Embedded World: Silicon Labs demos mixed signal mcus and development tools

The company is demonstrating high performance USB mcus for a variety of embedded applications; ultra low power mcus and wireless mcus targeting green energy, home automation and security systems; automotive mcus for body electronics; and the company's latest development platforms and integrated development environments designed to simplify and accelerate the design process. Silicon Labs says its demonstrations include a host of new mixed signal solutions and development tools designed to significantly enhance embedded design productivity. Among the products are a series of next generation mixed signal mcus designed to reduce power, cost and complexity for embedded applications such as motor control, industrial monitoring, portable medical, consumer devices and home automation. The new highly integrated, high performance mcu products contain an array of user configurable precision analogue peripherals such as 12bit a/d converters, d/a converters, integrated voltage reference, 5V high drive IOs and USB connectivity. Silicon Labs' new unified development platform (UDP) features interchangeable mcu and radio components and other subsystems. The UDP includes a single motherboard, modular boards, and real estate for prototyping, expansion and system integration. It also supports mcu code and firmware development, rf design and optimisation and an array of network and protocol stacks. Silicon Labs' GUI based application builder software is designed to enable users to create custom software programs graphically without writing a line of code. According to the company, the app builder tool is the centrepiece of its advanced integrated development environment, which is designed to provide a 'one stop shop' source for information such as example projects, data sheets, errata, schematics, pcb footprints, app notes, active version tracking and automatic updates. Described as 'the industry's most energy efficient mcu', the C8051F96x family is based on Silicon Labs' patented low power technology. According to Silicon Labs, the new F96x mcus enable 40% less system current draw and up to 65% longer battery life than competing mcus, making them suitable for smart metering, in home utility monitoring, wireless security, home and building automation, portable medical and asset tracking products. Silicon Labs' Si102x/3x wireless mcus are said to combine the power saving features of the F96x mcus with the company's EZRadioPRO sub-GHz transceiver into a single chip solution. The devices are suitable for battery operated embedded systems requiring energy efficiency and 'industry leading' rf performance. The company is also demonstrating an automotive motor control reference design, based on its automotive grade mcus, qualified and tested to the AEC-Q100 specification and with high temperature operation up to 125°C. The automotive mcus feature LIN 2.1 and CAN 2.0B interfaces, making them suitable for a variety of automotive body electronics such as anti-pinch window lifters, power seats, and networked mirror and door controls.