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Product category: Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006) | Subject: TMS320LF2401A and TMS320LC2401A
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 23 June 2004

Digital signal controllers
go down in price

The Flash-based TMS320LF2401A and ROM-based TMS320LC2401A digital signal controllers are now available at lower prices, including the LC2401A for as low as $1.95 in high volumes

Helping OEMs to meet size and cost restrictions while bringing real-time processing to their designs, the Flash-based TMS320LF2401A and ROM-based TMS320LC2401A digital signal controllers are now available at lower prices, including the LC2401A for as low as $1.95 in high volumes. These devices bring TI's leading digital signal processing (DSP) technology to a variety of embedded control applications ranging from white goods to power tools to industrial automation.

The LF2401A and the pin compatible LC2401A, at only 7 x 7mm, process 40MIPS and are ideal for space constrained applications that need the power and integration that DSP technology offers, and the control peripheral set and ease of use of a microcontroller.

Industrial operator interfaces increase safety by requiring the user to activate pushbuttons that keep hands away from moving equipment.

However, traditional pushbuttons require repetitive force to operate and can lead to fatigue and strain related injuries.

Rockwell's Zero-Force Touch Buttons use independent, embedded sensors to convert an operator's touch into an electrical output that initiates operation when hands or fingers are placed over the button.

The buttons also use precise capacitive sensor timing combined with a complex algorithm driven by the LF2401A to discriminate between a person's touch and a foreign substance, such as clothing, fluid films or splashes that could lead to accidental equipment operation.

'We needed a processor that could handle this complex task and algorithm, as well as meet our strict size restrictions for our Zero-Force Touch Button device', said Rachael Karisny, Senior Marketing Engineer, Rockwell Automation.

'The LF2401A was the only embedded processor that met these requirements along with the price, service and support that we needed'.

The LF2401A also enables Vectrix, the designer of electric scooters, to implement advanced motor control functions such as tuning the motor by controlling its phase angle and providing power factor correction which improves electric motor efficiency.

These functions, which would be difficult if not impossible to implement using analogue circuitry or a standard MCU, enhance the scooter's driving and mileage performance, and the programmability of the controller makes it possible to tune the system for motors made by different suppliers.

Significant advancements in the appliance industry are also attributed to the LF2401A controller, which is being used by Merloni Elettrodomestici in Europe, a leading manufacturer of white goods.

TI's DSP-based controllers have helped to substantially reduce noise levels and improve the washing efficiency of Merloni's Super Silent line of washing machines.

Using TI's powerful embedded controller, Merloni implemented a more efficient three-phase AC motor using a field oriented control technique.

This software control technique maximises torque and more effectively controls speeds based on the motor's load and allows the washing machine to run more quietly and offer higher efficiency while using a lower cost and smaller motor.

The LF2401A controller offers 8Kword of sectored reprogrammable Flash memory for quicker development and in-field re-programmability.

The LC2401A offers 8Kword ROM memory, allowing designers to leverage the same features in a lower cost ROM package.

Both devices feature a 32bit encrypted password option for protection against reverse engineering.

Peripherals include a fast five-channel analogue to digital converter (ADC) with a 500 nanosecond conversion time, watchdog timer, an event manager with time-based PWM generation, QEP and capture inputs, and timers.

Communications are available through a serial communications interface and 13 general-purpose I/O channels.

There are 25 digital signal controllers in the C2000 platform designed for virtually all control applications from sub-$2 to 150MIPS.

Along with industry leading silicon, TI provides designers with application-focused hardware and software tools designed to speed time to market, and a full array of complementary analogue solutions designed to work with all C2000 controllers.

The LF2401A controller with flash memory and LC2401A with ROM memory are available for $2.95 and $1.95, respectively, in high volumes.

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