Energy Micro to showcase low power Cortex-M3 customer applications using the world’s most energy-friendly microcontrollers

On show will be products spanning various industry sectors for such diverse uses as dive watches, avalanche monitors, home io-controls and utility meters: Velux, a company well-known for its roof windows and blinds, has selected the EFM32 Giant Gecko microcontroller for the touch screen interface in its award winning ‘Velux Integra’ electric window remote control series. PIEPS GmbH, a long-established Austrian company that is a leader in life saving avalanche transceivers, has designed the EFM32 Cortex-M3 MCU into its top-of-the-range handheld avalanche monitor, the ‘PIEPS VECTOR’, for use by mountaineers and rescue services. Miitors, developing leading edge IP for water meter manufacturers, has worked closely with Energy Micro to create a new standard in smart meter designs using ultrasonic sensors, communication with WMBus and NFC, and the longest operation longevity.

Low power applications like these utilise the EFM32’s low-energy sensor interface (LESENSE) and peripheral reflex system (PRS) to provide autonomous monitoring of sensor inputs while the MCU remains in a sub-microamp Deep Sleep mode. In this way, the EFM32 Gecko devices enable customer designs to achieve the performance they need for responsive wake-on-touch control, routine data collection or wireless communication, in products where minimising energy consumption and preserving battery life is vital.

Energy Micro supports its EFM32 microcontrollers with a range of starter and development kits and visitors to the booth may qualify to receive these free of charge. Other tools that will be on show include its ‘energyAware’ software, which profiles energy usage and helps designers remove energy bugs, and low-power technology demonstrators for capacitive touch and memory LCDs.

Energy Micro places a strong emphasis on education and training and is introducing its online training program. Through a series of short on-demand video modules, this will provide an understanding of the energy-friendly features of the Gecko Technology and a greater insight into the various tools and software, enabling users to really get to grips with their starter or development kits. In addition, Energy Micro is working with its distribution partners to offer customer seminars that provide hands-on experience and an opportunity to ‘meet the experts’. Distributors Avnet-Memec, Codico and Glyn will all be featuring Energy Micro on their booths at Embedded World.