Nuremberg (Embedded Systems Conference), February 16, 2000. Infineon Technologies today announced the 32-bit Microcontroller TC1775, a key element of its future automotive microcontroller strategy. This chip is the first member of Infineon‘s innovative TriCore™ AUDO microcontroller family, designed for future automotive embedded control systems.

Manufactured using modern 0.25 micron technology, the TC1775 provides 5 Volt I/O capability essential in automotive applications. The first batch of samples has already been delivered to major customers and volume production is planned for summer 2001.

Designed for powertrain applications, the TC1775’s main components include a 32-bit TriCore Unified Processor, a 32-bit Peripheral Control Processor (PCP) and an extremely powerful and flexible set of peripheral units.

Powerful 32-bit TriCore Main Processor
The super-scalar 32-bit RISC TriCore Unified Processor is designed for real-time-critical embedded control applications, offering strong context-switch performance and comprehensive bit handling capabilites. Integrated DSP support means the processor is already prepared for the signal processing work that will become increasingly important in the future. TriCore makes simultaneous use of 16-bit and 32-bit commands possible, resulting in a previously unknown combination of high processing power and optimum code density that does not restrict program execution or software development. It also allows system developers to realize memory savings of up to 30 percent, giving them the option of implementing more system functionality with a certain memory configuration or having a system configuration with less program memory.

Power-Efficient 32-bit Peripheral Control Processor
The second 32-bit processor of TC1775, the PCP, has extensive Direct Memory Access (DMA) capabilities. In addition, it efficiently performs logical and mathematical operations. Responsible for the transfer layer, the PCP coordinates the on-chip peripheral operations.

Innovative and Flexible on-chip Peripherals
The General Purpose Timer Array (GPTA) analyses and controls time- and event-driven activities of the TC1775’s inputs and outputs. The architecture of the GPTA has been optimized for maximum functional autonomy and a high degree of configurability. This minimizes the amount of support required from the PCP or the TriCore Unified Processor.

Powerful, integrated peripheral modules, including two synchronizable 12-bit analog-to-digital converters and two CAN modules (TwinCAN) with an built-in gateway function, make previously required external components superfluous. The powerful multi-master 32-bit FPI (Flexible Peripheral Interface) bus acts as a data highway between peripherals, cores and interfaces.

Comprehensive Range of Development Tools
Even at the early stages of product development, Infineon cooperated closely with well-known development tool and operating system manufacturers. Comprehensive development systems are already available to system developers. This portfolio is rounded off by configuration tools such as the Digital Application virtual Engingeer (DAvE) application-oriented driver software modules and libraries from Infineon.

Further information at: http://www.infineon.com/audo