Freescale 8-Bit MCU optimized for industrial and automotive motor control

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Freescale Semiconductor is expanding its embedded motor control portfolio with the introduction of the S08MP16.

This entry-level 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) family provides a safe, accurate and cost-optimized solution for brushless DC (BLDC) motor control applications ranging from industrial drives to automotive fuel pumps.

BLDC motors continue to grow in popularity for consumer, industrial and automotive applications because they offer efficiency and reliability advantages over traditional brushed DC and induction motors. The S08MP16 MCU has been optimized to address this fast-developing motor segment but also can support other motor types, including AC induction.

“Intelligent motor control is key in the effort to reduce global energy consumption, and Freescale has a strong legacy of delivering embedded solutions to address this need,” said Aiden Mitchell, director of Freescale’s Industrial & Multi-Market Microcontroller business.

“The S08MP16 delivers a powerful, yet cost-effective, motor control solution for industrial and automotive applications. And, our complementary analog power products and comprehensive development resources make Freescale a ‘one-stop shop’ for designers looking to simplify their development cycles.”

Safe and reliable control
Multiple, high-speed analog comparators and a powerful 8-channel FlexTimer pulse width modulation (PWM) module provide protection against over-current conditions by enabling fast and accurate motor shutdown.

For household appliances that need to comply with IEC60730 safety standards, an independently clocked watchdog/COP and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) engine deliver clock failure protection and memory content validation.

Rich analog integration
Designers using the S08MP16 benefit from a wide range of on-chip analog peripherals, minimizing the need for external components and helping reduce overall system cost.

Peripherals include a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), multiple analog comparators and a 13-channel, 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with PWM hardware triggering. The PGA enables precise motor control, with high-resolution ADC readings over a wide range of motor loads and speeds.

The hardware dead-time insertion capability of the FlexTimer further improves system accuracy and reduces central processing unit loading when compared with software implementations.

Development resources and expertise
Freescale provides dedicated application support, including hardware reference designs, application notes and software algorithms and libraries covering all motor control topologies. In addition, Freescale’s regional motor control centers of excellence provide application support from concept to delivery.

To help reduce time-to-market, a low-cost demonstration board (DEMO9S08MP16) is available for immediate device evaluation. The board comes with a complimentary version of the CodeWarrior IDE up to 32 KB, with the Processor Expert rapid application tool.

Freescale also offers complementary analog devices for motor control system solutions, including the MC33937 3-phase FET pre-driver and MC33880/87 and MC33926/32 H-bridges.