CIE Components in Electronics
NXP Semiconductors is extending its family of digital signal controllers with the introduction of the LPC408x and LPC407x microcontrollers, both of which feature advanced signal processing capabilities and a wide range of connectivity options, including USB 2.0, Ethernet and CAN 2.0B. The devices are based on an ARM Cortex-M4 processor and the new LPC4000 microcontrollers offer drop-in compatibility with NXP’s existing LPC178x and LPC177x series, as well as multiple LPC2000 microcontrollers.
The LPC408x and LPC407x have been designed to be a cost-effective, low-power solution for digital signal control, and are suited for displays, scanners, industrial networking, alarm systems, medical diagnostics, and motor-control applications.
“The LPC408x and LPC407x series will provide embedded designers with a stepping stone from our Cortex-M3 based families to our high performance dual-core LPC4300, which at 204 MHz remains the fastest Cortex-M4 microcontroller available today,” said Gordon Cooper, international product marketing manager, microcontroller business line, NXP Semiconductors. “We are offering a clear migration path for customers already using NXP Cortex-M3 and ARM7 microcontrollers.”
Operating at speeds of up to 120 MHz, the LPC408x and LPC407x provide up to 512 KB of flash, 96 KB of SRAM, 4 KB of EEPROM, two analogue comparators, and a wide range of connectivity peripherals, including up to five UARTs, three SPI/SSP, and three I2C interfaces. The LPC408x and LPC407x series feature a multi-layer AHB bus that allows high-bandwidth peripherals such as Ethernet and full-speed USB to run simultaneously, without affecting performance. Other serial peripherals include two CAN controllers, SD/MMC and an I2S interface.
Like the dual-core LPC4300 family, the LPC408x and LPC407x microcontrollers feature an optional 32-bit floating point unit, as well as a graphical LCD controller offering 1024 x 768 pixel display resolution. The new LPC microcontrollers also feature NXP’s unique SPI flash interface (SPIFI), which allows embedded system designers to add a significant amount of low-cost memory.
The LPC407x/8x devices will be available in LQFP packages with 80, 144 or 208 pins and in TFBGA packages with 180 or 208 pins. Product samples will be available from major distribution partners by the end of the month. Development boards are now available from Code Red Technologies and Embedded Artists, with additional boards to be released by IAR later this year.
