Freescale MCUs Include Emissions Control to Combat Global Warming

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Freescale Semiconductor (News - Alert) today introduced a family of 32-bit automotive microcontrollers (MCUs) that integrate emissions control technology. The devices are designed to enable cost-effective, sophisticated engine control designs for emerging markets, as well as to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

 

Freescale’s so-called “MPC563xM” powertrain MCUs take advantage of a powerful digital signal processing (DSP) engine built into the Power Architecture e200 core. With the help of this integrated DSP capability, engine designers maximize fuel economy and performance while minimizing engine “knocking,” according to the company. This reduces the CO2 emissions by 3 percent to 5 percent, according to the company.

 

The DSP functionality can also be used for patented sensor diagnostics schemes that address on-board automotive diagnostics as they are based on single-input/multiple-data (SIMD) processing techniques, according to the company.

 

Containing three 32-bit powertrain MCUs, the MPC563xM family enhances the efficiency and performance of small engines scaling from one to four cylinders. Apart from addressing the cost constraints of engine and transmission suppliers, the MPC563xM also provides improved powertrain functionality, such as on-chip emissions control. The cost-effective devices are Freescale’s first automotive MCUs manufactured on 90-nanometer technology. Also, they are the Freescale’s first automotive products, which have resulted from a joint development program with STMicroelectronics (News - Alert) initiated in January 2006.

 

The MPC563xM family is affordable and companies can now look to deploy advanced emissions control technology without hurting their budgets. In emerging automotive markets such as China and India, government regulations are increasingly demanding the automakers to manufacture more efficient engines that emit fewer harmful emissions. The companies in this region can now get MPC563xM family that designs of up to four cylinders.

 

Providing simplified and lower-cost development, the MPC563xM is Freescale’s first powertrain device family with a quad flat package (QFP) option, according to the company. A QFP has visible pins, making the package easy and affordable to install, inspect and repair, without requiring costly infrared and X-ray inspection technology. Also, the MPC563xM devices enable code sharing that can help reduce automakers’ development costs, according to the company.