New Toshiba Microcontroller Offers Largest On-Chip SRAM in Its Class
Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) has launched its newest TX03 Series microcontroller (MCU), the TMPM36BF10FG. Based on an ARM® Cortex®-M3 CPU core, the TMPM36BF10FG offers the largest on-chip memory in its class with 1MB flash ROM and 258KB SRAM including 2KB of backup memory. This newest addition to the Toshiba TX03 MCU family supports a wide variety of applications that need to process and store large amounts of data such as energy management systems (EMS), motor control equipment, communication devices, monitors, printers, point-of-sale (POS) terminals and other industrial equipment.
"Demand for larger on-chip memories in microcontrollers is growing dramatically with the development of more sophisticated and complex applications that require much more code, as well as data storage and management," says Andrew Burt, vice president of the Analog and Imaging Business Unit, System LSI Group at TAEC. "One notable emerging growth area is EMS which must handle data measurement, analysis and automated transmission to remote locations—this requires a microcontroller with more embedded memory such as delivered in the new Toshiba TMPM36BF10FG."
The TMPM36BF10FG has a large-capacity memory and a range of serial interfaces required for integrating measurement and communication systems into one chip. The 258KB of embedded SRAM stores system information and a wide range of measured data enabling implementation of middleware and a real-time operating system. The MCU also supports complex data processing such as data privacy protection for communication systems.
In addition, the TMPM36BF10FG incorporates a multi-purpose timer for controlling power devices, like motor applications, so it can also be applied to system control such as motor control, office automation equipment and factory automation. Through optimization of circuit design, the TMPM36BF10FG uses a supply voltage from 2.7V to 3.6V (single supply). Even with its large memory size and many peripherals, the power consumption of the TMPM36BF10FG is just two-thirds that of similar Toshiba MCUs.
The TMPM36BF10FG MCU is pin compatible with the Toshiba TMPM36BFYFG MCU, announced in April 2013, with 256KB flash and 66KB SRAM. Depending on required memory size, either MCU can be selected for a system without having to re-design the printed circuit board. Sample pricing for the TMPM36BF10FG is $6.00 (U.S.) in 1K piece quantity. Mass production is scheduled to begin in September 2013.
