Next generation digital signal controller for embedded applications

Available now from Farnell element14, the LPC408x from NXP is based on the ARM Cortex-M4, a next generation digital signal controller for embedded applications that need a high level of integration and low power dissipation. The ARM Cortex-M4 features low power consumption, enhanced debug features and a high level of support block integration. Its CPU incorporates a 3-stage pipeline, using a Harvard architecture with separate local instruction and data buses as well as a third bus for peripherals. It includes an internal pre-fetch unit that supports speculative branching. This MCU supports single-cycle digital signal processing and SIMD instructions, with several versions featuring a hardware floating-point processor integrated into the core. A specialised flash memory accelerator helps achieve optimal performance when executing code from flash. The LPC408x is designed to operate at up to 120MHz CPU frequency and includes up to 512kB of flash program memory, up to 96 kB of SRAM data memory, up to 4032 byte of EEPROM data memory, External Memory controller (EMC), LCD, Ethernet, USB Device/Host/OTG, an SPI Flash Interface (SPIFI), a General Purpose DMA controller, five UARTs, three SSP controllers, three I2C-bus interfaces, a Quadrature Encoder Interface, four general purpose timers, two general purpose PWMs with six outputs each and one motor control PWM, an ultra-low power RTC with separate battery supply and event recorder, a windowed watchdog timer, a CRC calculation engine and up to 165 general-purpose I/O pins. It also features analogue peripherals, including an eight-channel 12-bit ADC, two analogue comparators and a DAC. The pinout of the MCU is intended to allow pin function compatibility with the LPC24xx/23xx as well as the LPC178x/7x families, says the company.