Texas Instruments unveiled its newest additions to the C2000 Piccolo microcontroller (MCU) portfolio. With streamlined performance, the new C2000 F28004x MCU family is optimized for power-control in cost-sensitive applications such as onboard chargers for electric vehicles (EVs), inverters for motor control, and industrial power supplies. By adding this new family of real-time control devices that integrate a floating-point unit, math accelerators and an optional parallel processor, the C2000 Piccolo MCU portfolio continues to set industry standards by boosting the performance of its 100-MHz central processing unit (CPU). 

Developers can reduce bill-of-material (BOM) costs while building smaller, more reliable systems by taking advantage of the industry-leading integrated analog of the C2000 Piccolo F28004x MCUs, which offer system protection and new capabilities to enable development of high-performance power-control systems. The integrated analog features include three independent 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with post-processing hardware, advanced synchronization capabilities and programmable gain amplifiers, along with a sophisticated comparator and digital-to-analog converter subsystem and a sigma-delta filter interface.

Key features and benefits of the new C2000 F28004x MCUs:

Streamlined performance and power: With 60 percent lower active power than previous Piccolo devices; the optional on-chip DC/DC converter reduces active power up to 70 percent.
Advanced actuation and design flexibility: Fourth generation of TI’s high-resolution pulse-width modulation (PWM) timer technology implements the most advanced high-frequency switching techniques for increased efficiency and power density.
Enhanced digital and analog crossbars: Combining inputs, outputs and internal resources enables flexibility to support control and protection mechanisms.
New capabilities: Embedded real-time analysis and diagnostic unit enables enhanced debugging, an ultra-high-speed serial interface improves throughput over isolation boundaries, and flexible boot modes give developers the ability to reduce or eliminate boot mode pins.

 The new C2000 Piccolo F28004x MCU builds on the generational improvements introduced in the Delfino™ F2837x and Piccolo F2807x series. These new real-time control solutions offer code compatibility with existing Piccolo MCUs, allowing customers to take advantage of the new family’s unique combination of premium performance in an affordable offering.

Developers can evaluate the new C2000 F28004x MCUs with the F280049 experimenter kit (TMDXDOCK280049M) available for US$209.00 through the TI store and authorized distributors. Production quantities of the C2000 F28004x MCUs are available in a 64-pin LQFP package, starting at US$4.85 in 1,000-unit quantities.