IO-Link support in COM2, COM3 mode
Sharing sensor data with the MCU via UART and SPI


An industrial transceiver with dual communication channels that can double the output to enhance drive strength has been introduced.

STMicroelectronics announced on the 8th the L6364 transceiver, which supports IO-Link in COM2 (38.4kbaud) and COM3 (230.4kbaud) modes, as well as standard SIO (Single-Input/Output) communication.

The dual outputs, consisting of an IO-Link CQ pin and a standard DIO pin, each provide surge pulse and reverse polarity protection. The maximum drive strength is programmable up to 250 mA, and when both channels are connected in parallel, they can supply up to 500 mA.

The SPI port connects the L6364 to a host MCU using an additional interrupt pin for diagnostic reporting. Sensor data can be exchanged with the MCU via a UART or in single-byte or multi-byte mode (SPI).

The integrated UART supporting IO-Link message sequencing (M-Sequencing) can be programmed to operate in IO-Link or standard SIO (Single-Input/Output) mode, allowing unlimited message sequencing size in a single octet IO-Link. The internal data buffer supports up to 15 octets.

During normal operation, the MCU configures the L6364 with an SPI interface at startup. At this point, it begins operating in SIO device mode and drives the output lines configured by the MCU. If the device is connected to an IO-Link master, the master can initiate IO-Link communication with a wake-up request.

◇ Configurable output voltage and various convenient features

The L6364 is a highly integrated transceiver that integrates a DC/DC buck converter with programmable output voltage. It also features 3.3V and 5V low-dropout regulators (LDOs) with 50mA output current.

This LDO can be powered from an external supply voltage or a DC/DC converter and is connected to external pins to power the MCU and sensors.

The L6364 supports an operating voltage range of 5 V to 35 V and offers protection features such as thermal shutdown and undervoltage lockout (UVLO), as well as programmable thresholds for undervoltage, overvoltage, and overload detection. Short circuit, ground, and Vcc disconnection are also supported.

It reports extended diagnostics to the MCU via an interrupt pin, including a 7-bit temperature sensor reading compensation and wake-up recognition, short circuits, and undervoltage, indicating when thresholds have been exceeded.

The L6364 is currently in production in a 4 mm × 4 mm QFN-20L package, priced at $2.26 in 1,000-unit quantities. A 2.5 mm × 2.5 mm 19-bump Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Package (WLCSP) is expected to be available by the end of 2020.