32-bit Digital Signal Controller for $3.25 from TI

21st November 2006

ES Admin

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Delivering a clear path to innovative and cost-effective industrial control applications like digital power conversion, motor control and advanced sensing, Texas Instruments has announced volume availability of four low-cost TMS320F280xx digital signal processor-based controllers. The TMS320F28015 and F28016 digital signal controllers offer 60 MHz of performance starting as low as $3.25 (in 1Ku quantities); TMS320F2801-60 and F2802-60 controllers also offer 60 MHz of performance and are based on the current TMS320F2801 and F2802 devices. As designers consider upgrading existing microcontroller- (MCU) based designs, TI’s F280xx controllers now offer a portfolio of eleven software and pin-for-pin compatible devices with 32-bit DSP performance combined with the peripheral integration and ease-of-use of an MCU.

All F280x-based devices feature a 32-bit wide data path for superior performance and mixed 16/32-bit instruction set for improved code density. These devices offer extraordinary system integration by providing complete control system capabilities from signal input through the on-chip,12-bit analog to digital converter (ADC), quadrature encoder pulse (QEP) interfaces, and timer captures and compares through signal output with up to ten independent pulse width modulation (PWM) channels. Depending on the device, communication interfaces include CAN, I2C, UART and SPI ports. The TMS320F28016 device is the lowest cost digital signal controller with integrated CAN communications. Long used in automotive networks, CAN is ideal for industrial applications that are susceptible to high noise levels and offer error detection and error handling for highly reliable communications within a system.

F280x controllers' patent-pending 150 picosecond (ps) resolution high resolution PWM (HRPWM) provides 16 bits of accuracy in a 100 KHz control loop and 12 bits at 1.5 MHz, resulting in designs with cleaner power output, higher power density, smaller magnetics and more compact, cooler supplies. These benefits are vital in applications such as AC/DC rectifiers requiring high tolerances and faster transient response with small ripple amplitude. For motor control applications like white goods and automotive, overall system costs can be reduced through integration and lower device cost while leveraging the 32-bit performance necessary to implement advanced control techniques. Processor-intensive, sensorless vector control helps developers reduce the power electronics required and the size and cost of a system’s motors.

For TI customer Adaptive Networks, adopting TI’s TMS320F28x™ controller platform provided a cost-effective means bring to their powerline communication (PLC) technology to new networked industrial, utility, and commercial control and monitoring applications in industrial and other rugged environments, including utility metering and lighting control.

“The F28x™ controller-based PowerConnect product line offers our customers greater flexibility and the ability to integrate their applications with our field-tested PLC technology for robust network communications through powerlines over distances up to 50 kilometers,” said Michael Propp, president and founder of Adaptive Networks. “The F28x device's control-optimized signal processing performance and system-level integration open up a new range of control, monitoring and metering applications at the right price point.”

All four controllers are AEC Q100 automotive qualified in 100-pin LQFP packaging and are available in production quantities. Developers can use the TMS320F2808 eZdsp Development Kit (TMDSEZS2808) to program all four of the controllers. It is available today for $495 from TI authorized distributors.