Freescale helps reduce cost and complexity of instrument clusters for entry-level vehicles

Freescale helps reduce cost and complexity of instrument clusters for entry-level vehicles

Freescale has introduced a cost-effective family of 16-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) designed for electromechanical instrument clusters used in entry-level vehicles.

16-bit S12HY microcontroller family with integrated LCD and stepper motor drivers targets cost-sensitive instrument cluster applications

The latest addition to Freescale’s expanding 16-bit MCU portfolio, the new S12HY family combines affordable 16-bit performance with the optimal on-chip features for cost-sensitive dashboard applications in emerging automotive markets.

The S12HY MCUs provide exactly the right amount of on-chip integration to enable the migration from mechanical solutions still used in emerging markets to modern electromechanical instrument clusters. The devices’ high degree of on-chip integration helps reduce system costs by minimizing the need for separate components. An integrated liquid crystal display (LCD) driver supports up to 160 segments for LCD-based instrument clusters. The devices’ on-chip stepper motor controller can drive up to four gauges, providing precise step-by-step control for speedometers, tachometers and other analog gauges. The MCUs also feature a controller area network (CAN) module that simplifies data communications between the engine and dashboard cluster.