NXP launches 32bit Cortex based microcontroller for industrial applications

Geoff Lees, general manager of NXP's microcontroller product line, said: "It's a rugged series, tuned more for industrial use and less for battery powered applications. We have made it more robust at the expense of standby current." More than 50 variants of the Cortex-M0 based device are available, with flash memory ranging from 32k to 128k in 8k increments. Lees said this avoids customers having to double the size of flash as they move beyond 64k. "Doubling flash adds cost, so users have the ability to increment flash in 8k blocks." According to NXP, the LPC1200 range is suitable for use in energy efficient systems and for power management. In advanced washing machines, for example, the LPC1200 can control the motor systems, handle the user interface, monitor system power consumption and manage off board communications. With high output drive and high capacitance, the LPC1200 can drive triacs, meeting their rise time requirements. "This saves money as the designer doesn't need to specify a predriver," Lees continued, "and it also makes sure that noise doesn't impact adjacent I/O." "We are pleased to team up with NXP in defining specifications for the LPC1200," said Stefano Frattesi, Innovation for Design manager with Indesit. "The Cortex-M0's performance and the features of the LPC1200 microcontroller will enable an innovative future proof platform for next generation white goods, while continuously improving robustness and reliability." An on chip state machine is included, said by Lees to be an extension of the state configuration timer built into the LPC4000. "This has been expanded to include access to all peripherals on the AHB, with an infinite number of possibilities." He noted this device can also be customised, depending upon the user's requirements. First silicon for the device was delivered a year ago, said Lees, which has allowed NXP to work with white goods manufacturers to make it more robust and to design in additional features.