Optimized for 32-bit MCUs, Freescale’s next-generation system basis chips deliver energy-efficient scalability

AUSTIN, Texas — (BUSINESS WIRE) — April 2, 2014 — Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) is helping automotive and industrial system designers reduce the cost and complexity of designing applications required to meet functional safety standards. Today, the company announced new system basis chips (SBCs) that provide support for stringent system-level functional safety integrated with a high efficiency DC/DC switching regulator for reducing overall energy consumption.

Developed in accordance with key functional safety requirements, Freescale’s new MC33907 and MC33908 SBCs work seamlessly with 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) like Freescale’s Qorivva series devices to provide a scalable power supply solution that combines power management and communications with integrated functional safety for a broad range of power segmentation architectures. For systems designers, the result is an easy-to-use software/hardware solution that supports the specific functional safety requirements of multiple applications while simplifying designs, minimizing use of external components and reducing bill-of-materials costs.

Featuring the efficiency of a dual DC/DC switching regulator architecture and unique, low-voltage operation down to 2.7 V supply, the MC33907 and MC33908 products supply power to microcontrollers and other system loads while maintaining system operation during power brown-out events such as during an automotive cranking pulse. Ultra-low power modes and innovative wake up capabilities reduce system quiescent current down to 30 µA, limiting system standby energy consumption and battery discharge. The devices’ configurable voltage regulator capabilities enable design of scalable platform solutions optimized for 32-bit MCUs supporting functional safety certifications across multiple vehicles or industrial applications.

“Achieving functional safety compliance can be difficult and costly,” said James Bates, general manager and senior vice president of Freescale’s Analog and Sensors Group. “Freescale makes it quicker and easier to achieve compliance with these new system basis chips, which are designed to meet ISO 26262 ASIL D -- the most stringent functional safety requirement, as well as the latest automotive OEM requirements for ESD and electromagnetic compatibility.”

The functional safety of the MC33907 and MC33908 products has been validated by a prestigious third-party certification organization, which found their safety architecture and approach to surpass ISO 26262 ASIL-D for safety applications. Both system basis chips are part of the Freescale SafeAssure program, which offers a broad solution set of MCUs, sensors and analog ICs, as well as support for functional safety application design that includes training, safety documentation, and software and technical support.

While total system current output capacity is 2 A for both devices, the MC33908 supplies a core current up to 1.5 A while the MC33907 is capable of 0.7 A. Along with the integrated and independent safety measures to reduce common cause failures, the devices also feature a robust CAN physical layer compliant with ISO 11898-2-5 and a serial peripheral interface to allow control and diagnostics for the target MCU.

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Additional features include:

• Innovative architecture allowing independent monitoring of safety critical parameters (supply voltage, timing, MCU and analog IC monitoring)
• Architecture and concept assessment fit for ASIL D applications
• Independent fail-safe state machine supporting the most stringent functional safety standards
• Flexible DC/DC buck pre-regulator with optional boost to fit with LV124
• Multiple regulated supplies up to 2 A
• Low-power modes with 30 µA quiescent current
• Analog multiplexer and battery sensing before reverse battery diode to quicken system reaction during low voltage operations
• Advanced watchdog combined with secured SPI interface
• High ESD robustness for system interface pins up to +/-8kV gun stress according to IEC61000-4-2 and ISO10605.2008 standards
• Robust CAN communications physical interface with EMI/ESD performance up to +/-12kV gun stress according to IEC61000-4-2 and ISO10605.2008 standards

Development support

Freescale provides a robust lineup of hardware and software to support the MC33907 and MC33908 products, including:

• The KIT33907AEEVB evaluation board at $150.00 (USD)
• The KIT33908AEEVB evaluation board at $150.00 (USD)
• The KIT33908MBEVBE mother board at $350.00 (USD)
• The KITMPC5643DBEVM daughter board at $150.00 (USD)
• The KIT908-5643EVM evaluation system at $550.00 (USD)