austriamicrosystems unveils AS8650 SBC for automotive apps

UNTERPREMSTAETTEN, AUSTRIA: austriamicrosystems has announced the AS8650 smart power management System Basis Chip (SBC) which is the first to combine a DC-DC converter and a high-speed transceiver on one high-performance analog device.

The AS8650 features high efficiency of 85% minimum over all operation use-cases and high integration reduces cost, space and development time for engine control units (ECU) with a high-speed CAN interface.

The AS8650 SBC includes three LDOs (low-drop-out voltage regulators) with programmable outputs from 1.8 V to 3.3 V. Each LDO is powered by the embedded DC-DC converter which can supply up to 500 mA to power the microcontroller, sensors, actuators and other components.

Integrating the DC-DC converter dramatically reduces power losses compared with commonly used voltage regulators that convert the automotive battery voltage to 5 volts. In order to enable individual voltage supplies, three programmable LDOs are embedded in the chip.

The AS8650 also includes a highly flexible watchdog unit with three monitory timing functions -- startup, window and shutdown -- which allow the timing to be changed, and features to be enabled via either SPI or I²C settings.

The AS8650 System Basis Chip provides a high-speed CAN interface for up to 1 Mbps communications and conforms to ISO 11898. In addition, the IC can enter into operation mode via a remote wake-up sequence on the CAN bus lines or with the local wake-up pin. Other features include brown-out indication, output voltage monitoring, remote and local wake-up, and automatic thermal shutdown protection.

Harald Gall, Automotive Marketing Manager at austriamicrosystems, stated: “With the AS8650, designers have an SBC for automotive control units that offers high integration and high efficiency in one IC. Designed for high-end power management for next-generation automotive applications, the AS8650 is the first smart power management device of a planned family. A pin-compatible IC with a LIN interface will follow in 2011. Alternative solutions require more space and development time or are not able to optimize power losses.”

Specified over an operating temperature range of -40 to +105°C, the AS8650 is offered in a lead-free 36-pin 6 x 6 mm QFN package.

The AS8650 is sampling now and costs $5.00 in 1000 piece quantities. Production is targeted for Q1 2011.