Microchip Technology has launched its AVR EB family of microcontrollers (MCUs) to offer a solution for addressing noise, vibration, harshness and efficiency in a wide variety of cost-sensitive applications.

AVR EB MCUs can adjust speed, timing and waveform shape — creating sinusoidal and trapezoidal waveforms — to improve the smoothness of motor operations, reduce noise and increase efficiency at high speeds. These adjustments can be made on the fly, with near-zero latency, using the AVR EB MCU’s unique set of on-chip peripherals that enable multiple functions with minimal programming. The result is a reduction in code complexity, faster response to changes in operating conditions and lower overall bill of materials cost since several tasks, such as reading environmental sensors and serial communication, can be performed independent of the central processing unit. Additionally, the devices’ small form factor (as small as 3 mm by 3 mm) enables them to be mounted directly to the motor for a compact control solution.

Source: Microchip TechnologySource: Microchip Technology

Key features include:

  • New 16-bit timer/counter E (TCE) with four compare channels for pulse-width modulation and waveform extension (WEX) for smooth brushless DC (BLDC) motor control with tunable dead band insertion
  • New 24-bit timer/counter F (TCF) for flexible and accurate frequency generation and timing
  • New programming and debug interface disable for advanced code security

The new MCUs also retain the ease of use and ease of design that Microchip is known for, enabling a more rapid time-to-market.

The AVR EB family of MCUs is fully supported in Microchip’s MPLAB Development Ecosystem and is being introduced with a new Curiosity Nano Development Board to support rapid prototyping. The AVR16EB32 Curiosity Nano Evaluation Kit (EV73J36A) connects seamlessly to MPLAB X, Microchip Studio and IAR Embedded Workbench Integrated Development Environments. MPLAB Code Configurator Melody — an intuitive, web-based graphical configuration tool — can also help reduce development time.

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