8bit microcontrollers make more of CAN systems

Two new 8bit AVR Flash microcontrollers feature extended Controller Area Network capabilities.

Atmel Corp has released the AT90CAN32 and the AT90CAN64, 8bit AVR Flash microcontrollers with extended CAN (Controller Area Network) capabilities.

These new devices combine 16MIPS processing speed with a rich feature set and an unmatched in-application programming (IAP) capability.

They are perfectly suited for many CAN networking and industrial applications, including lifts, escalators, door modules in transportation and factory automation (I/Os, sensors and battery chargers).

Pin-to-pin compatible with Atmel's 128Kbyte AVR CAN microcontroller (AT90CAN128), the AT90CAN32/64 devices integrate in a single chip, a V2.0A/V2.0B CAN controller, a 32/64Kbyte Flash program memory, a 2/4Kbyte RAM, and a 1/2Kbyte on-chip EEPROM.

With a 16MIPS AVR RISC-engine, the AT90CAN32/64 devices offer designers a performance equivalent to a 16bit microcontroller at the price of a standard 8bit device for their industrial control applications.

The on-chip CAN controller can handle 15 independent message objects, programmable on-the-fly, and dynamically assign them to the reception, transmission or reception buffers in case of multiple CAN frames.

Extensive masking, filtering and buffering of CAN frames reduces the host processor load.

A large portion of the AT90CAN32/64 processing speed and memory remains available for the application while a complete higher layer protocol stack (CANopen, DeviceNet or J1939) runs on the chip.

An interrupt accelerator engine informs the CPU of critical messages without running a software scan routine, minimising the overhead impact on real time event applications.

A highly flexible IAP capability, via CAN, UART or SPI, allows remote programming and field upgrades.

Atmel's IAP allows users to simply reprogram any CAN node through the CANbus, without disturbing the CANbus exchanges, or interrupting the running system.

In comparison, other so-called IAP capabilities available on the market require a manual operation to stop the system, to shift the system to the programming mode and to restart it.

Atmel offers a library of IAP routines as well as running Bootloader examples to customers wanting to build their own bootloaders, thereby reducing overall development time and thus time to market.

AT90CAN32/64 peripherals include 16bit timers with enhanced pulsewidth modulation capabilities, a powerful 10bit/eight-channel A/D convertor and several serial interfaces.

A wide operating voltage range (2.7-5.5V) plus five low-power management modes optimise the application power consumption.

Manish Vadher, Atmel's Marketing Director said: "After a successful introduction of the AT90CAN128 AVR CAN microcontroller, Atmel is now expanding the AVR CAN family".

"The AT90CAN32/64 are highly cost-effective solutions and fully compatible with the larger AT90CAN128".

"These new AVRs with a CAN controller offer an unrivalled feature set and confirm our commitment to the CAN networking market".

The stand-alone development kit, ATDVK90CAN1, is available for $115.

This allows the user to start a development and then easily port the software onto an application.

It can be used to evaluate the performance as well as to demonstrate CAN features.

With the kit, Atmel also provides a C-code driver library for all peripherals including the CAN-driver and various program examples.

Atmel's AT90CAN128 starter kits, which include the ATSTK500/501 and the ATADAPCAN01 also offer an easy way to get started with the new AT90CAN32/64 devices.

AT90CAN32/64 samples are available now in TQFP and QFN 64-pin packages in industrial temperature range.

AT90CAN32 production volumes are expected in December 2005, and in March 2006 for the AT90CAN64.

Pricing for 10,000 units is $4.5 per unit for the AT90CAN32, and will be $5 for the AT90CAN64.

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