Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Zilog | Subject: ZLP12840
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 22 November 2005
IR microcontroller learns codes from
others
The latest addition to the Crimzon line of infra-red-specific MCUs are the first that can learn codes from other infra-red remote controls via a learning circuit.
In a development that reinforces its position as the leading supplier of microcontroller (MCU) solutions for the universal remote control (URC) market and reduces both the component count and bill of materials for its customers, Zilog today announced the release of the ZLP12840 family of 8bit MCU devices, the latest addition to its Crimzon line of infra-red-specific silicon Unique to the ZLP12840 is its on-chip ability to learn codes from other infra-red remote controls via a learning circuit
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 7 Dec 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Learning features are becoming increasingly popular in the mid- to high-end remote control market.
These features capture the infra-red signal from any other remote control then duplicate it on the learning remote.
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Once the codes are captured, they are mapped to keys on the universal remote via integrated firmware.
This learning function is especially useful in instances where a consumer has a number of remote controls and wishes to consolidate this number down to a single URC, or has purchased a new device and wishes to add these codes to their URC.
"The addition of ZLP12840 to our Crimzon portfolio is a significant development for Zilog", commented Jim Thorburn, Zilog Chairman and CEO.
"It builds on our established presence in the URC marketplace and underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering innovation that works and produces tangible benefits for our partners and customers".
"The ZLP12840's infra-red learning amplification circuitry reduces the overall cost of designing and implementing a learning remote control based on reduced development time and reduced number of components".
"This represents significant savings on bill of materials, which is passed on directly to our customers".
The ZLP12840 is a one-time programmable (OTP) device based on Zilog's proprietary Z8 core, and provides a stable base platform that allows rapid development, small-volume production and a migration path to mask ROM for high-volume production of remote controls.
Available immediately in 20- and 28-pin SOIC, SSOP and PDIP packages, and with OTP memory choices ranging from 32 to 128Kbyte, the ZLP12840 devices are fully software-compatible with Zilog's existing portfolio of Crimzon ROM-based IR microcontrollers.
Typically, to capture the small infra-red signal from the photodiode of the remote so that the codes can be integrated, an external signal amplification circuit or comparator was used.
This external circuitry adds to the overall bill of materials cost and has a tendency to reduce reliability.
What differentiates the ZLP12840 from competing solutions is that the code-learning functionality is integrated on-chip, meaning a significant cost saving of between US $0.10 and $0.25 per unit for customers, who now do not have to source this element externally.
This built-in IR amplifier's well-tuned gain makes the user's programming task much easier with a much wider range (typically up to 250mm) of capture distance between the original remote and the learning remote.
In addition, ZLP12840's patented timers (T8/T16) support all infra-red signals in the market and can capture a signal with a carrier frequency of up to 1MHz and transmit an infra-red signal with a carrier frequency of up to 4MHz.
One important feature of the ZLP12840 is its innovative "stop mode recovery" source which can also be used as an external interrupt source.
This means that any change in any logic combination of the 12 input pins can be used to wake up the microcontroller from stop mode or generating an interrupt.
For example, in key scanning of the remote control, the input may be "high" in normal time.
When a key is pressed, that signal will go into "low" so that the controller will know that some key is pressed.
Similarly, in home security monitoring, all sensors are connected to the control system with reporting high or low logic.
When there is a change of logic, an event is happening.
This is a handy feature for monitoring changing condition of any combination of logic status.
Another key feature of the ZLP12840 is increased RAM size, now 1Kbyte, which allows significant amounts of code sets to be programmed into the remote with less design time being spent on optimising the supporting code.
In addition, the large range of OTP memory offered allows for a larger universal remote control code database to be built in, allowing the OEM remote control to cover a larger percentage of the market for electrical items such as TVs, DVDs, VCRs, audio equipment, HVAC, lighting and other devices in the home compatible with remote control operation.
"The ZLP12840 family is a precursor to a 64Kbyte ROM part expected out in the first half of 2006 and was developed following significant periods of research and development, talking to customers and engineers in order to find out what the needs of the URC market", added Dr Norman Sheridan, Executive Vice President of Technology and Operations at Zilog.
"Over the last six months, sample units of the new MCUs have been tried and tested by a handful of customers in the field, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive".
Pricing ranges from US $2.66 to $3.54 based on 1000-unit quantities for 32 to 128Kbyte OTP sizes.
A development kit (part number ZLP128ICE01ZEM) priced at $1248.00 is available for the ZLP12840 and contains: an in- circuit emulator, URC infra-red development board, all cables, adapters and towers to emulate and program all 20-pin, 28-pin packages and, the ZDS II with C-compiler, simulator and IDE.
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