NEC - Sample shipment of four new single-chip IO-link solutions announced
Published Nov 6 2009 [Printer friendly version] [Email article to a friend] [More Semiconductor articles]
Availability of its four new single-chip IO-Link solutions has been
announced, by NEC Electronics, for IO-Link slave applications based on the
close cooperation between NEC Electronics and its business partners ELMOS
Semiconductor AG and TMG-Karlsruhe.
The new IO-Link solutions combine NEC Electronics’ All Flash 78K0R 16-bit
microcontroller and IO-Link transceiver, with integrated IO-Link slave
protocol stack in a single package. The part numbers differ according to
their flash memory capacity; uPD78F8040 offers 32 kilobytes (KB), uPD78F8041
offers 64 KB, uPD78F8042 offers 96 KB, and uPD78F8043 offers 128 KB of flash
memory.
IO-Link is the new standard serial digital communications protocol used for
sensors and actuators in industrial automation systems. IO-Link offers the
following key advantages: Compatible integration into existing fieldbus or
Industrial Ethernet environment; Process, parameter and diagnosis data in
one cable; Compatible cabling to existing sensor communication.
One key advantage of using the IO-Link slave protocol stack offered with the
NEC Electronics’ solutions is that minor upgrades could be included if the
IO-Link specification is enhanced, significantly reducing development time
and effort. Alternatively, designers can opt to develop and maintain their
own software stacks. The transceiver integrates significant analogue
components, which enable system designers to eliminate use of additional
external components and develop a complete IO-Link slave product at low
cost.
NEC Electronics provides an extensive product range to include a choice of
memory variants all in the same device package. Developers can choose from 4
pin-compatible memory configurations in an 8mm x 8mm 56-pin QFN package
making it easy to SWITCH to a larger memory if more software is needed.
Flash sizes from 32KB to 128KB will be available. This also allows
developers to use the same PCB for multiple designs even though different
amounts of software may be required. A 32KB device can easily be replaced by
a 128KB device without having to re-design the PCB.
To support system designers in using the IO-Link single-chip solution, NEC
Electronics can also provide a comprehensive development kit at lower cost
than most of the other kits in the market.
The IO-Link market is now beginning to show real promise and NEC Electronics
is working with several vendors some of whom are already engaged in
development projects. NEC Electronics is well placed to enable system
designers to quickly and easily achieve differentiated designs using the
only single-chip IO-Link solution available on the market, says the company.
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