austriamicrosystems announces industry’s first FlexRay transceiver for high temperature automotive apps

UNTERPREMSTAETTEN, AUSTRIA: austriamicrosystems, a leading global designer and manufacturer of high-performance analog ICs has announced the AS8222 FlexRay transceiver. This transceiver, with an in-package maximum ambient temperature of 150°C and bare dice with a maximum temperature of 165°C is the first to be able to work in harsh, high temperature powertrain applications. This extended temperature range enables the use of FlexRay in every vehicle domain, especially in environments beyond the standard automotive requirements.

FlexRay is an automotive network communications protocol designed to be faster and more reliable than CAN. These transceivers provide the interface between the digital logic and the copper cable transmission lines. With transmission rates up to 10 Mbit/s, FlexRay provides 20 times the speed of the unshielded twisted copper cable used in cars today. FlexRay is fault tolerant and time triggered, providing dependable delivery of messages for safety applications.

The AS8222 is a single FlexRay transceiver with a battery supply connection and FlexRay bus wake-up functionality, and conforms to the FlexRay standard v2.1 rev B. austriamicrosystems’ AS8222 provides various bus and failure diagnostics, making it optimal for high-speed automotive bus systems and safety-critical applications.

The excellent performance for electromagnetic immunity results in network designs with high robustness against external disturbances. Key safety and protection features of the AS8222 FlexRay transceiver include an optional interface for a two-wire bus-guardian or supervision circuits, automatic thermal shutdown protection and short circuit protection. Designing with the AS8222 is simplified as it supports 12 and 24 V systems with very low sleep current and is compatible with a wide range of microcontrollers running at 2.5, 3, 3.3, and 5 V.

“austriamicrosystems has affirmed its commitment to provide innovative products for the automotive industry with the industry’s first high temperature FlexRay enhanced standard transceiver,” noted Bernd Gessner, austriamicrosystems’ VP and GM, Automotive BU. “The AS8222 FlexRay transceiver enhances vehicle safety by providing superior system stability and the interoperability necessary for critical powertrain applications.”

The first customer project with the AS8222 will move into mass production by end of 2012. The AS8222 FlexRay transceiver is available in an SSOP20 package with an ambient temperature range of -40 to +150 °C. For added flexibility, it is also available as bare dice with a temperature range of -40 to 165°C.