Atmel Introduces 4-channel Power Management Unit with Real Time Clock for 32-bit MCUs

Rousset, France (ots/PRNewswire) -

- AT73C224 Sources 3V to 5V Supplies, Provides Four Regulated
Power Supply Channels, Integrates Real Time Clock and Two Wire
Interface

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the release
of its AT73C224 Analog Companion Power Management Unit designed for a
wide range of applications based on 32-bit MCUs. The AT73C224
supplies the required voltages and currents to the main sections of
generic 32-bit MCU-based applications including MCU core, memory,
I/O, USB host and interfaces.

The AT73C224 outputs four power supply channels. For the MCU core
and new-generation low-voltage memories, one Step Down DC to DC
converter supplies a 0.9V to 3.4V programmable output voltage and a
500 mA output current. Completing the coverage of output voltage, one
Step Up DC to DC converter supplying 5.2V or higher output voltage is
integrated, with output current set by an external FET up to 1A. This
can be used to supply a USB host, display modules or HDD devices. Two
linear regulators (LDO) with programmable output voltage from 1.3V to
3.3V and programmable output current are able to supply generic
interfaces with up to 200 mA in "Smoother Mode" and up to 100 mA for
sensitive RF sections using "RF Mode". Finally, a Real Time Clock
(RTC) is integrated together with a very low current (1uA) crystal
oscillator and backup battery management system.

The AT73C224 integrates several state machines that can be
selected during factory test, to significantly reduce stabilized
output delivery time during the start up sequence or default voltage
configuration. All the programmable features in the AT73C224 can be
controlled by the MCU using TWI, SPI or GPIO mode.

"The AT73C224 is an excellent example of an Analog Companion for
any 32-bit MCU application, especially Atmel ARM(R), AVR(R) or
CAP(TM) based applications," commented Michele Casetta, Marketing
Manager for Atmel's Power Management And Analog Companions (PMAAC)
Product Line. "The key point of the AT73C224 is its flexibility: it
is able to accept any type of power input from 3V to 5V, it is able
to generate power supplies from 0.9V up to 5.2V and even higher.
Finally it can manage the RTC mode of the system thanks to its own
1uA crystal oscillator and RTC macro, allowing the MCU to be switched
off, cutting leakage current and increasing battery operating time.
Confirming Atmel's leadership in the MCU market, the AT73C224
supports the company in offering a system solution."

Pricing and Availability

Atmel offers the AT73C224 in a 5 x 5 mm, 32-pin QFN package in
order to satisfy portable device manufacturers' minimum space and low
cost requirements. The AT73C224 is priced at US$1.08 in quantities of
100K units. It is available now mounted on a reference design board
or as engineering samples.

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) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof, AVR(R) and others, are registered
trademarks, CAP(tm) and others are trademarks of Atmel Corporation or
its subsidiaries. ARM(R) is a registered trademark of ARM Ltd. Other
terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's AT73C224 product information may be retrieved at
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/devices.asp?family_id=639

Press Contacts:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, Atmel Rousset
Tel: +33(0)4-42-53-61-50, Email: peter.bishop@atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Tel: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, +33(0)4-42-53-61-50,
peter.bishop@atmel.com, or Public Relations, Helen Perlegos,
+1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com, both of Atmel Corporation