Date: 22/10/2009

Toshiba's new MCU with ARM Cortex-M3 processing core and hardware vector engine

Toshiba has introduced the TMPM370, a new 32-bit MCU that combines an 80MHz ARM Cortex-M3 processing core with a hardware vector engine, providing enough capability to drive two independent motors. The TMPM370 MCU is suitable for high-efficiency AC motor home appliances and industrial applications such as washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners.

The TMPM370 also includes on-chip 256Kbyte FLASH, 10Kbyte SRAM, dual 12-bit analog-to-digital converters, 4 serial interface controllers, eight 16-bit timers, 76GPIOs, voltage regulator, power-on reset, low voltage detection and oscillator frequency detection, making it a complete one-chip solution for motor control.

The TMPM370 MCU cuts the CPU load in half by offloading the heavy calculation to the vector engine, which also handles the timing tasks, such as collecting samples from ADCs and directing inputs to the PWM circuits.

The key features of the TMPM370 MCU are,

Complies with IEC60730 Class B requirements for appliance safety
Power-on tests and continuously operating fault condition checks are handled by a combination of on-chip hardware blocks and a software library
Powerful debug capability
Dual or single motor control
Two programmable motor driver units, each unit provide autonomous PWM outputs and synchronizes the A/D conversion of the sensor inputs
Integrated comparators that detects out-of range conditions

"The reduction of power consumption in appliances is a key concern for design engineers as many utility companies are incentivizing consumers to purchase more power efficient appliances," said Andrew Burt, vice president of the Imaging and Communications Marketing Group in the ASSP Business Unit at Toshiba. "Toshiba's new TMPM370 MCU provides the right combination of processing power and hardware peripherals to help our customers design the low-power appliances that are in demand among today's green-minded consumers."

"Toshiba's innovative implementation of vector space math acceleration in a 5V Cortex-M3 processor-based MCU will help motion control engineers achieve the higher levels of efficiency and functionality required in the next generation of appliances and HVAC systems," said Eric Schorn, VP marketing, Processor Division, ARM. "Toshiba's adoption of the ARM Cortex architecture is a clear demonstration of the growing support for the ARM Cortex-M3 processor's low power, high computation abilities."

Price: Each $4.50 for 10k pieces
Availability: Now in samples, mass production scheduled from Q2 2010

For more details visit www.toshiba.com

Editorial Product Rating: Average