RF integration coming to a MCU near you
29
Apr
2016
Keremi expands its portfolio to cover products that have an analog front end to address the growing need for wireless connectivity. So from sub-GHz to 2.4GHz, expect us to discuss more about Bluetooth Smart, low power, ANT, Zigbee, Thread, RF4CE than ever before. We are starting with Dialog Semiconductor, Nordic Semiconductor and a another product line from TI, the SimpleLink. We will be tracking protocol, bands, RX/TX power consumption and a few other parametrics along the way. Hope you will join join us for this exciting journey.
The SAME70 got Tray versions added while the D20 and D21 added an UFBGA package. Interestingly the D21 showed some undocumented L variants (D21E16L and D21E15L). The AVR camp was pretty quiet this month.
We are initiating the coverage for the Dialog SmartBond family this month. The family further splits into 5 segments for an overall of 12 part numbers. All products are equiped with a 16 MHz Cortex-M0 core and a 2.4GHz RF analog front-end and support Bluetooth 4.1. The latest and higher end DA14680 supports Bluetooth 4.2 and is clocked at 96MHz. Although the majority of the portfolio is Flashless (serial Flash), 2 devices have 128kB while the DA14680 embeds 1MB. Prices range from roughly $1.5 to $2.25@1k at major eDistributors.
Infineon had no changes this month.
Microchip added just one product, the PIC12F1572T-E/MS, a 125C version of the existing PIC12F1572T-I/MS.
We are just starting to look at Nordic integrated RF+MCU portfolio this month. The BT Smart / BT Low Energy portfolio is larger than Dialog’s with 36 part numbers advertized. 2.4GHz RF, 16 MHz Cortex-M0 and 64 MHz Cortex-M4 are on the menu with support for BT4.1 and ANT protocols.
There are no flashless parts but rather a range of sizes from 128 to 256 and 512 kB parts. Prices range from $1.9 to $2.6 at 1ku at major edistributors.
Beyond a few datasheet updates, Nuvoton had no product change this month.
With multiple document types, sometimes inconsistent navigation flow / html table results and cryptic URL schemes, it is becoming increasingly difficult for users to go through the NXP portfolio. Nevertheless, we manage to find new pearls, namely the MKL17Z256CAL4R and the MKL26Z128CAL4R, WCLSP version of existing parts. There were also undocumented /3D suffixed parts in the LPC18 family.
The RL78 portfolio was steady while RX received a few additions in the form of a new group, the RX24T. The RX24T Group targets dual inverter control with a built-in FPU. For improved noise immunity, it operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V. 6 devices are available from 256/16 to 128/16 kB of Flash/RAM and 80 to 100 LQFP. Prices start at $2.40/10k.
Silicon Labs EFM8 and EFM32 were quiet this month.
Spansion was quiet this month.
ST released 10 new STM8 products, mostly 125C versions of existing parts. On the STM32 front, 33 products appeared with either new packages or high temperatures. ST however unveiled the STM32F412 product line at the top of the (low end) access line.
The F412 features 256kB RAM and 1024 kB Flash, 1 USB port. Prices range from $4.5 to $5.5@10ku.
TI launched the MSP430FR599x, an FRAM based MCU with a Low Energy Accelerator (LEA_SC), a co-processor optimized for digital signal processing, no prices were given yet.
No changes for Tiva and F2823 families.
This month, we are also initiating the coverage for the TI Simple Link families. These embed an MCU core with an analog RF front end. We chose to focus our attention on the Cortex-M based SimpleLink since there are 8051-based products as well.
The SimpleLink comes in 3 flavors.
The CC1 supports sub GHz bands with a 48MHz Cortex-M3 core and 802.15.4g, 6LoWPAN, wM-bus, Zigbee.
CC2 uses the same core for 2.4GHz and 802.15.4, Zigbee, 6LoWPAN and RF4CE while CC3 is a 80 MHz Cortex-M4 fitted with a 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz (Wifi) analog RF and stack.
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