August 1, 2013 – Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB, Country Manager In-gyu Kim), a global leader in high-performance analog-intensive mixed-signal ICs, announced today the launch of a highly integrated, feature-rich 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) suitable for cost-sensitive motor control applications. The new C8051F85x/6x MCU combines best-in-class analog and communication peripherals, 2kB to 8kB flash memory, high performance in a small package, and cost-effective pricing, making it ideal for brushless (BL) DC motor control applications used in remote-controlled helicopters, automobiles, PCs, fans, power tools, and other small appliances. The F85/6x MCU is suitable for consumer and industrial applications such as power supplies, battery chargers, set-top boxes, projectors, lighting equipment, and optical transceiver modules. These AEC-Q100 compliant MCUs can also be used in automotive electronics applications such as window lifts and power seats.

Today, embedded developers are seeking cost-effective mixed-signal MCU solutions. This is because affordable MCU solutions provide high integration and processing performance for analog-intensive and computationally demanding applications, such as motor control. Designed to meet the performance requirements of motor control, the F85x/6x MCUs feature a high-speed 8051 core that is 50% faster than the most comparable competitor products in its class. This enables more sophisticated pulse-width modulation (PWM), enhanced motor control efficiency, and the execution of more complex algorithms across a wide range of motor speeds. The F85x/6x MCU also supports three independent high-resolution PWM channels with built-in overcurrent protection and error detection, targeting motor control and power supply applications.

The F85x/6x MCU integrates advanced analog and digital peripherals into a small package.

Functional density has been elevated to the next level. These MCUs feature a built-in 12-bit multi-channel ADC, two analog comparators with programmable hysteresis and response times, and a precision voltage reference. Additionally, these products include an integrated precision 24.5 MHz low-power oscillator and a low-frequency 80 kHz oscillator, eliminating the need for external clocks and crystals. On-chip temperature sensors further simplify system tuning by eliminating the need for additional discrete sensors. Various communication peripherals (I2C, SPI, UART) provide developers with the flexibility to select peripherals that meet application requirements. The combination of all these on-chip features allows developers to minimize external components, thereby further lowering system costs compared to competitor MCUs.

Like all Silicon Labs 8-bit MCUs, the F85x/6x product families feature the patented Crossbar Architecture, which allows developers to customize peripheral and pinout placement according to the application without worrying about pin conflicts. The innovative Crossbar Architecture simplifies PCB routing, minimizes the number of PCB layers, and utilizes optimal pins to ultimately reduce design time and system costs.

Diwakar Vishakhadatta, Vice President and General Manager of 8-bit MCU Products at Silicon Labs, said, “Priced starting at $0.30 per unit for bulk orders, Silicon Labs’ F85x/6x MCUs are high-performance 8-bit solutions that provide industry-leading cost-effectiveness and high integration for analog-intensive embedded applications such as motor control. Silicon Labs’ 8-bit customers can now also receive the Kail development tools, the industry’s best 8-bit toolset for code density and accuracy, free of charge.”

Free Keil development tool

Silicon Labs now offers the Kale development tools free of charge for all of its 8-bit and wireless MCUs, including the F85x/6x. Silicon Labs’ PK51 Professional Developer’s Kit for 8-bit MCUs supports new devices with extended memory and instruction sets. The Kale toolkit, which offers unlimited time or code size, includes a wide range of tools that enable the use of Silicon Labs’ 8-bit MCU products and Microcontroller Studio, such as an assembler, C compiler, code linker/locator, and object converter. Silicon Labs’ 8-bit MCU customers can download the Kale tools for free at www.silabs.com/8bit-software .

As the complexity of embedded applications continues to increase and development schedules become tighter, reducing development time is a key consideration when selecting an MCU. To help designers work more easily, Silicon Labs offers two cost-effective development kits for the F85x/6x MCU family. The C8051F850-B-DK development kit includes a C8051F850 target board, a USB debug adapter/programmer, a power supply, cables, a quick start guide, and free downloadable software tools, providing designers with everything they need to evaluate hardware and develop code. With the ToolStick850-B-SK starter kit, designers can use Silicon Labs' IDE to develop and debug application firmware directly on target F85x/6x MCUs.

Price and supply

Silicon Labs' C8051F85x/6x MCUs are currently available for samples and mass supply in 3 mm x 3 mm 20-pin QFN packages, as well as 24-pin QSOP and 16-pin SOIC packages. Pricing for the F85x/6x MCUs starts at $0.40 USD per 10,000 units. The C8051F850-B-DK development kit and the Tool Stick850-B-SK starter kit are available for $64 and $9.90 USD, respectively (manufacturer's recommended prices).

For additional product information on ordering samples of F85x/6x MCUs or to download the additionally provided Kale development tools, please visit www.silabs.com/8bit-mcu .