Integrated lcd controller lowers system cost

The integration, adds the mcu specialist, also provides ultra low power consumption for applications including smart meters, home automation, power tools and other applications that require a user interface. According to Atnel, the lcd controller integrates all the features required to run a segment in an lcd display. The devices also include a SWAP mode designed to enable internal rerouting of the lcd signals, reducing the complexity of pcb design. The AVR XMEGA microcontrollers utilise Atmel's picoPower technology, said to result in ultra low power consumption. The new devices use less than a third of the current compared to existing megaAVR lcd controllers and require 3µA to run the lcd display in sleep mode. The integrated lcd controller supports up to 4 x 40 and 4 x 25 segments on the 100pin and 64pin mcus respectively. For designs that don't require all the lcd segments, up to 16 segment pins can be used as general purpose I/O pins. "Integration and lower system cost are key differentiators for mcu designers in a variety of applications," said Ingar Fredriksen, Atmel's senior director of AVR products. "The new feature in the latest AVR XMEGA devices address these needs by including an lcd controller and USB to offer designers a higher level of integration and reduced complexity, resulting in overall lower system cost. Several of the new devices also include two 12bit a/d converters that can be synchronised, making the devices ideal for electricity metering and other high precision applications."