AEC-Q100 qualified MCUs integrate on-chip EtherCAT

Infineon is the first semiconductor company to offer the EtherCAT node integrated on an ARM Cortex-M-based MCU with on-chip Flash and analogue/mixed signal capability. The XMC4800 series will comprise at least 18 members varying in memory capacity, temperature range and packaging.

The XMC4800 series is a member of the XMC4000 family which uses the ARM Cortex-M4 processor and was specifically developed for use in the automation of manufacturing and buildings as well as electric drives and solar inverters. The XMC4800 series offers a seamless upgrade path to EtherCAT technology with pin and code compatibility to the established XMC4000 microcontrollers. The XMC4800 enables the use of EtherCAT under the harsh condition of up to 125°C ambient temperature.

With the integration of the EtherCAT functionality the XMC4800 enables the most compact design without need for a dedicated EtherCAT ASIC, external memory and clock crystal. It offers a 144MHz CPU, up to 2MB of embedded Flash memory, 352KB of RAM and a comprehensive range of peripheral and interface functions. The peripherals include four parallel fast 12-bit ADC modules, two 12-bit DACs, four ΔΣ demodulator modules, six capture/compare units (CCU4 and CCU8), and two positioning interface modules.

In addition to its EtherCAT functionality, its communication functions comprise interfaces for Ethernet, USB, and SD/MMC. Also, the XMC4800 series offers six CAN nodes, six serial communication channels and one external bus interface for communication. The three package options are LQFP-100, LQFP-144 and LFBGA-196.

“The XMC4800 series simplifies the implementation of EtherCAT to a degree the market desired for years but has not seen available until now,” says Maurizio Skerlj, Senior Director, Industrial and Multimarket MCUs, Infineon. “With the XMC4800, very compact system designs with EtherCAT connectivity are possible, as there is no need for a dedicated EtherCAT ASIC, external memory and clock crystal. In combination with its outstanding real-time capability, the XMC4800 series will accelerate the evolution of networked industrial automation.”

“The Infineon XMC4800 MCUs will surely be welcomed by the EtherCAT community. Vendors will benefit from the extensive range of peripherals on this EtherCAT chip, reducing BOM. Furthermore, the extended temperature range will further accelerate the EtherCAT adoption in mobile machines.” added Martin Rostan, Executive Director, EtherCAT Technology Group.

Samples of the series XMC4800 with EtherCAT technology will be available in August 2015. Start of volume production is scheduled for Q1 2016. As with all members of the XMC families, the XMC4800 will be supported by Infineon’s free, integrated development platform DAVE. Furthermore, Infineon collaborates with various third party tool partners ready to support the XMC4800 series.