Programmable solenoid controller reduces emissions

15th January 2014

Nat Bowers

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Datasheet

Helping automakers comply with recent worldwide government regulations for improved fuel efficiency and new emissions standards, Freescale Semiconductor announce the MC33816 programmable solenoid controller. Designed to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency for petrol and diesel direct fuel injection engines, the controller also suits driving dual clutch transmissions and precision solenoids in factory automation applications.

Integrating four μCores, the MC33816 enables four parallel tasks to run independently of the main system microcontroller. This results in a response time which is up to 16 times faster than traditional architectures, enabling improved engine efficiency with precise fuel delivery. This can significantly reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. The functional integration of the programmable solenoid controller enables a significantly lower BOM, and also provides the flexibility and scalability required to be easily integrated into virtually any engine system. This includes petrol (gasoline), diesel, flex-fuel and even LNG engines, regardless of the number of cylinders.

Additionally, the controller operates from a 9-32V continuous supply and features precision peak and hold drive capability, integrated DC/DC boost converter control circuitry and a choice of four programmable slew rates (12.5-300V/uS). Operating over a temperature range from -40 to +125°C, the MC33816 controller provides embedded encryption and microcode protection to inhibit reverse engineering and help safeguard system IP and software.

“Increasingly stringent fuel efficiency standards require highly advanced analog technologies like the intelligent MC33816 device. This new programmable solenoid controller can help automotive OEMs and their suppliers meet efficiency and emissions goals, while providing a reliable, high-performance system solution that supports advanced diagnostic functionality, faster response times, and optimal programmability,” comments James Bates, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Analog and Sensors business, Freescale.

Freescale provides the KIT33816AEEVM evaluation board for $216 (USD) to utilise functions of the controller. The embedded functions of the MC33816 can be demonstrated with Freescale software with SPI generator. With a suggested resale price starting at $3.06 (USD) in 100,000 unit quantities, the MC33816 programmable solenoid controller is available now in a 10x10x1.4mm 64-pin LQFP-EP package.