Atmel Launches New Driver-IC Family for Automotive High-temperature Applications

Convergence Show, Detroit (ots/PRNewswire) -

- SOI Technology Allows Chip Temperatures of up to 200 degrees C
and Ambient Temperatures of up to 150 degrees C

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the
development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions,
announced today the availability of three new driver ICs for
high-temperature applications (AECQ100, Grade 0). The ATA6824,
ATA6827 and ATA6832 are designed using Atmel's new high-voltage
SMARTIS(TM) technology that enables extremely high chip temperatures
of up to 200 degrees C. As a result, ambient temperatures of up to
150 degrees C can be achieved, allowing the use of these devices in
hot environments. In mechatronic solutions such as turbochargers or
exhaust gas recirculation systems, many flaps have to be controlled
by DC-motor driver ICs which are located very close to a hot engine.
To design a complete motor-control system solution, designers can
combine the new driver ICs with Atmel's well-known family of ATmega
8-bit AVR(R) Flash microcontrollers qualified for high-temperature
automotive applications.

In contrast to standard BCDMOS bulk technology, Atmel's innovative
SMARTIS technology uses an SOI (Silicon-On-Insulator) substrate. Due
to the SOI technology's dielectric isolation, the junction leakage, a
major issue in high-temperature designs, can be minimized.
Furthermore, SOI devices provide superior latch-up immunity for
increased reliability of circuits operating in hot environments.

The small, and low-cost ATA6827 is a fully-protected triple
half-bridge driver with integrated power stages to control up to 3
different loads by a microcontroller. Each of the three high-side and
three low-side drivers are capable of driving currents up to 1.0A.
The ATA6827 supports the application of H-bridges to drive DC motors
very well. The operation modes reverse, brake, and high impedance are
controlled by the SPI interface. The enhanced version, ATA6832,
provides an additional PWM functionality with up to 25 kHz, enabling
a DC motor control to be generated without any audible noise caused
by the PWM signal.

If higher output currents are required, the ATA6824
highly-integrated MOSFET driver IC is ideal. In addition to the
H-bridge driver functionality, this device also includes a 5V/3V
voltage regulator for microcontroller supply, a window watchdog and a
serial interface. In contrast to competing products, the ATA6824
includes the motion control functionality on-chip so that only the
direction command and the PWM signal for the speed information needs
to be provided by the microcontroller. Due to the high integration,
overall system costs can be reduced while maintaining maximum
flexibility regarding the external output stages. Also, high
integration results in fewer external components and thus smaller
designs with reduced PCB area -- a critical issue with automotive
mechatronic applications.

The ATA6824, ATA6827 and ATA6832 driver ICs provide several
protection features such as over-temperature shutdown, overload and
over-voltage protection, as well as protection against short
circuits. The devices also meet the strict automotive qualification
demands (protection against conducted interference, EMC and ESD
protection) and can withstand transients as specified in ISO/TR 7637.

Price and Availability

Samples of the driver ICs ATA6824 (QFN32 package), ATA6827 (QFN18
package) and ATA6832 (QFN18 package) are available now. The pricing
is US$1.85 for the ATA6824, US$1.00 for the ATA6827 and US$1.05 for
the ATA6832 (at 10k each).

Footnotes:
BCDMOS = Mixed-signal technology with Bipolar, CMOS and DMOS components
DC = Direct Current
EMC = Electro Magnetic Compatibility
ESD = Electronic Static Discharge
PCB = Printed Circuit Board
PWM = Pulse Width Modulation
SOI = Silicon On Insulator technology

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, AVR(R), Everywhere
You Are(R), and others are registered trademarks, SMARTIS(TM) and
others are trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other
terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information

Product information on Atmel's new motor-driver ICs ATA6824,
ATA6827 and ATA6832 may be retrieved at:

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4003 (ATA6824)
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4004 (ATA6827)
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4005 (ATA6832)

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