Freescale 8-bit automotive microcontrollers target fast-growing Asian vehicle markets

S08 MCUs with liquid crystal display driver designed for instrument clusters and HVAC applications with LCDs in entry-level vehicles

BANGALORE, India (Freescale Technology Forum India) – Freescale Semiconductor continues to rev up its 8-bit automotive microcontroller (MCU) portfolio with the introduction of an S08 MCU family designed for entry-level instrument clusters and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls. Featuring an integrated liquid crystal display (LCD) driver, the new 8-bit S08LG32 MCUs provide a cost-effective solution for LCD-based body applications in value-line vehicles popular in emerging markets, such as India and China. The devices can be used in entry-level automobiles, as well as two/three-wheeled vehicles including motorcycles and scooters.

Freescale’s S08LG32 family includes five automotive-qualified 5-volt devices that offer a range of flash memory sizes (up to 32 KB) and package options scaling from 48 to 80 pins. The on-chip LCD driver supports displays with up to 296 segments (8x37 or 4x41 LCD configuration). The highly integrated 8-bit MCUs are designed to deliver enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance.

The LG32 MCU family is well suited for cost-sensitive instrument cluster applications in entry-level vehicles, which account for more than 80 percent of the total vehicle market in India. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), India is one of the world’s fastest growing automotive markets, with a 17.8 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years in domestic sales. India is currently the world’s 10th largest producer of motor vehicles and the ninth largest producer of passenger cars. According to SIAM, Indian automakers produced 2.31 million motor vehicles and an additional 8.53 million two/three-wheeled vehicles in 2007.

“With the introduction of the LG32 family, Freescale is addressing strong customer demand in India and China for 5V LCD MCUs targeting cluster and HVAC applications in entry-level vehicles,” said Kevin Klein, global marketing manager of automotive MCUs at Freescale. “The LG32 provides automotive developers in emerging markets with a much needed automotive-grade 8-bit alternative to help drive down vehicle cost while helping to ensure quality and reliability.”

Many 8-bit MCUs with LCD drivers typically are designed for consumer and industrial designs with a 3V operating voltage. However, automotive developers require automotive-grade 5V devices optimized for more demanding automotive applications.

Freescale offers the automotive industry’s broadest portfolio of MCUs for instrument clusters, supporting simple to complex designs, ranging from mopeds to luxury cars. In addition to the new 8-bit LG32 family, Freescale offers highly integrated16-bit options, such as the recently announced S12HY devices, and higher-performance 32-bit options based on Power Architecture™ technology, such as the MPC560xS MCUs and MPC5121e multicore processor.

Comprehensive development support
The MC9S08LG32 family leverages and expands on the extensive suite of hardware and software development tools available today for the S08 families. The CodeWarrior™ Development Tool Suite and a wide range of third-party development software tools are available to help ease and accelerate application development.

Freescale plans to offer cost-effective MC9S08LG32 family demonstration boards and instrument cluster reference designs in Q2 2009.

S08LG32 MCU family features

* Up to 40 MHz HCS08 CPU core
* Up to 32 KB on-chip dual flash
* Up to 2 KB on-chip RAM
* 8-bit modulo timer (MTIM) with configurable clock inputs
* Two serial communication interface (SCI) modules
* Up to 16-channel 12-bit resolution successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
* One internal clock source (ICS): precision trimming of internal reference allows 0.2% resolution and 2% deviation over temperature and voltage
* One serial peripheral interface (SPI) module
* One inter-integrated circuit (I2C) module
* LCD driver, configurable up to 8 x 37 or 4 x 41; active in lowest power mode; all LCD pins are multiplexed with general-purpose I/Os (GPIOs)
* One 2-channel and one 6-channel timer/pulse-width modulator (TPM), which can drive stepper motors
* Real-time background debug mode (BDM) with in-circuit emulation (ICE)
* Up to 69 standard GPIOs
* Eight keyboard interrupts (KBI) and one IRQ interrupt with selectable polarity
* 8-bit real time counter (RTC) with low-power operation and wake up
* Two temperate range options: -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C and -40 degrees C to +105 degrees C

Pricing and availability
Initial samples of the S08LG32 MCUs are available today to selected automotive customers. General market support is planned to be available in the second quarter of 2009.

For S08LG32 product pricing, please contact your local Freescale sales representative.

The DEMO9S08LG32 demonstration board (with an MC9S08LG32 MCU in an 80-pin LQFP package) is priced at $99 (USD). Initial versions of the demonstration board are available today to selected automotive customers. General market support is planned to be available in the second quarter of 2009.

The S08LG32 cluster reference board also is planned to be available to selected automotive customers by the end of the first quarter in 2009.

For more information about the S08LG32 MCUs and development ecosystem, visit www.freescale.com/files/pr/automotive.html.

Freescale: The leader in automotive semiconductors
Freescale is the world’s No. 1 supplier of automotive semiconductors, with more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. Freescale’s sensors, analog products and 8-, 16- and 32-bit MCU families provide intelligence and connectivity for advanced safety, body electronics, chassis, engine control, powertrain, driver information and telematics. Freescale is a pioneer in FlexRay™ technology and was the first supplier to integrate CAN, LIN™ and flash memory technologies on automotive MCUs.

About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies with 2007 sales of $5.7 billion (USD). www.freescale.com

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