Fujitsu Releases 44 New FM3 32-bit Microcontrollers

FM3 is a family of 32-bit microcontrollers that employs the ARM Cortex-M3 global-standard processor core. It also incorporates a wide variety of peripheral features that have been developed through Fujitsu’s years of experience in refining its FR core microcontrollers. In terms of existing markets for 32-bit and 16-bit microcontrollers, the FM3 family will offer the High-Performance(1) MB9BF500/400/300/100 series for the 32-bit market, which demands high-speed performance, and the Basic(2) MB9AF100 series for the 16-bit market, which requires superior cost-performance and low power consumption.

The FM3 family, which employs the high-performance ARM Cortex-M3 core, combines Fujitsu’s wealth of experience in implementing ASIC products using ARM cores with the peripheral features from its FR microcontroller family, which has gained broad market acceptance. As an initial offering, Fujitsu will begin volume production of a total of 44 products from both the high-performance and basic product lines.

The product line-up has been enhanced to include models for use in various sectors, from high-performance applications that require advanced control, such as factory automation systems, to basic applications, such as major home appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), digital consumer devices and office automation equipment.

Samples of the new chips will begin shipping from late November 2010, with volume to ramp in January 2011.

Fujitsu will propose proprietary solutions, through collaborations with approximately 700 third-party ARM vendors both inside and outside of Japan, as well as strengthening its technical support department and technical sales units. Moreover, Fujitsu will contribute to the development of its customers’ products by establishing technical support units at 18 locations outside of Japan in order to enhance its global support structure.

1. High-Performance MB9BF500/400/300/100 series

The High-Performance MB9BF500/400/300/100 Series is based on a core designed to enable superior processing performance while consuming less power. The series features peripheral functions that have been cultivated through the FR family of microcontrollers and have been optimised for the uses in servo control for factory automation applications and in inverter control, to increase system power efficiency.

Through its high-speed CPU and flash memory, the microcontrollers can respond with zero wait-states up to 60MHz. In addition, through its high-speed 12-bit A/D converter (1.0μs), as well as its various timers, USB2.0 Host/Function, CAN, and ability to operate with a wide range of power supplies (2.7V to 5.5V), the microcontrollers offer a perfect motor solution for use in servo control for factory automation applications.



2. Basic MB9AF100 series

The Basic MB9AF100 series features limited versions of the advanced peripheral functions of the high-performance product line, as well as power saving technology. Optimised primarily for major home appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, digital consumer devices and office automation equipment), the performance of this series is higher than that of conventional 16-bit microcontrollers.

Features of the FM3 family

High-reliability, high-speed flash memory is among the industry’s fastest
The microcontrollers include embedded high-speed, high-reliability NOR flash memory, which boasts a long track record and years of refinement. The memory is designed for 100,000 write cycles and can retain data for up to 20 years. Featuring among the fastest memory access in its class, it can respond with zero wait-states up to 60MHz.

Peripheral macros for high-precision motor control
In addition to including peripheral features from Fujitsu’s FR microcontroller family, which has a proven reputation in motor control applications, Fujitsu has implemented a wide variety of newly-improved peripheral macros in order to meet the needs of high-precision motor control.

In particular, equipped with a high-precision and high-speed, 3-unit, 12-bit A/D converter (+/-2 lsb, 1.0μs conversion) on up to 16 channels, the microcontroller’s high-precision sampling enables fine-tuned motor control and demonstrates its true potential when employed with high-precision, high-speed servo motors and other equipment in factory automation applications.

Although the rotational position of the motor has conventionally been detected through software using the CPU, the FM3 family includes a new motor rotational position sensing counter, enabling automatic detection and making it possible to reduce the CPU workload. Employing this product makes it possible to reduce the amount of power consumed by inverter systems.

Applicable in a wide range of applications using different power supply systems
The FM3 family is able to operate from 2.7-5.5V power supplies. Most microcontrollers using Cortex-M3 cores operate from a 3.6V supply or lower, so cannot be used in 5V systems. The FM3 family of microcontrollers, on the other hand, meets the market’s strongly-rooted need for microcontrollers that operate on 5V, making them ideal for applications such as factory automation equipment and major home appliances.