Atmel Introduces 4-channel Power Management Unit with Real Time Clock for 32-bit MCUs

Atmel Introduces 4-channel Power Management Unit with Real Time Clock for 32-bit MCUs

AT73C224 Sources 3V to 5V Supplies, Provides Four Regulated Power Supply Channels, Integrates Real Time Clock and Two Wire Interface

Rousset, France, September 8, 2008…Atmel® Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), announced today the release of its AT73C224 Analog Companion Power Management Unit designed for a wide range of applications based on 32-bit MCUs. The AT73C224 supplies the required voltages and currents to the main sections of generic 32-bit MCU-based applications including MCU core, memory, I/O, USB host and interfaces.

The AT73C224 outputs four power supply channels. For the MCU core and new-generation low-voltage memories, one Step Down DC to DC converter supplies a 0.9V to 3.4V programmable output voltage and a 500 mA output current. Completing the coverage of output voltage, one Step Up DC to DC converter supplying 5.2V or higher output voltage is integrated, with output current set by an external FET up to 1A. This can be used to supply a USB host, display modules or HDD devices. Two linear regulators (LDO) with programmable output voltage from 1.3V to 3.3V and programmable output current are able to supply generic interfaces with up to 200 mA in “Smoother Mode” and up to 100 mA for sensitive RF sections using “RF Mode”. Finally, a Real Time Clock (RTC) is integrated together with a very low current (1uA) crystal oscillator and backup battery management system.

The AT73C224 integrates several state machines that can be selected during factory test, to significantly reduce stabilized output delivery time during the start up sequence or default voltage configuration. All the programmable features in the AT73C224 can be controlled by the MCU using TWI, SPI or GPIO mode.

“The AT73C224 is an excellent example of an Analog Companion for any 32-bit MCU application, especially Atmel ARM®, AVR® or CAP™ based applications,” commented Michele Casetta, Marketing Manager for Atmel’s Power Management And Analog Companions (PMAAC) Product Line. “The key point of the AT73C224 is its flexibility: it is able to accept any type of power input from 3V to 5V, it is able to generate power supplies from 0.9V up to 5.2V and even higher. Finally it can manage the RTC mode of the system thanks to its own 1uA crystal oscillator and RTC macro, allowing the MCU to be switched off, cutting leakage current and increasing battery operating time. Confirming Atmel’s leadership in the MCU market, the AT73C224 supports the company in offering a system solution.”

Pricing and Availability

Atmel offers the AT73C224 in a 5 x 5 mm, 32-pin QFN package in order to satisfy portable device manufacturers’ minimum space and low cost requirements. The AT73C224 is priced at US$1.08 in quantities of 100K units. It is available now mounted on a reference design board or as engineering samples.

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.