At the outset, let us glance through the concept of a microcontroller (MCU). An MCU is a compact integrated circuit designed to control specific operations in an embedded system. The typical components of a microcontroller include a processor, memory, and input/ output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip. Also termed embedded controller, or microcontroller unit (MCU), the typical applications of MCUs include office machines, robots, vehicles, transceivers, etc.

In other words, a microcontroller resembles a mini-computer that controls small features of a large component without an intricate front-end OS. Now that we’ve taken a quick look at what microcontrollers are, let us look at the features of a microcontroller and highlight a few microcontroller products manufactured by Nuvoton and Infineon.

Features of Microcontrollers

  • Processor: From simple 4-bit, 8-bit or 16-bit processors to more complex 32-bit or 64-bit processors
  • Memory Types: Random Access Memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory types. It includes flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
  • Architecture: Based on Harvard architecture or von Neumann architecture that offer varying data exchange methods between the processor and memory.
  • Basis of the Processor: Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) or Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC)
  • Microprocessor Language: C (popular), Python and JavaScript
  • Input and output pins to execute peripheral functions such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) controllers, analog-to-digital converters, universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), universal synchronous/asynchronous receiver transmitter (USART), etc.

Nuvoton and Infineon Microcontroller Products

Nuvoton Microcontroller Products

Nuvoton manufactures and extensive range of microcontroller products. A few of them have been mentioned below. To know about other products, and their applications and features, connect with Millennium Semiconductors.

Product Applications Some Key Features
Low Power Touch Key ML56 Series

ü  ML56MD1

ü  ML56LD1

ü  ML56SD1

 ü  Thermostat

ü  Home Application HMI

ü  Measurement Devices

 ü  Voltage range: 1.8 V to 3.6 V

ü  Temperature range: -40°C to +105°C

ü  Operating speed: 24 MHz

ü  Support programmable internal VLCD charge pump mode

ü  Support Internal resistor bias, capacitor bias

ü  Support 2.8V to 5.5V LCD operating voltage

ü  4 COM x 32 SEG, 6 COM x 30 SEG, 8 COM x 28 SEG

ü  1/2, 1/3, 1/4 bias selectable

ü  Up to 4-ch PDMA controller

ü  Normal run mode: 100 µA/ MHz+ 400 µA

ü  Idle mode: lowest current: 17 µA

ü  Wake up from power down in 10 us (run with HIRC).

 
M487 Ethernet Series ü  Smart Homes

ü  Industrial IoT

ü  IoT Gateway

ü  Serial-to-Ethernet Converter

 ü  Up to 192 MHz Arm® Cortex ®-M4F delivering 1.25 DMIPS per MHz

ü  Memory Protection Unit (MPU)

ü  DSP instruction set

ü  2 KB One-Time-Programmable ROM

ü  4 KB Secure Protection ROM

ü  Up to 160 KB RAM, including 32 KB external SPI Flash cache

ü  80 bytes of battery-powered backup registers

ü  Internal PLL up to 480 MHz

ü  Internal 12 MHz RC oscillator

ü  Internal 10 kHz RC oscillator

ü  4 to 24 MHz crystal oscillator

ü  Voltage range: 1.8V to 3.6V

ü  Temperature range: – 40°C to +105°C
M485 Crypto Series ü  Smart Payment

ü  Secure USB device

ü  Fingerprint module

ü  Secure IoT device

 ü  Memory Protection Unit (MPU)

ü  Up to 192 MHz Arm® Cortex ®-M4F delivering 1.25 DMIPS per MHz

ü  4 KB Secure Protection ROM

ü  512 KB zero-wait state Flash memory

ü  2 KB One-Time-Programmable ROM

ü  LCD parallel interface, i80 mode

ü  Two quadrature encoder interfaces

ü  Two 24-bit, 3-ch input capture timer/counter units

ü  Voltage range: 1.8V to 3.6V

ü  Temperature range: – 40 ℃ to +105 ℃

 

Infineon Microcontroller Products

Product Applications Some Key Features
H-Bridge Driver IC with Integrated Arm® Cortex® M3 ü  Window lift

ü  Sunroof

ü  Electrical fans

ü  Electrical pumps

 

 ü  Scalability in terms of flash memory sizes and MCU system clock frequency to support an extensive range of motor control algorithms

ü  Same MCU and peripherals as the TLE987x family

ü  3-phase driver

ü  Charge pump can drive gate charges up to 150nC per MOSFET under restricted conditions
32-bit XMC1000 Industrial Microcontroller Arm® Cortex®-M0 ü  Connected LED lighting supplies

ü  Power tool motor control

ü  Fan motor control

ü  I/O modules used in automation

ü  Small combustion engine controls as in lawn movers

 ü  32-bit XMC1000 Industrial Microcontroller Arm® Cortex®-M0

ü  The BCCU eases digital LED dimming and color control applications

ü  MultiCAN provides connectivity with 2 nodes and 32 message objects

ü  Hall sensors and optical encoders can be connected to POSIF, a position interface for motor position control

ü  30ns comparators enable AC-DC and low voltage DC-DC SMPS control, for instance,up to 4 channel buck converters
XC88x Series (Legacy Microcontroller>Legacy 8-bit / 16-bit Microcontroller>XC800 A-Family (Automotive)) ü  Automobiles ü  16-bit Vector Computer (MDU+CORDIC) for Field Oriented Control

ü  Multi CAN up to 2 CAN nodes

ü  10-bit ADC with high accuracy (8-channels). Fast conversion in 1 µs

ü  Background E²PROM emulation

ü  3 independent capture/compare timers with up to 4 PWM channels

 

General Applications of Microcontrollers

Some applications of microcontrollers include,

  • Smart energy
  • Building automation
  • Robotics
  • Automotive
  • Industrial automation
  • IoT deployments
  • Electromechanical systems in devices such as fridges, mobile phones, ovens, etc.
  • Office machines such as scanners, photocopiers, fax machines, security systems, ATMs, etc.

Get Reputed Microcontroller Products through Millennium!

Millennium Semiconductors is an established, credible distributor of microcontroller products from reputed microcontroller suppliers, including Nuvoton and Infineon. The company’s clients benefit from its countrywide distribution network, range of products, extensive inventory, prompt distribution service, and supply chain innovations. To know more or to partner with Millennium Semiconductors, call +91 8308838961 or write an email to [email protected] or visit the website