Energy Micro adds low energy sensor interface

electronica 2010, MUNICH, GERMANY & OSLO, NORWAY: Energy Micro has added a generic low energy sensor interface to its EFM32 microcontroller product family. The LESENSE function block enables autonomous monitoring of up to 16 external sensors in the microcontroller’s sub-microamp Deep Sleep mode.

Able to run independently of the EFM32’s ARM Cortex-M3 core, LESENSE can be used to create highly integrated, ultra low power, sensor solutions. Particularly suitable for battery operated systems, the sensor interface is designed to operate with virtually any type of analog sensor control scheme, including capacitive, inductive and resistive types.

Among a variety of uses, LESENSE can be configured to support autonomous capacitive touch pad- and slider based products, and gas and water metering products relying on inductive rotation sensors.

Geir Førre, President and CEO of Energy Micro said, “The existing EFM32 Gecko microcontroller family is already a world leader in terms of its low energy consumption and the range of energy saving features it provides designers with. LESENSE is yet another unique innovation that really supports energy friendly design and significantly helps extend battery life.”

The LESENSE function block will first be made available in Energy Micro’s Tiny Gecko microcontroller family, sampling and in volume during Q1’2011. Pin and software compatible with the bigger Gecko microcontrollers, the Tiny Gecko provides users with a wide range of low power peripheral function blocks, including an 8-channel, 12-bit ADC using 350µA at full resolution and 1Msamples/sec conversion rate, and a low energy UART consuming as little as 150nA, and a new 8x20 segment LCD controller.

Later in 2011, the Giant Gecko microcontroller family, offering Flash up to 1MB and USB connectivity, will also include the new LESENSE functionality.