LPC54100 Series Microcontrollers Set a New Standard for "Always-On" Operation by Providing a Smarter Experience and Extending Battery Life.

November 7, 2014, Seoul — NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) has launched the LPC54100 series, a new product capable of revolutionizing sensor-based products. This product family enables "always-on" sensor processing by achieving very low power consumption. Through architectural innovations based on market-proven patented technology, this series boasts unparalleled efficiency. Compared to competitors, it is shown to be 20% more energy efficient on average.

The LPC54100, an essential component for 'always on' applications, consumes only 3µA of power even while continuous sensor listening is in progress. This asymmetric dual-core architecture, introduced for the first time for sensor applications, enables developers to maximize power efficiency during sensor data collection, storage, and external communication using the 55µA/MHz Cortex-M0+ through scalable active power/performance. Additionally, the Cortex-M4F core (100µA/MHz), which can be used as an alternative, executes computationally intensive algorithms (such as motion sensor fusion) faster while reducing power consumption.

To complement this architecture, various analog and digital interfaces are used, which have also been redesigned from the ground up with energy efficiency in mind. The 12-bit, 4.8 Msps ADC included in the complementary interface has extensive performance covering the entire voltage range (1.62 to 3.6 V). In addition, a low-power serial interface is available, which has enabled the LCP54100 series to significantly reduce the power consumption during sensor processing compared to other microprocessors in the same class.

According to Jim Trent, Vice President of Microprocessors at NXP Semiconductors, "Advanced features emerging in today's mobile devices—such as context, location awareness, motion, touch, gesture-based interaction, and voice recognition—are technologies enabled by various types of 'always-on' sensors." He added, "In the not-too-distant future, other industries will adopt the capabilities of mobile phones to make similar advancements, thereby further improving the customer experience. Many of the outdated MCU sensor processing architectures currently in use consume excessive power or lack the scalability to handle an increase in the number of sensors. The LPC54100 series will enable other industries to utilize sensors more effectively to reap the benefits of smart and user-centric experiences."

The LPC54100 series can be used in mobile devices, wearable health/medical devices, industrial applications (environmental monitoring, home and building lighting automation, robotics), gaming, and other fields where long battery life is required as a key element to improve the end-user experience.

Collaborative Sensor Processing Solutions and Developer Ecosystem
To enable embedded developers to bring sensor-based designs to market faster, NXP is forming strategic alliances with manufacturers and sensor processing middleware suppliers. These strategic partners include Bosch Sensortec, Cywee Motion, and Hillcrest Labs. NXP is also collaborating with Bosch Sensortec to introduce a sensor processing/motion solution as an integrated application combining the LPC54102 microcontroller, nine modular sensors including Bosch Sensortec's motion and pressure sensors, sensor fusion middleware, and NXP's LPCXpresso development platform and support services. By integrating motion and other sensor-based functions into a single solution, this solution makes it easier for customers to improve next-generation products.

"The market conditions for sensors and sensor-based products are currently very favorable," said Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec. "We have actively collaborated with NXP in the field of sensor processing and motion solutions to present an integrated development platform, which enables customers to more easily create and verify new sensor-based designs."

Shunan Liou, General Manager of CyWee Motion, said, "We are very encouraged by the new low-power technology implemented by the NXP LPC54100 series," adding, "The use of sensors is increasing across various product platforms." "Through the LPC54100, we have been able to introduce low-power design products to customers, thereby providing them with a better experience," he added.

"Hillcrest Labs is pleased to partner with NXP to deliver innovative sensor-based customer experiences to mobile and wearable device customers," said Dan Simpkins, Managing Director of Hillcrest Labs. "We believe that the LPC54100's exceptional power efficiency and diverse DSP commands will make it an ideal platform for our cutting-edge processing software, enabling next-generation sensor-based devices such as 'always-on,' context detection, and activity tracking."

Market launch and demonstration
The LPC54100 series is currently scheduled to be released in WLCSP49 (3.2 x 3.2 mm) and LQFP64 (10 x 10 mm) packages, and
The release is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. The plan is to sell it at a price of $1.99 per unit in units of 10,000. Sensor processing/operation solutions and LPCXpresso evaluation boards are currently available for purchase through NXP authorized distributors.

The LPC54100, which boasts innovative efficiency for always-on sensor processing, will be demonstrated at the NXP booth (Hall A4, #524 and #525) at the Electronica 2014 exhibition, held at Messe Munich from November 11 to 14, 2014.

Related links
• LPC541xx Product Information: http://www.nxp.com/LPC54100
• LPC541xx Sensor Processing / Motion Solution Information: www.nxp.com/spm-solution
• LPCXpresso54102 Evaluation Board: www.nxp.com/demoboard/OM13077.html
• LPC541xx Developer Site and Ecosystem Information: http://www.lpcware.com/content/device/lpc54100