ICs & Semiconductors

High bandwidth, common mode filters serve multi-Gbit serial interfaces

Tue, May 24, 2022

Common-mode filters from STMicroelectronics have a wide differential bandwidth of 10.7GHz to protect antennas in adjacent wireless circuitry. The two-channel  ECMF2-40A100N10 and four-channel ECMF4-40A100N10 are compatible with high-speed interface standards including USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB4, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort. 

The common mode filters have low serial resistance of just 3.0 Ohms, which minimises eye diagram distortion, to preserve signal integrity. The filters deliver deep common-mode attenuation (Scc21) from 2.4 to 7.0GHz, reaching -21dB at 5.0GHz, and effectively prevent interference with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth receivers, added ST.

In addition to tackling antenna de-sensitivity issues, the filters can be used to reduce general interface noise to ensure compliance with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection up to ±9kV (contact discharge) and ±20kV (air discharge) is also built-in. This level of protection exceeds IEC 61000-4-2 level 4, ST added.

Both filters are housed in compact micro quad flat no-lead (µQFN) packages which are just 0.5mm high. They are suitable for demanding industrial applications as well as consumer products and can be used in smart factory equipment, imaging systems, medical devices, laboratory equipment, home-automation systems, set-top boxes, smart televisions, game consoles, notebooks, tablets and docking stations.

Evaluation boards are available with a choice of SMA connector or USB-C connector. 

The ECMF2-40A100N6 is supplied in a 1.35 x 1.4mm six-lead µQFN-6L and the ECMF4-40A100N10 is in a 1.35 x 2.2mm 10-lead µQFN-10L. Both filters are in production now. 

http://www.st.com

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Murata combines Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 in single module

Tue, May 24, 2022

In collaboration with NXP Semiconductors, Murata has developed the Type 1XL Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 module. It uses proprietary packaging and is the latest in the company’s low power, small form factor communication modules for the IoT.

The dual band module is based on the NXP 88W9098 combo chipset and supports IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax 2 x 2 multi-user, multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) and Bluetooth 5.3 Low Energy (LE). 

The Wi-Fi section of the module supports connectivity up to 1.4 times faster than conventional Wi-Fi compatible devices, said Murata, offering data rates of up to 1200Mbits per second. It also supports the PCIe 3.0 interface with optional support for SDIO 3.0. The Bluetooth 5.3 LE portion of the module supports speeds of up to 2Mbits per second with a high speed four-wire UART interface, together with optional support for SDIO and PCM for audio data.

The Type 1XL module employs hardware mechanisms and algorithms to optimise Wi-Fi and Bluetooth co-existence. The module size is 19.1 x 16.5 x 2.1mm, small enough for integration in to size- and power-sensitive electronic devices for IoT, smart home, audio/video/voice, smart TV and gateway applications, said Murata. The module will have a reference antennae design for FCC/IC certifications and CE conducted test to provide a lower development cost and faster time to market.

“The wireless communication bandwidth is tightening within our homes and offices with more streaming content, such as 4K/8K video, and traffic increase by teleworking and remote video conference calls,” explained Akira Sasaki, manager of the IoT Module department at Murata. “The low cost, space-saving Type 1XL module enables high-speed communication, which significantly improves quality.”

The Type 1XL module is now in mass production. 

Murata manufactures electronic components, modules, and devices. Its product range includes ceramic capacitors, resistors / thermistors, inductors / chokes, timing devices, buzzers, sensors and EMI suppression filters. It also manufactures Bluetooth and WiFi modules, board-mount DC/DC converters as well as standard and custom AC/DC power supplies.

http://www.murata.com

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Low voltage 3A buck converter provides wide input range for vehicle interiors

Tue, May 17, 2022

Automotive-compliant synchronous buck converters announced by Diodes are intended for high power density automotive designs, for example in vehicle telematics, ADAS, power and infotainment systems and instrumentation clusters.

The AP61300Q and AP61302Q synchronous buck converters are 3A-rated and have a wide input voltage range of 2.4 to 5.5V. 

Incorporated into each buck converter is a 70mOhm, high side power MOSFET and a 50mOhm low side power MOSFET. Together, said Diodes, they deliver high efficiency step down DC/DC conversion. They also support fast switching speeds allowing smaller accompanying passives to be specified, reducing the overall bill of materials (BoM) and saving space, confirmed the company.

Depending on the load conditions, the AP61300Q and AP61302Q can be configured to pulse frequency modulation (PFM) or pulse width modulation (PWM) operating modes (using the enable pin). The quiescent current (IQ) of 19 microA, when in PFM mode, allows them to maintain elevated efficiencies even in light load situations. The low drop out (LDO) mode permits output voltage regulation to be maintained when the input voltage comes close to the V out voltage.

The constant on-time (COT) control functionality of both the AP61300Q and AP61302Q feature, rapid transient response, easy loop stabilisation and low output voltage ripple with only minimal external components required. Diodes explained that less PCB area is needed which contributes to a reduction in overall production costs.

The AP61300Q and AP61302Q are supplied in SOT563 packages. Both are AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified, PPAP-capable and manufactured in IATF 16949-certified facilities. 

Diodes supplies semiconductor products to customers in the consumer electronics, computing, communications, industrial and automotive markets. Its portfolio includes discrete, analogue and mixed-signal products together with packaging technology to meet customers’ needs. The company has a broad range of application-specific products, sales teams and operations in 31 sites around the world, including engineering, testing, manufacturing, and customer services.

http://www.diodes.com

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PIC and AVR microcontrollers extend 8-bit families

Fri, Apr 29, 2022

Recognising the increasing market for 8bit microcontrollers, Microchip has added five families to its 8bit PCI and AVR families. In total there are over 60 new devices.

PIC and AVR microcontrollers combine processing power with the ability to easily communicate with other chips and a range of analogue peripherals for configurability without changes to the PCB, said Microchip. They combine ASIC-like capabilities with a simple development experience and can be configured as smart peripheral chips, continued the company. 

For example, the MVIO peripheral, including the AVR DD family can be used in systems which use different supply voltages, for example connecting a 5V microcontroller to a 1.8V sensor. The MVIO peripheral on Microchip’s latest 8bit microcontrollers, including the AVR DD family, allows a single port on the microcontroller to operate in a different voltage domain, which eliminates the need for additional external components and negates the need for level-shifting hardware, said Microchip.

For systems which do require a level of speed and response time that is difficult to achieve with software-based processing, Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) are available across the PIC and AVR product ranges. CPIs can be programmed with MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) to form a hardware processing chain and create custom peripherals that eliminate software processing cycle times, explained Microchip. For example, a WS2812 LED array, which requires timing to be driven correctly, can be controlled by configuring a super peripheral (consisting of a pulse-width modulator (PWM), a serial peripheral interface (SPI) and the configurable logic cell.

Microchip’s 8bit microcontroller portfolio is pin-to-pin compatible, which allows an alternative PIC or AVR device to be used when more performance is needed or when a customer wants to maximise product availability while minimising redesign requirements.

Microchip offers an ecosystem of hardware and software tools, including its MPLAB X and MPLAB Xpress integrated development environments (IDEs). The portfolio also includes the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC), which offers an intuitive graphical interface to generate production-ready set up and application code for 8bit microcontroller-based projects.

The latest AVR and PIC 8bit microcontrollers are currently sampling.

http://www.microchip.com

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