Single-Wire CAN Transceivers for Automotive Networks and Body Applications - Increased Flexibility While Helping Reduce Costs

TEMPE, Ariz.--April 19, 2005--Vehicle manufacturers are clamoring for more flexibility in the low-speed, single-wire controller area network (CAN) transceivers currently used in automotive applications. To meet this market demand, Freescale Semiconductor is offering single-wire CAN transceivers that boast 8- and 14-pin compatibility.

Dual-wire CAN transceivers are used in high- and medium-speed applications with the primary goal of data transfer. Advanced automotive networks and applications such as power windows and door locks, seat and mirror controls and internal digital temperature gauges do not require high-speed data transmission. The extra power dual-wire CAN transceivers provide is wasted in these applications and can unnecessarily increase the cost of the system.

In cost-sensitive applications, single-wire CAN solutions provide an adequate speed and cost alternative. Freescale's MC33897 single-wire CAN transceivers allow the popular CAN protocol to be transmitted over one wire rather than two. The result is cost reduction for networks that don't require full, high-speed CAN transmissions. The 8- and 14-pin devices drop into the same board layout, allowing designers additional cost savings and increased flexibility.

"By being dual pin-compatible, our MC33987 devices allow designers to trade off features and costs to fully meet the needs of automobile consumers," said Demetre Kondylis, general manager of Freescale's sensor and analog products business. "Introducing flexibility through 8- and 14-pin single-wire CAN transceivers is one more way Freescale is driving innovation into the automotive industry."

The MC33897 is designed in accordance with the General Motors Corporation GMW3089v2.3 Single Wire CAN Physical Layer Specification. The devices also support features such as low sleep-mode current that minimizes battery drain, bus signal waveshaping that meets automotive electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements and a broad range of protection features that prevent faulted nodes from interfering with other network communications. Operating directly from a vehicle's 12-volt battery system or a local DC power source, the MC33897 functions at either low or high data rates.

MC33897 features

The MC33897 incorporates many safety and performance-enhancing features. A high-voltage wake-up feature allows the MC33897 and MC33897A devices to control the external regulator used to supply a microcontroller (MCU) and other logic. The system MCU can command a low-power sleep mode via mode pins, which causes the MC33897 and MC33897A to turn off the external regulator. The presence of a defined wake-up voltage level on the bus reactivates the control line to turn the regulator and the system back on.

Safety and performance-enhancing features include:

-- Eight- and 14-pin compatible

-- Complies with GMW3089v2.3

-- Detects and automatically handles loss of ground

-- Operates at low (33.33 kbps) or high (83.33 kbps) data rates

-- Interfaces directly to standard 3.3-volt and 5.0-volt CMOS microcontrollers

-- Has thermal shutdown with hysteresis

-- Offers controlled voltage and current waveshaping of bus drive for low electromagnetic interference (EMI)

-- Provides high-voltage wake-up feature

-- Has a maximum sleep-mode current of only 60 uA

-- Offers current limit to prevent damage due to bus shorts

-- Has built-in thermal shutdown on bus output

-- Is protected against vehicular electrical transients

-- Provides undervoltage lockout to help prevent false data with low battery

-- Has available Pb-free packaging, designated by suffix code EF

Pricing and availability

The MC33897 and MC33897A 14-pin devices are in production and available today at a suggested retail price of 87 cents (USD) per unit in 10,000-unit quantities. The MC33897B 8-pin device is available in sample quantities now. Production quantities are planned for 3Q05 at a suggested retail price of 76 cents (USD) per unit in 10,000-unit quantities. For more information about the MC33897, visit http://www.freescale.com/files/pr/MC33897.html.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (US).

www.freescale.com

Freescale Technology Forum

The Freescale Technology Forum, to be held in Orlando, Fla., June 20 -23, will offer several sessions specific to analog design: These include:

-- Networking: Power Distribution - Distributed or Intermediate Bus Architecture (NAR501)

-- Industrial Control - How to Add a Touch Panel to Your Next Design (ZAR116)

-- Automotive: Predictive Reliability of Intelligent Power Switches for Automotive (ABE106)

-- Automotive: Power Management Solutions for Automotive Applications (AAR107)

Learn more about this inaugural forum featuring visionary keynote speeches, in-depth technical presentations and technology demonstrations from Freescale and leading hardware, software and tool providers. www.freescale.com/ftf

Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. (C) Freescale Semiconductor Inc. 2005