Suitable for high-speed, analog-intensive optical transceiver modules

Silicon Labs announced that it has launched a new microcontroller (MCU) with integrated analog performance and peripherals into the 8-bit market.

The new EFM8LB1 Laser Bee MCUs, recently added to Silicon Labs' EFM8 MCU portfolio, integrate a 72 MHz 8051 core featuring a high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC), multiple digital-to-analog converters (DACs), an accurate temperature sensor, two comparators, and up to 64 kB of flash memory. Laser Bee MCUs deliver powerful analog performance in a compact 3 mm x 3 mm QFN package, making them suitable for applications requiring intensive performance in confined spaces, such as optical modules, test and measurement instruments, industrial control equipment, and smart sensors.

The EFM8LB1 Laser Bee MCU family is suitable for high-speed, analog-intensive optical transceiver modules widely used in telecommunications and data communications. Optical module applications require small form factor MCUs that offer excellent analog performance and high integration. The highly integrated analog performance of the EFM8LB1 family eliminates the need for external analog components, enabling reduced overall system BOM costs and PCB area while enjoying enhanced performance. For example, Laser Bee MCU products include up to four 12-bit DACs, eliminating the need for four external DACs typically required in optical modules.

The Laser Bee MCU's on-chip 14-bit, 900 ksps ADC includes an input sequencer and a DMA (direct memory access) controller, enabling the collection of raw data without MCU intervention. This capability allows the MCU to perform other tasks, thereby improving overall system performance, while supporting the MCU's ability to switch to a low-power mode for energy saving. Additionally, the MCU's 72 MHz pipeline 8051-based 8-bit core can execute over 70% of instructions in 1 to 2 clock cycles, satisfying the processing requirements of high-speed optical modules and other computationally intensive applications.

The EFM8LB1 MCU integrates four configurable logic units (CLUs), enabling developers to implement combinational logic and synchronizers without the need for external components. As the industry's smallest CLUs, they replace system glue logic and support various digital functions, such as generating specific waveforms or synchronizing system event triggers. Each CLU is fully programmable, allowing the Laser Bee MCU to easily interface with other chips in the system. By reducing the number of components and PCB area required to implement GlueLogic, the logic device ultimately minimizes BOM costs and the time to market.



If the MCU does not have a precise temperature sensor, process and equipment costs are high.

Numerous precision analog applications involve sensors or other components that require temperature compensation. For example, in optical modules, laser drivers and other components are sensitive to temperature changes. To maintain consistent communication data rates, optical modules must precisely measure module temperature and adjust laser power accordingly. If the MCU lacks a precision temperature sensor, module temperature compensation is required during the production process, which is a costly operation in terms of process time and equipment. Laser Bee MCU products solve this problem by featuring a built-in, factory-calibrated temperature sensor with an accuracy of ±3°C, enabling highly accurate temperature measurements without the need for manual calibration by the customer.

Daniel Cooley, Vice President and General Manager of MCU and Wireless Products at Silicon Labs, said, “As a leading supplier of 8-bit MCUs in the optical module market, Silicon Labs has been committed to meeting customer requirements for high-performance analog, small form factors, and lower BOM costs achieved through single-chip integration. The newly launched Laser Bee MCU family provides next-generation 8-bit solutions supported by comprehensive hardware and software development tools to optical module developers requiring precise analog performance.”