Microcontrollers for industrial applications

At the embedded world 2011 conference in Nuremberg (D), Fujitsu Semiconductor Europe presented its complete range of new FM3 microcontrollers to a varied and interested audience under the umbrella term ‘Right-Sized Solutions’. FM3 is the name given to a family of microcontrollers that use the same architecture based on the ARM Cortex-M3 standard processor core, which are available in two versions. The high-performance MB9Bxxx series has a variety of peripheral functions and is suitable for demanding applications in industrial automation, while the basic MB9A100 line is oriented towards applications in areas such as home appliances, consumer products and office automation. The FM3 microcontroller range is also ideally suited for use in medical technology and healthcare applications. The family benefits from Fujitsu's vast experience in implementing ASICs with ARM cores in conjunction with the peripheral functions of its well-known FR microcontrollers, providing developers with exactly those components required for their solutions.

The core of the high-performance series is designed in such a way that it combines outstanding performance with low power consumption. In addition to the peripheral functions of the FR microcontroller family, which have already proven themselves in motor control applications, Fujitsu has implemented a number of further improvements in its peripheral macros in order to satisfy the exacting demands of drive technology. For example, the FM3 family has dedicated encoder inputs for determining rotor position, which reduces the load on the CPU.

In particular, the three independent high precision and very fast 12-bit A/D converters (1.0 µs conversion) with 16 input channels allow accurate sampling, and demonstrate their full potential in high-speed precision motors and other components in automation applications. This means that the FM3 MCUs can control two motors independently of one another. This was shown using an impressive demo application at the Fujitsu stand at the 'embedded world 2011' exhibition.

Together with the USB 2.0 host function of the FM3 microcontrollers, Fujitsu also presented a complete solution for embedded USB, based on the newly developed USB Assistant software. In the case of this tool, special emphasis was placed on ease of use in order to provide developers of embedded systems with a reliable software package, including firmware and configuration tools.

Most of the microcontrollers on the market with the Cortex-M3 core work with 3.6 volts or less, and cannot be used in 5 V systems. With its wide operating voltage range (2.7 to 5.5 V), the FM3 family therefore meets the considerable market demand for microcontrollers operating with 5 V, and should be ideal for applications in manufacturing automation and white goods.

The FM3 microcontrollers have an integrated and very reliable high-speed NOR flash memory (up to 1 MB), which has proven itself over many years and has been continuously improved. The memory is designed for 100,000 write cycles and data storage for up to 20 years. With the fastest write access in its class, zero wait states are possible at up to 60 MHz. The high-speed CPU with flash memory, USB 2.0 host function, CAN, multiple timers and special peripheral macros therefore makes the series of high-performance FM3 microcontrollers the perfect solution for applications such as motor control in automation technology.

The FM3 portfolio will be expanded in future. In addition to other members of the high-performance series, such as derivatives with Ethernet functionality, the first products of the low-power series are expected by the end of the year. These power-saving microcontrollers are optimised especially for use in battery-powered devices. Like all Fujitsu products, FM3 microcontrollers are characterised by their proven reliability and quality. The security of the client's investment is guaranteed by long-term availability of the components and local technical support.