Product category: Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs
News Release from: 2001 Electronic Components | Subject: Semtech SH3000 MicroBuddy
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 24 February 2003

MicroBuddy mops up support circuitry

The Semtech SH3000 MicroBuddy is a novel microcontroller companion IC that integrates a complete suite of support functions aimed at simplifying system design

The Semtech SH3000 MicroBuddy is a microcontroller companion IC that integrates a complete suite of support functions aimed at simplifying system design, lowering system cost, reducing circuit board real-estate, increasing functionality, and dramatically cutting power consumption in most applications.

This unique device, which can be used with any microprocessor, microcontroller, DSP, or ASIC combines a low-Vdd and power-on reset function, watchdog timer, clock management system, real-time clock, and wake-up timer all in a 16-lead microleaded (MLP) package.

The device measures a mere 3 x 3 x 0.9 mm.

MicroBuddy's low-Vdd reset is preconfigured to 2.7V, and is software programmable from 2.3 to 4.4V.

It features active high and active low reset outputs, unsurpassed stability and 6ms reset time.

The short reset time is possible since the built-in clock management system starts to supply a stable clock before reset is released.

The watchdog timer provides timeout periods from 7.8125ms to 1s or 256 to 32768 cycles of the processor's clock.

Software security is enhanced over systems that use ordinary watchdog timers that simply look for a toggle on an I/O pin.

This is achieved by the need to keep the watchdog inactive by alternating periodic write operations.

Should the watchdog time out, it resets the target microcontroller.

The clock management system, which replaces a crystal or ceramic resonator, features a frequency synthesiser, which can be set to 32 kHz or any frequency from 62.5kHz to 16MHz with 2kHz resolution.

MicroBuddy maintains a +/-0.5% frequency stability over the full temperature range with no external components.

Additionally, it can be locked to the 32.768 kHz crystal of the real-time clock system for +/-256ppm accuracy.

The SH3000 senses when the micro issues a stop command and stops the clock automatically.

For controllers that lack the ability to stop their own oscillator, MicroBuddy can be commanded to stop its clock.

When the wake-up timer expires the clock restarts near instantaneously (maximum 2us), at the exact frequency without any settling or instability, and the host processor resumes operations.

This feature can produce dramatic reduction of power consumption and is not available on any other IC.

The real-time clock features a 170 year calendar, resolution to 1/256s, and accuracy of +/-2min per year at room temperature.

The frequency of the 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator can be tuned with resolution of +/-4ppm.

The programmable wake-up timer, which helps reduce power consumption, ranges from 30.5us to 36.4h with 30.5us resolution.

It can be used to produce periodic interrupts or alarms that wake up the host micro.

Offering a range of functions that outstrip those of competitive devices, the SH3000 MicroBuddy will find applications in a broad spectrum of micro-driven products including portable devices, home automation and security systems, consumer products, utility monitoring equipment, networking and industrial applications.

Samples, evaluation kit and prototyping boards are available from 2001 Electronic Components.

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