Automotive

Freescale Introduces Analog ICs for Small Engine Electronic Control Units

20th August 2012
ES Admin
0

Freescale Semiconductor today announced availability of its one-cylinder (MC33813) and two-cylinder (MC33814) electronic control semiconductors for small internal combustion engines for transportation, industrial and consumer applications. These analog integrated circuits for small engine control reduce design complexity, bill of materials and manufacturing costs, while helping shorten the customer’s time to market. Reliability is improved and board space is reduced. The ICs compliment and extend Freescale’s motorcycle engine control unit (ECU) reference platform, which retains the MC9S12 microcontroller but benefits from further integration and improved diagnostic capabilities.

Emission control regulation and fuel economy and environmental concerns drove the first wave of electronic engine control for cars and trucks in the 1980s. The same conditions are fueling innovation in today’s small internal combustion engine market. The small engine market is migrating from carbureted systems to cleaner, more efficient electronic ignition controls and electronic fuel injection (EFI). Engine manufacturers are now able to design smaller, more efficient engine controls that precisely schedule engine events, enabling greater reliability, fuel efficiency and pollution reduction.

“Small engine makers are increasingly deploying electronic engine controls, including EFI or e-Carb and electronic ignition for motor bikes, motor scooters and power equipment, driven by mandated emission reductions and a global desire for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency,” said Gavin Woods, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Analog, Mixed Signal and Power division. “Current solutions rely mainly on discrete components. Freescale’s new analog devices integrate the requirements from the tier one engine ECU developers who supply the leading motorcycle and scooter manufacturers.”

Target applications for the MC33813 and MC33814 include electronic controls for one and two cylinder gasoline motors used in motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and three-wheeled taxis. The devices also can be applied to small engine designs for a wide range of outdoor power equipment, such as lawnmowers, garden tractors, trimmers, edgers, chain saws, snow and leaf blowers, tillers, electrical generators and outboard motors.

The MC33813 is an engine control analog power IC intended for one-cylinder motorcycle and other small engine applications. It consists of five integrated low-side drivers and two pre-drivers.

The MC33814 is intended for two-cylinder engine applications. It consists of six integrated low-side drivers and three pre-drivers.

Both ICs include a variable reluctance sensor (VRS) input circuit, a voltage pre-regulator using an external pass transistor and two five-volt internal regulators (one for the MCU Vcc supply and the other for use as a protected sensor supply). Also included is an MCU reset control circuit with watchdog, an ISO 9141 K Line interface for diagnostic communication and a serial peripheral interface (SPI). The low-side drivers can drive up to two fuel injectors, a lamp, two relays or other loads, such as a fuel pump and a tachometer. The pre-drivers can drive IGBT or MOSFET transistors to control ignition coils and a HEGO heater. The devices are packaged in a 48-pin LQFP with an exposed pad.

The reference ECU design gets the extended capability of two cylinders. Low level drivers will be provided for the MC9S12 MCU family to take advantage of the improved diagnostic reporting via SPI. Software is provided to track crank position, read analog sensors, determine fuel quantity and ignition timing, and schedule ignition coils and fuel injectors. The pin compatible S12EXP calibration device will be retained and a new cost effective Calibration solution using the K-line diagnostics port is in development.

Both the MC33813 and MC33814 are included in the Freescale product longevity program, with a minimum of 15 years of product availability.

Availability and pricing

The MC33813 and MC33814 are now available in sample quantities, with production volumes planned for Q3 2013. Pricing for 10K units is $1.69 (USD) for the MC33813 and $2.06 (USD) for the MC33814. To obtain pricing for larger quantities, please contact a Freescale sales representative.

About the Freescale Technology Forum

Created to drive innovation and collaboration, the Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) has become one of the developer events of the year for the embedded systems industry. The Forum has drawn more than 48,000 attendees at FTF events worldwide since its inception in 2005. The 2012 FTF China event takes place Aug. 14-15 in Beijing.

Featured products

Product Spotlight

Upcoming Events

View all events
Newsletter
Latest global electronics news
© Copyright 2024 Electronic Specifier