Date: 17/10/2011

Automotive power management IC with CAN LIN interface supports CAN ISO 11898-6 specs

STMicroelectronics' new power management chip L99PM72PXP meets latest CAN specification, ISO 11898-6. The new chip, the L99PM72PXP support partial networking. The L99PM72PXP is a new member in ST's family of power management system ICs. By integrating both High-Speed CAN (HS-CAN) and LIN physical layers, it provides all the functions needed to build up a complete Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for car body applications. Its features are tailored to particular uses such as in climate control modules and door control units, as well as seat modules, trunk and trailer modules, sunroof and rear-view modules.

L99PM72PXP is able to monitor the CAN bus autonomously, without the module's main processor being active. It activates the module only when a correctly addressed wake-up signal is detected. By allowing parts of the CAN network to be deactivated in this way, the L99PM72PXP contributes to reduce overall electrical energy consumption.

L99PM72PXP has built-in features such as supervision of the microcontroller, supply voltages and temperatures to provide protection against causes of failure. In addition, cost-efficient peripheral functions such as high-side and low-side gate drivers, operational amplifiers and voltage regulators reduce the number of external components and lower overall system costs.

"Authorities worldwide are setting progressively tougher environmental performance targets for new cars, and car makers must maximize efficiency throughout the vehicle in order to comply," said Marco Monti, ST Automotive Electronics Division General Manager. "Integrating new partial networking provides a head start of around 2g/km CO2 in the drive to meet the new standards."

The L99PM72PXP is housed in a PowerSSO-36 package and is scheduled for volume production in Q3 2012, priced at $2.95 for orders up to 1000 units. Alternative pricing options may be available for larger order quantities.