Microchip Tech simplifies motor-control design - PIC18F2439/2539/4439/4539 microcontrollers

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Feb 3, 2003

In order to meet growing demands of integrating software and hardware intelligence into motor control applications, Microchip Technology (Nasdaq:MCHP) has announced a new PIC18F family of four PICmicro Flash microcontrollers (MCUs). Referred to as the PIC18F2439/2539/4439/4539 product family, these devices feature a sophisticated single-phase motor control peripheral that provides a quick-to-market solution for designers trying to simplify motor control integration into their designs.

The sophisticated single-phase (open loop) motor control kernel provides quick and easy development by utilizing standard application programming interfaces (APIs) and uses on-chip pulse-width modulation (PWM) to provide speed control for single-phase induction motors. The PIC18FXX39 family includes Programmable Motor Processor Technology (ProMPT) motor control that provides modulated output over a range of 0 to 127 Hz, and has a pre-defined variable frequency (V/F) curve that can be programmed to suit the application. By using the defined APIs, in addition to the ProMPT functionality, powerful motor control tasks can be realized with little or no previous experience in motor control techniques. Designers will benefit by integrating variable-speed control of a single-phase induction motor, realizing better efficiency, quieter operation, greater range while extending the life of the motor.

"This product launch represents Microchip's continued expansion into the motor-control market, targeting single-phase motor control applications that require variable speed control and more energy efficient operation," said Cheri Keller, product marketing manager of the Advanced Microcontroller and Automotive Division at Microchip. "The PIC18FXX39 family merges all the advantages of the PIC18F architecture and the flexibility of Flash program memory with a sophisticated single-phase motor control kernel that provides a quick solution for engineers with limited motor control expertise."

This family offers the advantages of Microchip's PIC18F MCUs, specifically, high computational performance at an economical price, with the benefits of high-endurance Flash program memory. The PIC18FXX39 family also provides an off-the-shelf solution for simple motor control applications, allowing users to create speed control solutions with small part counts and short development times.

The PIC18FXX39 microcontrollers are pin- and code-compatible with Microchip's current 28- and 40-pin portfolio, allowing designers to re-use software and hardware in existing platforms, thus lowering overall development costs and time-to-market concerns.

In addition to the embedded single phase (open-loop) motor control kernel and self-reprogrammable Flash memory functions, the MCU family features two 10-bit PWMs, 256 bytes of on-board, high-endurance data EEPROM, up to 10 MIPS performance at 40MHz. The PIC18FXX39 also feature three all-purpose 16-bit timers, analog to digital converter (A/D) up to 8 channels, 10-bit resolution, addressable USART module supporting RS485 and RS232, programmable 16-level low-voltage detection module (PLVD) and a wide operating voltage range of 2.0 - 5.5V.

Featuring In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) technology, Microchip's PICmicro Flash devices allow the microcontrollers to be programmed after being placed in a circuit board. This offers tremendous flexibility, reduces development time and manufacturing cycles and improves time to market. ICSP enables reduced cost of field upgrades, system calibration during manufacturing and the addition of unique identification codes to the system and calibration of the system in the field. The devices also support self-programming over the operating voltage range so that the user can program the device in-circuit at the user's operating voltage.

For development, Microchip offers the PIC18F2539 Motor Control Evaluation Kit, MPLAB In-Circuit Debugger (ICD 2) development tool and PRO MATE II, which is a full-featured, modular device programmer. The MPLAB ICD 2 is a powerful, low-cost run-time tool that offers cost-effective in-circuit Flash programming and debugging from the graphical user interface of the MPLAB Integrated Development Environment (IDE) tool. This enables a designer to develop and debug source code by watching variables, single-stepping and setting break points. Running at full speed enables testing hardware in real time.

The PIC18FXX39 devices are ideal for a wide range of industrial, consumer and appliance applications, including vending machines, toasters/grills, dishwashers, hood fans, refrigerators, residential gate openers, bathroom exhaust fans, whirlpool tubs, convection ovens, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), ventilation fans and small pumps.

Available packages include 28-pin SOIC, SDIP, 40-pin PDIP, and 44-lead TQFP and QFN. The PIC18FXX39 family is priced between $4.28 and $5.15 in volume manufacturing quantities depending on device, temperature range, package and operating voltage. Samples and volume-production quantities are available today.