Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd

Fujitsu Expands 32-bit Microcontroller Line Up for High-Performance Home Appliances

Singapore, March 29, 2007  — Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd (FMAL) today announced the availability of the latest addition to its FR family (*1) of 32-bit microcontrollers, the MB91480 series. The new series is designed for high-performance control functions of home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers. MB91480 series provide inverter control (*2) of two motors with one-chip that enables higher functionality in a smaller space.

The current trend in household appliances is to use data from multiple sensors in advanced features. For example, microwave ovens have multiple temperature monitors and added steam to achieve better results for various foods. There is also demand for quieter operation in air conditioners, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and other appliances. Meeting these demands requires the ability to process data from multiple sensors in real time and to provide fine-grained control.

Hence, Fujitsu has developed MB91480 series to the FR family of 32-bit microcontrollers. The first product in this series, MB91F487, has two multi-function timer units for motor inverter control that allows two motors operation in one-chip. It provides a highly sophisticated functionality in home appliances by supporting highly accurate and speedier control.

Product Characteristics

1. 2 multi-function timers provide inverter control for 2 motors
   For motor inverter control, multi-function timers are necessary, and this product has 2 timer units. This allows the 1chip to control 2 motors. So for air-conditioners, washers and dryers that have several motors, it reduces product space as well as shortening the product design time.
2. 3 A/D converter units & PWM control provides multi-function, high performance control and low power and low noise
   With 3 A/D converter units (*3), there is a total of 18 channels which allows for the sensing of the minute changes in a maximum of 18 sensors. Together with PWM control (*4), smoother and more minute control is possible. This realizes high-performance, low power consumption and quieter appliances.
3. High-speed processing with FR60 32-bit CPU core
   The embedded FR60 (*5) CPU core operates at a world class high-speed level of 80MHz, which provides high-speed processing such that most information can be processed in real-time. Also, for inverter control computation, special product-sum operation circuits (*6) are included that divides high-speed processing with the CPU and reduces the burden on the CPU.

Fujitsu’s Microcontroller Value

Flash microcontrollers are core products at Fujitsu, and we dedicated to providing our customers with ”FF Value” (Fujitsu Flash Microcontroller Value) consisting of 3 values: “Stable supply capability”; ”Reliability”; ”Technology Capability”. Fujitsu’s microcontrollers are highly valued by our customers who are using them in a wide variety of fields from CAN microcontrollers for automotive applications, to digital AV and home appliances.

Trademarks

All product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Notes

(*1) FR family: Fujitsu RISC family. Fujitsu’s 32-bit microcontroller family name.

(*2) Inverter: A device that converts DC input current to AC. For motor control basically an inverter and control device are necessary. With inverter control, it is possible to have minute control of the motor such as stopping operation or revolution cycles etc.

(*3) A/D converter: A circuit that converts an analog signal to a digital signal.

(*4) PWM control: Pulse Width Modulation control. By changing the ON / OFF ratio of the pulse wave, it is a method for the smooth control of devices like motors etc.

(*5) FR60: One of the CPU cores in the FR family. Compatible with the first core developed in the family, the FR30. Provides high-speed and low power consumption.

(*6) Product-sum operation circuits: In control calculations, many product-sum operations (A x B + C) are necessary. This circuit independently calculates those operations.

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About Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd

Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd (FMAL) was established in 1986 to provide semiconductor sales and support solutions to customers in Southeast Asia, India and Oceania. FMAL offers a diverse array of application-oriented semiconductor products and solutions such as ASIC, ASSPs, microcontrollers / microprocessors (FR-V), System Memory (Flash Memory / FRAM / FCRAM) and System LSIs (DVD MPEG Source Decoders / MPEG –2 Encoders).

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