Toshiba adds 32-bit microcontrollers based on Arm Cortex-M technology
Expanding its low power microcontroller offering, Toshiba Electronics Europe New additions are suitable for motor control applications. The additions to the TXZ+ family of low power microcontrollers are optimised for motor control systems, domestic appliances, human machine interfaces and connected IoT infrastructure. The integrated devices are based on Arm Cortex-M processor cores, using a 40nm CMOS process that exhibits reduced operating and standby current levels.
The first additions are the M3H devices. They have a range of flash memory capacity options (up to 2Mbyte, with 100k write cycle endurance) and various package formats are available, to address different requirements while reducing the associated engineering effort and maximising software re-use, says Toshiba.
Each microcontroller features a multi-channel 12-bit analogue to digital converter (ADC). Among the different interfaces that may be specified are CAN, Ethernet and USB. There are also security mechanisms such as secure boot and access authentication, and IEC60730 Class B-compliant functional safety features included.
The microcontrollers are based on the Arm Cortex-M3 processor core. They operating at up to 120MHz (150 DMIPS) with 512kbyte code flash, 32kbyte data flash and 4kbyte of separated user flash, complemented with a 12-bit ADC and two 8-bit digital to analogue converters (DACs). The microcontrollers also include advanced programmable motor driver (A-PMD) functionality and built-in LCD driving capabilities.
Other additions are the M4K and M4M microcontrollers, based on an Arm Cortex-M4 processor core with floating point unit (FPU). Operating up to 160 MHz (203 DMIPS), they feature up to 256kbyte code flash, 32kbyte data flash and 4kbyte of user flash. Each includes Toshiba’s original motor control IP, which enables sensorless field oriented control (FOC) of up to three motors via a single microcontroller device. Like the M3H microcontrollers, the M4K and M4M devices are supplied in LQFP packages. The microcontrollers of the M4M group include an additional CAN controller enabling direct connectivity to the commonly used industrial field bus.
M4G and M4N devices are optimised for complex data processing. The integrated Arm Cortex-M4 processor core with FPU operates at up to 200MHz (254 DMIPS). The devices provide integrated code flash of up to 2Mbyte and a separated 32kbyte data flash. They also have A-PMD IP for motor control and are housed in both LQFP and BGA type packages for both industrial and consumer applications. The M4N devices also include a USB 2.0 full-speed OTG controller with integrated PHY (up to two ports), a 10/100 Ethernet MAC and a CAN controller.
