role and act as a Powerline Communication module, communicating with the measurement device via its serial interfaces.

The MB87S2090-F is a full Powerline Communication SoC, which implements a full Powerline Communication node using FSK C-band modulation and is compliant to EHS and Konnex standards for building automation as well as IEC61334-4-32. The device has been designed to target and simplify Powerline-based building automation, safety, security and control applications as well as energy-saving applications such as intelligent street lighting or solar panel management.

Like the MB87S2090, the MB87S2090-F integrates an enhanced 8051 microcontroller, a hardwired Media Access Controller (MAC) and a CENELEC FSK modem on one chip. As the MAC is hardwired, the integrated CPU can be used to perform application tasks. The many on-chip peripherals support these tasks. Five serial communication interfaces (3 UARTS, 2 SPI) secure communication to the outside, while integrated PWM timers can be used to switch or dim lights or manage other loads.The device only needs a simple coupling circuit and significantly reduces the number of components required for a Powerline Communication application making the employment of Powerline Communication as a control network affordable for a wider range of applications.

By integrating the MCU, MAC and Modem into single-chip devices and shifting the front-end filtering into digital filters Fujitsu's new Powerline Communication solutions not only significantly reduce the number of components needed for line coupling but also improve the sensitivity with better noise suppression compared to analogue transceivers. The effect is much more stable communication even in harsh conditions.

For further information, view website: http://emea.fujitsu.com/semiconductor or e-mail: mark.ellins@fme.fujitsu.com 

New series of low pin count 8-bit MCUs for motor control

Fujitsu Semiconductor Europe has expanded its F²MC-8FX family of low-cost, low pin count (LPC) microcontrollers (MCUs). MB95330K is the first Fujitsu 32-pin, 8-bit MCU series to feature motor control functionality. With fast processing, low power consumption and three-phase motor control timers, the devices are targeted for use in a wide range of industrial, medical and consumer applications. 

The series is powered by Fujitsu's proprietary 8FX CPU core and features embedded dual-operation flash memory with support for E²PROM emulation. This allows a reduction in system area and system cost, as an external E²PROM is not required. Fujitsu's high quality, high-performance embedded flash memory can be re-written 100,000 times and is guaranteed to hold data for 20 years. A flash security function protects customers' software from being read by unauthorised external programs.

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) has expanded its F²MC-8FX family of low-cost, low pin count (LPC) microcontrollers (MCUs.

The precise RC oscillator (+/-2%) and low-voltage detection circuit built into the MCUs eliminate the need for an external oscillator and reset IC, thus contributing further to a reduction in overall system costs. The new series also employs single-line on-chip debug and includes an I²C interface.

The MB95330K series is part of Fujitsu's F²MC-8FX family, a complete family of LPC MCUs ranging from 8-pin up to 100-pin devices, and is scalable in terms of memory and feature set. Future devices are currently under design and will add features such as a peripheral for controlling LCDs.

Manufactured in Fujitsu's own wafer fabs in Japan, the 8FX devices are the successor to the company's highly successful 8L products.

The series will be supported by detailed and easy-to-access material on Fujitsu's website, including datasheets, manuals, application notes, example software, sensorless motor control library and C-library. Development is made easy with the compact and low-cost on-chip debugging tool and the free-of-charge C-language IDE - Softune.

Availability
The MB95330K series will feature derivatives in 32-pin LQFP, SDIP and QFN packages, and be available with 8, 12 or 20kB of flash memory and 240, 496 or 1008B of RAM. Engineering samples will be available from April 2010 with volume production starting in June 2010.

For further information, view website: http://emea.fujitsu.com/semiconductor or e-mail: mark.ellins@fme.fujitsu.com   

New graphics SoC with complete tool-chain for fast time-to-market

Fujitsu Semiconductor Europe offer a new addition to its 'Jade' graphics controller family, the MB86R03 'Jade L', which focuses on cost optimisation and comes with a complete tool-chain to help beginners get started quickly.

Like other members of the family, the MB86R03 'Jade L' incorporates the powerful 32-bit ARM926EJ-S™ CPU core and Fujitsu's successful graphics processor 'Coral PA'. Based on Fujitsu's proprietary 90nm CMOS process technology, the MB86R03 'Jade L' is optimised for applications requiring high CPU performance combined with sophisticated 2D/3D graphics features.

By keeping performance and quality equal to other members of the 'Jade' family and offering peripherals selected for the target applications Fujitsu has been able to reduce costs.

Packaged in a 484-pin PBGA (Plastic Enhanced BGA), the device requires a supply voltage of 3.3V (I/O), 1.8V (DDR2), 1.2V (Internal) and is designed to operate over a temperature range of -40 to +85°C.

'Jade' graphics controller family, the MB86R03 'Jade L', which focuses on cost optimisation and comes with a complete tool-chain.

The ARM926EJ-S is a fully synthesisable processor with a Jazelle® technology (Java™ Acceleration) enhanced 32-bit RISC CPU, 16kB instruction cache, 16kB data cache, 16kB ITCM, 16kB DTCM and a memory management unit (MMU). The CPU runs all major operating systems and existing middleware including Microsoft Windows CE, QNX, Wind River VxWorks, Linux and Itron.

Further features include an ETM9 (medium) and JTAG ICE interface, 8-channel DMA and 32-bit timers. Core frequency is 320MHz (generated by on-chip PLL). On-board peripherals include a unified DDR2 memory supporting 320Mbps (up to 128MB), a parallel flash/SRAM host interface with decryption engine, CAN,  ADC,  I²C, I²S, PWM, SPI, UART, GPIO and an external interrupt.

Fujitsu's Coral PA processor provides sophisticated features for embedded graphics applications, which require a high level of display and rendering functions. These features include a rendering engine for 2D/3D graphic acceleration functions, a geometry processor supporting floating point transformations for smooth graphics animation and a dual-display capability (2 x RGB digital outputs) that enables independent contents to be shown on two connected screens.

Display panels with a resolution in the range from 320 x 240 up to 1024 x 768 are supported on two separated outputs.

Other key graphic and video features include
1) A texture mapping unit (up to 4096 x 4096). 2) Bit-Blt Unit (up to 4096 x 4096) 3) Alpha Bit-Blt and ROP2 functions. 4) Six layers of overlay display (Windows). 5) Alpha plane and constant alpha value for each layer. 6) Dual digital video input (various formats including YUV,RGB, ITU656). 7) Video scaler (up/down scaling). 8) Brightness, contrast and saturation control for video. 9) Built-in alpha blending, anti-aliasing and chroma-keying.

The 'Jade' family has successfully been designed into a wide range of automotive, industrial and consumer applications providing the right level of performance, functionality and quality. 

Availability
Sample quantities of MB86R03 will be available from Q1 2010. A dedicated evaluation board, low-cost IDE, authoring tool and sample programs will also be offered in this time-frame.

In addition, Fujitsu will offer hands-on workshops to help engineers quickly create their own applications with the MB86R03 'Jade-L'.

For further information, view website: http://emea.fujitsu.com/semiconductor or e-mail: mark.ellins@fme.fujitsu.com