Atmel launches new low-power LIN System Basis Chip (SBC)

Atmel has rolled out the ATA663254, a new flagship LIN system basis chip (SBC) for low-power, local interconnect networking systems used for automotive comfort, power-train, sensor and actuator applications. 
It should be noted that Atmel’s ATA663254 is the first available product in this series of new LIN devices.

Atmel’s new generation of LIN SBC devices deliver significantly lower current consumption in various modes of operation. Meanwhile, the integrated low dropout voltage regulator (LDO) can be used in combination with low-cost  MLC (multi-layer ceramic) blocking capacitors – providing significant cost savings compared to solutions leveraging tantalum capacitors.

According to Rob Valiton, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Automotive, Aerospace and Memory Business Units, the improved voltage regulator works down to 2.3V supply voltage with best-in-class current consumption.

“This enables storing data within the MCU during system shutdown in case of unintended power supply interruption. The advanced features of the ATA663254 enable system designers to design best-in-class in-vehicle network applications in the latest automobiles. The devices are LIN specification 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.2A and SAE J2602-2 certified,” he said.

“[In addition, our] new cost-optimized and performance enhanced LIN SBC is developed on a proprietary BCD-on-SOI (Bipolar CMOS and DMOS-on-Silicon on Insulator) process technology that combines high-voltage capability with rugged silicon on insulator technology. This combination allows for high-temperature operation, excellent EMC performance and very low leakage currents.”

Valiton also noted that the new LIN SBC device addresses the latest requirements for in-vehicle networking systems such as lower power consumption, more compact PCB board designs and enabling an overall lower system cost.

“As the automotive design cycle continues to shorten, Atmel is committed to delivering the most innovative automotive products that enable customers to bring their unique, next-generation designs quickly to market,” he added.

Key ATA663254 features include:

• LIN Trx + 5V LDO
• LIN physical layer according to LIN 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.2A and SAEJ2602-2
• LDO: 5V/85mA±2%
• MLC blocking capacitors instead of tantalum 
improve overall system cost
• Works down to 2.3V supply voltage
• Supply current
• Sleep mode current <15µA
• Normal mode current <290µA
• Low Linear mode current (2V<VS<5.5V) <170µA 
enables data-storage during unintended power supply interruption
• Compact DFN8 package
• Heat slug
• Wettable flanks for automatic optical inspection
• Pinout according to the new OEM hardware recommendations

To accelerate the design cycle, Atmel is currently offering the ATAB663254A-V1.2 development kit for engineers. Key specs are as follows:

• Provides all components necessary to drive the ATA663254
• Choice of master or slave operation
• All pins easily accessible
• Switching into normal, silent or sleep mode
• LEDs for operation indication
• Ground coulter clip for easy probe connection while measuring with oscilloscope

Interested in learning more about Atmel’s comprehensive LIN portfolio? You can check out our LIN product breakdown here.

Designing next-gen LIN systems with Atmel (Part 1)

The LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus is a vehicle standard used within the latest automotive network architectures. The low-cost, single-wire serial communication system for distributed electronics in vehicles is highly suited to body control applications, including power windows, mirrors, smart wipers, door locks, seat/roof/lighting control, lamps and indicators, dashboard instruments, steering wheels, climate and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, motors, switch panels and sensors.

“It is primarily used as a cost-effective sub-network of a CAN bus to integrate intelligent sensor devices or actuators where the LIN master node also acts as a gateway to connect the LIN bus with the corresponding CAN bus,” an Atmel engineering rep told Bits & Pieces. “Going hand in hand with rapid LIN market growth, the requirements for greater system efficiency and lower costs exerted on LIN products have continued to increase as well.”

To be sure, in-vehicle electronic systems are rapidly evolving and increasing in number, as are the number of switches for controlling various applications. In addition, applications with switches located far away from the control electronics and wires integrated within the wiring harness require high-voltage switches.

“And that is precisely why Atmel offers a next-generation ATA6641/42 System Basis Chip (SBC) with an eight-channel high-voltage switch interface, a LIN2.1 and SAEJ2602-2-compliant LIN transceiver and lowdrop voltage regulator,” the Atmel engineering rep continued. “The ATA6641/42 also boasts an adjustable window watchdog, facilitating the development of inexpensive, low-end, but also powerful slave and master nodes for LIN bus systems meeting the latest OEM requirements.”

Due to its optimized architecture, the ATA6641/42 provides a high degree of flexibility for deployment in various applications such as switch connection through the wiring harness, port/contact monitoring, contact cleaning, switches (towards GND or VBAT) and LED/relay/power transistor control.

Two versions of the System Basis Chip are currently available: the ATA6641 with a 3.3V voltage regulator and the ATA6642 with a 5V voltage regulator. The voltage regulator delivers up to 80mA load current. Sleep mode and active low-power mode guarantee very low current consumption even in the case of a floating bus line or a short circuit on the LIN bus to GND. To maintain very low current consumption in sleep mode, a special technique ensures that the circuit switches back to sleep mode after approximately 10ms if the bus line is floating or in case of a short circuit.

Improved slope control at the LIN driver ensures secure data communication of up to 20kBaud, while data rates of up to 250kBaud also enable high-speed data communication. Most features can be configured via the 16-bit SPI interface which streamlines and accelerates configuration of the slave/master LIN node for any given application.

Want to learn more about Atmel’s ATA6641/42? Be sure to check out part two and three of this series.