Embedded controller gains low-power option

Micro Robotics has introduced a low-power version of its highly successful VM-1 credit-card-sized embedded control computer.

Micro Robotics has introduced a low-power version of its highly successful VM-1 credit-card-sized embedded control computer.

The low power version has the same 16bit Hitachi H8S processor as the standard version but its speed has been reduced from 16 to 4MHz.

The processing power is still suitable for all but the most demanding of applications while the current consumption is reduced by 75% to 6mA when idling, 13-24mA when running and less than 1uA in sleep mode.

This makes it ideal for all types of battery-powered equipment such as handheld instruments.

Functionality of the low power version remains the same as the high-performance controller and the CPU is supported with 128 or 512Kbyte battery backed RAM and 512Kbyte Flash that contains both the object-oriented, control-system Venom-SC software and user applications.

A PCF8583 real time clock calendar is provided, as are alarm signal and watchdog supervisor IC, LED function indicator and program mode and baud rate/user switches.

The comprehensive I/O resources include: two serial ports up to 38,400baud asynchronous and 250Kbaud synchronous, two I2C buses, one Microwire/SPI bus, six pulse I/O channels (six PWM and four pulse counting) and two quadrature shaft encoders (four inputs).

Eight 10bit analogue inputs, two 8bit analogue outputs and 42 digital I/O channels are also available.

These are not all operable at the same time but detailed instructions are supplied.

One customer already using the low power version is C and P Systems of Kearsley, Bolton, a company that has been using the VM1 since its launch in 2002.

Managing Director, Paul Hackworth, explains the benefit of the new low powered version: "We manufacture real-time passenger information systems installed at bus stops and train stations.

The systems use most of the facilities available with the VM-1 including both serial ports connected to radio modems/GSM devices, graphic LCD, large data files and a user interface that results in lots of complex file searches".

"We had always asked Micro-Robotics for a lower powered version because all our equipment uses batteries and solar panels so every milliamp counts - especially in the UK".

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