Atmel Introduces New BCDMOS Load Driver Family Member for Low-Power Applications

    HEILBRONN, Germany--March 21, 2002--Atmel(R) Corporation announced today the availability of a new member of its general-purpose BCDMOS load driver family. The new dual-quad driver IC U6820BM is manufactured using Atmel's 0.8-micron BCDMOS process to support operations up to 40 Volts. This technology is optimized for applications in harsh environments. The new BCDMOS load driver family member is especially designed for low-power applications such as Hall sensors.
    The U6820BM load driver IC includes 8 single DMOS driver stages (4 low-side and 4 high-side switches), an 8-bit serial interface and protection features to meet the strict automotive requirements. Each output stage can be controlled separately. The stages are specifically designed for low currents (30 mA) which makes the device ideally suited for low-power applications that do not require the handling of higher currents. Compared with conventional load drivers with high-current capability, this low-power device enables the design of very cost-effective systems. The 30-mA current range is perfectly suited to support Hall sensors in industrial and automotive applications. For example, the U6820BM can supply the pick-up of anti-lock braking systems by connecting a Hall sensor between each high-side and low-side switch, thus increasing the system's safety level.
    The U6820BM is also ideal for applications where a group of up to 8 low-power loads is clustered together and the control is handled by a microcontroller connected to the driver IC. For example, the U6820BM can be used to control a display consisting of 8 LEDs to highlight warnings or operation conditions, or to activate the transmitters of optocopplers.
    Atmel's objective is to provide various solutions to meet the designers' different needs and has introduced several BCDMOS load driver ICs designed for dedicated applications in 2001.
    The high-performance, fully protected driver U6815BM can be used in most microcontroller sub-systems that control up to 12 high- and low-side loads. Its 6 high-side and six low-side driver stages can directly support 600 mA each typically. The T6817 IC is a very cost-effective solution for applications that do not need the entire functionality of the well-known U6815BM, while still taking advantage of the highly sophisticated protection features. For specific applications where size is a main issue, the extra-small T6818/ T6828 in SO14 package is an ideal solution. The T6819/ T6829 are more powerful versions with a current regulation of 1500 mA in each output stage and a low on-resistance of still only 1.0 Ohm (at Tj = 150 degree C). In addition to the main functionality, which is similar to the T6818, the T6819/ T6829 also provide PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) as required in applications where the rotation speed of motors or the dimming of lamps needs to be adjusted. The T6816 with its supply voltage range of 7 V up to 40 V is dedicated for truck and bus electronic systems, and for control applications in the 24-V industrial net.
    All Atmel BCDMOS load driver ICs provide full protection against short-circuits and overtemperature. In case of undervoltage, the devices switch off completely. They also meet the strict automotive qualification demands (protection against conducted interferences, EMC and 2-kV ESD protection) and withstand transients according to ISO/TR 7637/1.
    Samples of the new BCDMOS load driver IC U6820BM in SO16 package are available now. Pricing starts at US$ 1.18 (10 k).

    About Atmel

    Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies.

    Information

    Atmel's BCDMOS load driver IC U6820BM information may be retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/atmel/acrobat/doc3bce701fe5764.pdf Requests may be sent via e-mail to mailto: literature@atmel.com or by visiting Atmel's website at www.atmel.com.

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