Infineon Offers PFC and FOC on XC878 Series of 8-bit Microcontrollers for Energy Efficient Motor Drives

Neubiberg, Germany – May 19, 2008 – Infineon Technologies AG (FSE/NYSE: IFX) today announced that they have added another series of cost-effective 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) to its powerful XC800 family. The new XC878 family is capable of supporting both Power Factor Correction (PFC) and Field Oriented Control (FOC) and enables excellent torque dynamics, reduced noise and higher energy efficiency for motor drives in industrial and automotive applications. Infineon is the world’s first microcontroller supplier to offer standard 8-bit MCUs supporting both PFC and FOC for price-sensitive applications, such as air conditioning systems, pumps and fans.

PFC controls the amount of current drawn from the AC-voltage source. Line powered motor control applications continue to require more power efficiency and the ability to obtain regulated DC power source with reduced current harmonic distortion. FOC is a technique for operating electric motors to achieve smooth and efficient operation at all speeds, delivering motor efficiency of up to 95 percent.

The XC878 MCUs offer 16-bit performance at 8-bit costs, and operate up to 27 MHz with up to 64 Kbytes of flash memory and a 16-bit vector computer. Two independent PWM units with up to ten PWM outputs and four separate time bases allow to control two 3-phase motors independently.

XC878 MCUs make motor drive system costs approximately 50 percent less

Motor drive systems, like air-conditioner compressors, benefit from the combination of PFC and FOC on 8-bit MCUs. With an Infineon XC878, the system cost can be reduced by about 50 percent from today’s cost of approximately US-$ 4 to approximately US-$ 2, since an 8-bit MCU featuring FOC can handle tasks formerly performed by 16-bit or 32-bit MCUs. The two PWM units with separate time bases make it possible to combine motor control and PFC algorithms on one chip, for additional system cost savings.

In addition, the FOC is quieter during motor operations, and provides higher efficiency by running the motor at an optimum torque at all times.

Technical information on the 8-bit XC878 MCU series

The new XC878 MCU series today includes up to 12 product variants that differ in peripheral set, flash memory (52 or 64 Kbytes) and temperature range. The products enhance the 8-bit XC800 family by providing higher performance through its zero-wait state flash and 16-bit vector computer, as well as up to 64 Kbytes of on-chip flash memory for program and data, two CAN nodes and a 10-bit Fast ADC. Additionally, the XC878 MCUs provide two capture compare units, which make the XC878 capable of running two motors or controlling LED lighting. The devices are also designed to enable simplified development of CAN (Controller Area Network) systems through an on-chip MultiCAN interface for transportation applications, such as construction vehicles, forklifts and maritime electronics, and industrial automation applications.

The XC878 MCUs provide an on-chip clock generation unit with integrated safety features like clock supervisory functions. They are offered in a green LQFP-64 package for the -40 °C to +85 and -40 °C to +105 °C temperature range and 3 V to 5.5 V voltage range.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the XC878 are available. Production is expected to begin in September 2008. A full suite of low-cost development tools, including starter kits, development kits, documentation and a free Small Device C Compiler (SDCC) based tool chain are available now. Pricing for the XC878 MCUs in a LQFP-64 package in 10,000-piece quantities starts at Euros 1.50 (approximately US-$ 2.20).

XC878 MCUs presented at PCIM Europe 2008 Trade Show

Infineon is demonstrating the new XC878 series and an application kit for the Dual 3-phase motor control featuring XC878 MCUs in its Booth #404, Hall 12 at the PCIM Europe 2008 Trade Show (Nuremberg, Germany, May 27-29).

For more information on the XC878 and Infineon’s product portfolio of 8-bit MCUs, please visit http://www.infineon.com/xc878 and http://www.infineon.com/xc800

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