Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1442802
Smart Controllers: Design Considerations Every carpenter knows that you need the right tool for the job. Sometimes you need a hammer to get the job done. Other times you may need a sledgehammer, and other times you may need the crane with a wrecking ball. In the same manner, electronic designers must pick the correct smart controller for the job. The preference in any electronic design is likely given by the correct balance and interrelationship among these general smart controller design considerations. • Simplicity is preferred • Low part and system cost is preferred • Low power consumption is preferred • Smaller physical size • Simple control code • Meets all the performance requirements with sufficient protection margins Robust & Reliable: An 8-bit MCU Example for IoT The Internet of Things (IoT) is about interconnecting embedded systems. It brings together two evolving technologies: wireless connectivity and smart sensors. Combined with recent advances in low power microcontrollers, these new "things" are being connected to the internet easily and inexpensively, ushering in a second industrial revolution. 8-bit MCUs are excellent parts to employ in IoT applications that may require reading a few sensors and controls. Let's take a look at how Microchip Technology's ATtiny3217 8-bit tinyAVR 1-Series Microcontroller is suitable for increased functionality in sensor nodes in IoT applications (Figure 1). As an 8-bit MCU, it is cost-effective and easy to implement to enhance the capability and responsiveness of IoT sensor nodes. These devices come with advanced analog features, along with a variant that offers the largest Flash memory in this family of devices. Ideal for sensor applications that also incorporate capacitive touch interfaces, it offers two Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) that enable systems to implement touch control simultaneously with other analog measurements. Benefits also include improved real-time performance and accuracy because the dual ADC can be used for synchronous sampling of analog signals, such as voltage and current, thus improving real-time performance and accuracy of the overall system. Robust and reliable performance is assured with built-in safety functions to help you detect and respond to voltage supply variations or drops. There is also improved noise immunity and functionality in extreme environments since the devices operate at up to 5V and are available in 125°C variants. The parts also provide increased functionality with more room for application code and are optimized for performance, power efficiency, and ease of use. Real-World Ready: A 16-Bit DSC Example for Industrial and Automotive Sometimes performance demands are greater than what an 8-bit MCU can provide, as is often the case for industrial and automotive applications. A 16-Bit Digital Signal Controller (DSC) may be appropriate to tackle the job. DSCs are designed to integrate control attributes of MCUs with computation capabilities of DSPs in a single core. Time-Critical control applications are indicative of where this performance is demanded, allowing your design to work effectively in real-world situations. Designed to deliver faster deterministic performance in these demanding applications, Microchip Technology's dsPIC33CK 16-Bit Digital Signal Controllers family of single-core DSCs have expanded context- selected registers to reduce interrupt latency and new, faster instruction execution to accelerate Digital Signal Processor (DSP) routines (Figure 2). They are well suited for motor control, digital power, and other applications requiring sophisticated algorithms such as automotive sensors and industrial automation. The family has been designed specifically for controlling multiple sensorless, brushless motors running field-oriented control algorithms and power factor correction. | 13 | ATtiny3217 8-bit tinyAVR 1-Series Microcontroller Figure 1: Attiny3217 8-bit tinyAVR 1-Series Microcontroller. (Photo: Mouser Electronics) Learn more > • 32KB of Flash, offering plenty of room for application code while retaining a small physical footprint on the PCB • Ideal for sensor applications including capacitive touch interface • Three sleep modes: Idle, Standby, Power Down