Atmel Targets Automotive LIN Networking Applications with Introduction of New AVR Microcontroller

SAN JOSE, California - Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of a new AVR(R) 8-bit microcontroller for automotive LIN networking applications. The ATtiny87 is the second device of a LIN-dedicated low pin-count family specially optimized for cost-sensitive LIN slave applications.

Many automotive body electronic subsystems including door lock, window lift, wiper, light system, sun, and rain sensors are connected via LIN networks. They require tiny LIN controllers with Analog/Digital converters for sensor signal formatting and a versatile 16-bit timer. The ATtiny87 includes hardware LIN UART with automatic baud-rate synchronization in slave mode. The frame processing requests only 2 interrupts; one for LIN identifier available and one for transmit or receive completed.

The ATtiny87 (8K Flash) is fully compatible with the ATtiny167 (16 KB Flash) and is available in the same set of packages: QFN32, SO20, and TSSOP20. It supports AECQ-100 grade0 and can sustain ambient temperature up to 150 degree Celsius, which is required for under-the-hood applications such as engine sensors, water pumps, and exhaust gas systems. The ATtiny87 is also available in AECQ-100 grade1 (125 degree Celsius).

As a result of the collaboration with Vector, a leading manufacturer of software tools and components for automotive networking, a complete hardware and LIN2.1 software networking solution is now available. Due to tightly integrated hardware routines, the code size for LIN is reduced to about 1 Kbyte of Flash leaving about 7 Kbytes of Flash available for the user application.

“One of the critical requirements for using embedded processors in the automotive market is the availability of an effective and well-supported LIN communication stack. Customers can easily integrate the LIN2.1 communication stack in their application and take full advantage of the code efficiency,” said Michel Passemard, Director of Automotive MCU Marketing at Atmel.

Vector has developed the LIN driver for the Atmel ATtiny87 and ATtiny167 microcontroller family. This new LIN driver supports communication packages for all Automotive OEMs. In addition, associated configuration and generation tools are also available. The LIN communication package supports all protocol versions in master or slave configurations including transport and/or diagnostics layers.

Atmel’s AVR Studio(R) and AVR JTAGICE mkII provide a multiplatform integrated development environment (IDE). The STK(R) 600 with STK600-SOIC add-on starter kit is available to start development.

Availability and Pricing

The ATtiny87 is readily available for samples and volume production. It is packaged in a 20-pin SOIC, 20-Pin TSSOP, and 32-pin QFN. ATtiny87 will be qualified at 125 degree Celsius in all packages and 150 degree Celsius in QFN and TSSOP packages. Prices start at US$1.12 in 10,000 quantities for the 125-degree qualified version. A 32 Kbytes Flash version will be introduced later to complete the family of 8 KB to 32 KB Flash low pin-count LIN controllers.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry’s broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.

(c) 2009 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), Atmel logo and combinations thereof, AVR(R), AVR Studio(R), STK(R) and others, are registered trademarks, or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

ATtiny87 product information can be retrieved at: www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4575

For further information on AVR Automotive microcontrollers, go to: www.atmel.com/products/automcu/

For further information on Vector, go to www.vector-informatik.com

Press Contacts: Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Director Automotive Phone: +49-7131-67-2081, Email: susanne.van-clewe@atmel.com Helen Perlegos, Public Relations Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: Helen.perlegos@atmel.com

Source: Atmel Corporation

Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Director Automotive, +49-7131-67-2081, susanne.van-clewe at atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations, +1-408-487-2963, Helen.perlegos at atmel.com, both of Atmel