Electronics Weekly - Microchip Embedded Controllers, Synopsys USB Verification IP & More

Microchip Embedded Controller Families

(Image courtesy of Microchip Technology.)

Microchip Technology has released the MEC17XX and MEC14XX families of embedded controllers with enhanced Serial Peripheral Interface (eSPI). Both families support the eSPI bus technology that is required for upcoming computing applications. The MEC17XX line is based on an ARM Cortex-M4F core and has hardware-accelerated cryptography algorithms to support the secure boot of a computer.

The series offers several additional features including two UARTS and an extended industrial operating temperature range that make the series ideal for industrial computing. In addition, Microchip’s MIPS-based MEC14XX series has been expanded to include functionality for supporting the eSPI Slave Attached Flash (SAF) feature, which allows the embedded controller to be directly connected to an SPI Flash memory using an on-board master controller.

Information concerning pricing and availability can be found on Microchip’s website.

Microsemi Serval-T Ethernet Switch

(Image courtesy of Microsemi.)

Microsemi has announced the Serval-T Ethernet switch product line, which provides nanosecond accurate IEEE 1588 solutions that can meet next-generation 5G network as well as location-based service requirements. This device series, which includes Serval-T (VSC7415), Serval-TE (VSC7435) and Serval-TE10 (VSC7437), integrates Microsemi's Carrier Ethernet Switch capabilities with an on-chip phase-locked loop (PLL).

The devices feature a combination of 1GE, 2.5GE and 10GE, making them ideal for access communication equipment such as mobile backhaul, small cell and Ethernet access device (EAD)/network interface device (NID). The products utilizes a virtualized service aware architecture (ViSAA)—a silicon implementation that is differentiated by hardware-based Ethernet service—and also provides operation, administration and maintenance, service activation testing and protection switching capabilities. They also offer low power, translating to cost savings for service providers, as well as the small size necessary to accommodate outdoor and other installation constraints.

For more information, visit Microsemi’s website.

RS Components Low-Power Vacuum Tube

(Image courtesy of RS Components.)

RS Components has introduced miniaturised and high-performance vacuum tube technology. The Nutube vacuum tube device was developed by KORG, in cooperation with Noritake Itron Corp., and generates the same rich harmonics familiar to millions of tube amplifier users around the world.

The Nutube is similar to a conventional vacuum tube: it has an anode grid filament structure and operates in exactly the same way as a triode vacuum tube. In fact, it also offers twin triodes in a single package as a modern alternative to the classic 12AX7 twin-triode vacuum tube used in many amplifier applications. The Nutube is also similar to a vacuum tube in the way it creates the same characteristic rich overtones. However, KORG has applied vacuum fluorescent display technology during the development cycle and has devised a structure that achieves a variety of operational and functional improvements compared with conventional vacuum tubes.

For more information, visit RS Components’ website.

Synopsys USB 3.2 Verification IP and Test Suite

(Image courtesy of Synopsys.)

Synopsys has announced the availability of the verification IP (VIP) and UVM source code test suite to support the USB 3.2 specification. USB 3.2 enables new hosts and devices with USB Type-C to be designed as multi-lane solutions, allowing for up to two lanes of 5 Gbps or two lanes of 10 Gbps operation, doubling the data rate over the existing USB Type-C cables. It also supports re-timer enhancements.

“The USB 3.2 specification is an incremental update that defines multi-lane operation for new USB 3.2 hosts and devices with continued use of existing SuperSpeed USB physical layer data rates and encoding techniques,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and COO. “Being first in industry, Synopsys VIP for USB 3.2 strengthens the ecosystem and facilitates early adoption and fast development of higher-performance USB designs.”

Additional technical specifications are available on Synopsys’ website.

TI Ultrasonic Sensing Microcontrollers for Smart Water Meters

(Image courtesy of Texas Instruments.)

Texas Instruments (TI) has unveiled a line of MSP430 microcontrollers (MCUs) with an integrated ultrasonic sensing analog front end that enables smart water meters to deliver higher accuracy and lower power consumption. In addition, TI introduced two reference designs that make it easier to design modules for adding automated meter reading (AMR) capabilities to existing mechanical water meters.

The MSP430FR6047 MCU family lets developers take advantage of a complete waveform capture feature and analog-to-digital converter (ADC)-based signal processing. This technique enables more accurate measurement, with a precision of 25 picoseconds or better, even at flow rates less than 1 liter per hour.

In addition, the MSP430FR6047 devices reduce water meter system component count by 50 percent and power consumption by 25 percent, enabling a meter to operate without having to charge the battery for 10 or more years. The MCUs also integrate a low-energy accelerator module for advanced signal processing, 256 KB of ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), a liquid crystal display (LCD) driver and a metering test interface.

For more information, visit TI’s website.

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