Atmel Announces Extremely Flexible Airbag System Power Supply IC

Convergence Show, Detroit (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Broadest Set of Functionalities, Highest Accuracy, and Customer
Programmability

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the
development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions,
announced today the availability of a new monolithically-integrated
ATA6264 airbag system power supply IC especially suited for high-end
automotive airbag applications. The new device, manufactured in
high-voltage 0.8-um BCD technology, provides a rich set of features
not available from any other competitive device. These features
include measures against undervoltage conditions and battery cable
loss, intelligent power sequencing, integrated watchdog and other
diagnostic/monitoring functions. In addition, the ATA6264 provides
the highest accuracy as well as unrivalled flexibility due to its
programmability.

The ATA6264 handles the voltage supply for complete airbag systems
(which includes the sensors, microcontrollers, and firing devices)
with programmable voltage levels. Communication with the
microcontroller is carried out via a 16-bit SPI, while two ISO9141
interfaces enable the communication with diagnostic testers; one of
these interfaces can be customer-programmed as a LIN interface.

The voltage supply section of the ATA6264 consists of a boost
converter with adjustable voltage, two buck converters and a linear
regulator that can be customer-programmed. This flexibility allows
the user to adapt the ATA6264 to the needs of different system
requirements and thus simplifies stocking issues.

The output voltage of the boost converter is defined by an SPI
command, and an external voltage divider, and can be adjusted from
15V to 40V. The high supply voltage charges the capacitors to feed
the system in the event of an undervoltage condition, such as a
disconnected battery.

An integrated one-time-programmable memory (OTP), which is used to
program the ISO interface, allows the user to program the output
voltages of the buck converters (7.8 to 10.4V, 1.88 to 5.0V) and the
highly-accurate linear regulator (3.3V and 5.0V) during the
production process (end-of-line programming by an in-circuit tester).
If the linear regulator's 100-mA current capability is not
sufficient, the user can extend it using an external bypass
transistor. The ATA6264 supports dual microcontroller systems with
intelligent power sequencing, preventing the buck converters' output
voltages from exceeding a predefined limit and reliably defining
which one of the microcontrollers is activated first.

As a unique feature, if the airbag power supply IC detects an
undervoltage condition and the loss of the supply voltage (for
example, a battery cable disconnect during a crash), then it
automatically draws its energy from a back-up capacitor connected to
the boost converter.

The diagnosis and monitoring section of the ATA6264 adds safety to
the system and helps minimize the number of system components. Five
integrated voltage sources for resistor measurements -- especially
suited for monitoring the buckle switches of an airbag system -- are
available.

Temperature diodes embedded in both buck converters and the linear
regulator measure the chip temperature. In the case of an access
temperature condition, a status bit is set and the microcontroller
can react.

The safety philosophy is further expanded by an integrated
watchdog timer and reset circuitry. In the event of a microcontroller
failure or improper voltages, the ATA6264 sends a reset command.

The device meets strict automotive qualification demands; it is
protected against conducted interferences according to ISO/TR7637/1
EMC and ESD protection.

Price and Availability

Samples are available now in RoHS-compatible QFP44 packages with
pricing starting at US $3.30 for 10k-piece quantities.

Footnote
BCD = Mixed-signal technology with Bipolar, CMOS and DMOS components
EMC = ElectroMagnetic Capability
ESD = ElectroStatic Discharge
LIN = Local Interface Network
OTP = One-Time Programmable Memory
RoHS = Regulation on Hazardous Substances
SPI = Serial Peripheral Interface

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, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere
You Are(R).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, Everywhere You
Are(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

Product information on Atmel's new airbag system power supply IC
ATA6264 may be retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4000

Contact: Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and
Automotive Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or
susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com; or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
- USA and Asia Pacific, +1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com; or
Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe,
+33-1-30-60-70-68, or Fax, +49-7131-67-2423, or
veronique.sablereau@atmel.com.

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

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

Contact:
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com; or
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific,
+1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau,
Corporate Communications Manager - Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, or Fax,
+49-7131-67-2423, or veronique.sablereau@atmel.com