USB microcontrollers add more memory

A new microcontroller family meets the demands of applications that require USB connectivity and high-performance analogue, high-performance CPU processing and larger memory footprints.

Silicon Laboratories has expanded its range of USB microcontroller products with solutions for both high-end and cost-sensitive applications.

The C8051F34x family is being launched at the Embedded World tradeshow in Nuremberg, Germany.

Silicon Laboratories' new C8051F34x product family meets the demands of applications that require USB connectivity and high-performance analogue, high-performance CPU processing and larger memory footprints such as medical diagnostic equipment, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, weigh scales, embedded modems and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephones.

The C8051F34x family includes a high-speed pipelined 8051-compatible MCU core operating up to 48MIPS, a 10bit analogue-to-digital convertor (ADC), up to 64Kbyte of onboard Flash memory and 5376byte of RAM, which includes 1Kbyte of USB FIFO.

The on-chip USB engine includes a control endpoint and six flexible endpoint pipes allowing customers to support multiple USB device types.

An enhanced feature set includes SPI, SMBus, external memory interface (EMIF), counters, PWM generators and comparators.

All of Silicon Laboratories' USB MCU products are USB 2.0 compliant supporting both low-speed and full-speed operation and include an on-chip voltage regulator and physical layer transceiver for direct interface to the USB connection without the need for additional components.

A rich set of peripheral features such as UARTs, timers and temperature sensors make Silicon Laboratories' complete USB MCU solutions the most comprehensive, highest integrated solutions on the market.

"There is increasing demand for USB solutions that offer higher integration, lower cost and a complimentary tool chain to accelerate product development", said Derrell Coker, Vice President of Silicon Laboratories.

"With the expansion of our USB product line, we are able to address our customers' full spectrum of requirements".

Silicon Laboratories USB MCU product line also includes the following: the C8051F320/1 for mid-range applications such as digital cameras, modems and printers that require high-performance analogue but fewer peripheral features; the C8051F326/7 for cost-sensitive applications such as USB tokens, gaming devices, intelligent cables assemblies, I/O adapters and toys that require single-chip, very small footprint solutions; and the CP210x USB-to-UART bridge that converts data traffic between USB and UART formats for applications such as cellular phones, navigation systems, glucose meters and barcode readers.

Silicon Laboratories' offers a unique hardware development platform for each USB MCU product family as well as software development tools that accelerate time to market by simplifying the design process and allowing designers to focus on their end product.

Software development tools include a full-featured integrated development environment (IDE) with single-cycle hardware breakpoints and configurable watch windows.

Host and device source code examples for commonly used drivers and transfer types are included that enable designers to build their system to interface to standard host operating systems without the need for custom driver development.

Another key software tool, USBXpress, provides the easiest way to achieve "bulk" data transfer.

Silicon Laboratories also works with leading partners such as Jungo to supply rapid driver development software and National Technical Systems to accelerate USB compliance testing.

Silicon Laboratories' USB solutions include innovative applications and reference designs that ease the design process by offering all of the technical documentation and technical construction files needed to assist in implementing USB functionality.

Silicon Laboratories will hold several USB and industrial connectivity seminars throughout Germany between 29th March 29 and 4th April 2006.

For more information and to register, see the company's website.

Silicon Laboratories' USB MCU products are offered in a variety of packages and price points.

The C8051F32x family is available in a 5 x 5mm 28-pin quad flat no-lead (QFN) package or a 32-pin low profile quad flat package (LQFP).

Pricing for the C8051F32x family begins at $1.76 in quantities of 10,000.

The C8051F34x family is available in a 32-pin LQFP and a 48-pin thin quad flat pack (TQFP).

Pricing for the C8051F34x family begins at $3.42 in quantities of 10,000.

Full production is scheduled for Q1 2006.

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