December 18, 2012, Seoul, Korea — Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL, www.freescale.com , Country Manager Yeonho Hwang) has added a family of entry-level devices designed primarily for the automotive dashboard market to its S12 MagniV multi-signal MCU (microcontroller) portfolio. The new S12 MagniV S12ZVHY MCU family helps developers significantly reduce time-to-market and overall BOMs by developing comprehensive dashboard solutions on a single chip.

The S12ZVHY multi-signal MCU family integrates a wide range of analog functions, allowing automotive developers to connect high-voltage signals and power supplies directly to the MCU, thereby saving board space and reducing system complexity. By designing with the S12ZVHY MCU family, developers can also minimize sourcing from multiple suppliers and enhance overall system reliability.

"Ray Cornyn, General Manager of Freescale’s Automotive MCU business unit, said, 'By adding the S12ZVHY multi-signal MCU to the S12 MagniV automotive dashboard lineup, Freescale is providing an ideal single-chip solution for the 2-gauge automotive dashboard market.' He added, 'This highly integrated device supports streamlined design in entry-level dashboard applications where cost and board space are critical selection criteria.'"

"Varroc President Vineet Sahni said, 'Freescale and Varroc have been partners for over 10 years.' The new S12 MagniV S12ZVHY MCU family is the product of this efficient collaboration. We provided feedback to Freescale to develop components best suited for the Indian automotive market. We are pleased that Freescale has announced such highly integrated components."

The S12 MagniV S12ZVHY portfolio is a solution designed for instrument panel applications requiring CAN (Controller Area Network) connectivity, stepper motor gauges, segment LCDs, or dot matrix displays. Customers developing efficient instrument panel solutions can utilize the familiar features provided by the S12 MCU family, such as low power consumption and smart peripherals, as well as the various integrated features provided by the S12ZVHY MCU platform, including CAN modules, built-in voltage regulators, real-time clocks, and sound generators. Unique features of the S12ZVHY product family include 4K ECC RAM and stepper stall detection.

The S12ZVHY product family is a solution that extends the current S12ZVH product family, supporting hardware and software reuse across platforms through pin compatibility and common S12Z cores, peripherals, and software. The S12ZVHY product family is ideal for customers currently developing on the S12ZVH platform who are seeking fewer features, offering additional cost optimization without requiring significant design changes. Customers can seamlessly transition their current S12ZVH development to the S12ZVHY platform.

Advantages of S12 MagniV technology
Previously, automotive electronics design required multiple devices—specifically, devices manufactured using high-voltage processes and microcontrollers manufactured using low-voltage digital logic processes—to be connected to battery and power actuator outputs.

S12 MagniV technology integrates 40V analog NVM (non-volatile memory) and digital logic onto a single semiconductor chip using Freescale's proven low-leakage manufacturing process. The result is a cost-effective, ultra-compact solution capable of handling tasks that currently require up to four chips in design methods. Fewer components allow customers to use smaller boards, ultimately reducing the weight of the vehicle and improving overall quality.

Supply situation
S12ZVHY reference designs and MCU samples are being supplied in limited quantities in the fourth quarter of this year. However, customers can start development immediately with the compatible S12ZVH product family.