HEILBRONN, Germany /PRNewswire/ -- Atmel Corp., a global leader in the development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced the availability of the ATA6602 and ATA6603 multichip modules, extending Atmel's current broad IC family for local interconnect network (LIN) applications. These new devices are designed for automotive actuator applications typically found in comfort electronics (e.g., a window lifter or a mirror or seat adjuster) as well as in powertrain applications. Due to their very small size, the ATA6602 and ATA6603 are also ideal for sensor node applications, such as control panels, air quality and rain/sun sensors, and many more.
Using a multichip-module approach, these two ICs combine an 8-bit AVR microcontroller (MCU) and a LIN system basis chip (LIN SBC) in a single package (i.e., a system-in-package, or SiP) without internal connections. As a result, the ATA6602/ATA6603 ICs offer the highest integration level, including microcontroller, voltage regulator, LIN transceiver, and watchdog in one package, covering the complete basic functionality of a LIN node. These products achieve minimum space requirements; shorter time to market due to the simpler system design; and lower sourcing, logistics, and assembly cost.
The ATA6602 integrates the automotive-qualified ATmega88 AVR Flash MCU, with 8 KB of flash memory, whereas the ATA6603 incorporates the automotive-qualified ATmega168 with 16 KB of flash memory.
The LIN SBCs within the new ATA6602 and ATA6603 modules incorporate the LIN transceiver, an advanced voltage regulator, and a watchdog timer. They are manufactured using Atmel's own high-voltage BCDMOS (a mixed-signal technology with bipolar, CMOS, and DMOS components) process for operation in harsh environments. Thanks to its silent mode, the LIN SBC provides very low power consumption (40 µA, with activated voltage regulator). In addition, the LIN SBC provides high immunity against electro-static discharge and electro-magnetic compatibility; various protection functions; and a unique, broad input/output voltage range (–40 to 60V) for the LIN bus pin, which is ideal for use in truck applications.
Since the ATA6602 and ATA6603 incorporate AVR microcontrollers with all pins bonded out, Atmel's standard AVR tools can be used during the development phase. This includes, for example, the AVR Studio, which is the new professional integrated development environment for writing and debugging AVR applications. AVR Studio includes an assembler, as well as a simulator, and supports the integration of the freeware GNU C compiler. It can be downloaded for free from the company's Web site. For on-chip debugging, the AVR JTAGICE mkII can be used. It is a powerful development and debugging tool supporting the debugWIRE interface, which enables the designers to debug the ATA6602 and ATA6603 on-chip, using only a single wire for the debug interface. A LIN protocol handler is also available. In addition, a LIN software library for GCC and an IAR C compiler are available for free.
Pricing and Availability
Samples of the new ATA6602/ATA6603 in QFN48 (7 by 7 mm) packages are available now. Pricing starts at $1.87 (ATA6602) for 10k pieces and $1.99 (ATA6603) for 10k pieces.
About Atmel
Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers; advanced logic; and mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory, and radio frequency components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing, and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are.
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Information
Product information on the ATA6602 can be found on the company's Web site, and data on the ATA6603 can also be retrieved from the Web.