Standard MCU architectures offer a wide
range of different derivatives with regard to
CPU performance, memory size, peripheral
functions and interfaces. From this offering,
users can select the microcontroller that best
suits their application. Things would be more
efficient if products and/or series within a mi-
crocontroller family were already optimized
in terms of their functions and the peripheral
equipment for specific system requirements.
The application-optimized microcontroller
family XMC1000 offers both 32-bit perform-
ance and functions at 8-bit prices.
One alternative to 8-bit solutions used to date
in industrial applications is provided by the
32-bit MCUs of the XMC1000 family. This is
because they combine the Cortex-M0 processor
from ARM with comprehensive peripheral
functions, tools, and evaluation kits with high
design productivity, and are produced using a
cost-efficient process technology (65 nm em-
bedded flash production on 300 mm wafers).
With recently introduced VQFN packages fea-
turing 24 pins and 40 pins, Infineon provides
a portfolio for its XMC1000 industrial micro-
controllers which currently includes more than
60 products in 5 package types. XMC1000 mi-
crocontrollers in the VQFN-24 package are
only 4 mm x 4 mm in size. This makes these
microcontrollers ideally suited for motor drives
as well as sensor and actuator applications
that need to have a highly compact design. In
addition to the VQFN packages, the MCUs
are also available in TSSOPs with 16, 28 and
38 pins.
The three series XMC1100, XMC1200 and
XMC1300 differ essentially in terms of their
memory capacity and peripheral set. Their
flash sizes range between 8KB and 200KB. In
addition, these MCUs feature high-perfor-
mance PWM timers, 12-bit A/D converters
and programmable serial communication in-
terfaces. The three product series each support
different dedicated application areas. By way
of example, the XMC1100 Entry series offers
a basic range of functions to facilitate entry
into the XMC world. Thanks to the 12-bit
A/D converter and 16-bit timers, it is possible
to generate diverse PWM patterns. All
XMC1200 derivates feature e.g. a module for
touch control and LED displays (LEDTS) and
a peripheral unit for the dimming and colour
control of LEDs (Brightness and Color Control
Unit, BCCU). The XMC1300 series has a math-
ematical coprocessor specifically for motor
drive controls.
In addition, the microcontrollers of the
XMC1000 family (as well as those of the
XMC4000 family) satisfy the requirements of
the standard IEC60730 Class B, which is pre-
scribed for the safety of household appliances
sold in Europe. For example, XMC MCUs
offer hardware error correction (ECC) and
corresponding memory tests. A further unique
feature is the flash loader with a 128-bit AES
accelerator, which allows the software IP to be
better protected.
The XMC1200 series is predestined for LED
lighting applications. Like the XMC1300 series,
it features the BCCU unit. The basic function
of the BCCU consists in automatically making
dim signals available at the port connections
for external LED drivers. The BCCU is, with
minimal code input, designed for the automatic
control of the dimming and the colours of
multi-channel LED lamps. A key feature is the
automatic high-frequency brightness modula-
tion (PDM with 12-bit resolution). This gen-
erates an individual bit stream for each of the
total of nine channels. The high frequency
produces a high resolution for the brightness
value and/or the colour value used in RGB ap-
plications. This in turn permits a flicker-free
display, whilst supporting a broad spectrum
of different LED drivers and/or high-perfor-
mance LEDs. The BCCU integrates three so-
named dimming engines. These ensure the ex-
ponential change of the brightness. The expo-
nential dimming and the linear change of the
intensity allow the dimming steps and color
changes to appear natural to the human eye.
Application-optimized microcontroller
series supported by application kits
M
ICROCONTROLLERS
By Dirk Heinen,
Infineon
The XMC microcontroller family
offers 32-bit performance
and functions at 8-bit prices.
With the XMC1000 architecture,
the development environment
DAVE, and the DAVE apps
coupled with dedicated application
kits, an application-oriented
solution for rapid and reliable
design implementation is available.
June 2014
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