Atmel's DC Motor Control IC With Enhanced PWM Functionality Reduces Noise

Heilbronn, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the
development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions,
announced today the availability of the new ATA6831 driver IC with
enhanced PWM performance for smooth DC motor control with reduced
noise. The ATA6831 is designed to control, via a microcontroller, two
DC motors or up to three different loads in automotive and industrial
applications such as flap control for a cash dispenser. Thanks to the
device's high voltage capability (up to 40V), the ATA6831 can also be
used in 24V-supplied truck applications. Since the device is
manufactured using Atmel's high-voltage BCD-on-SOI technology
(SMARTIS(TM)), the IC provides a broad range of protection features
and a very attractive price.

The small, low-cost ATA6831 is a fully-protected, triple
half-bridge driver with integrated power stages. Each of the three
high-side and three low-side drivers are capable of driving currents
up to 1.0A. The ATA6831 supports the application of H-bridges to
drive DC motors. The device's PWM functionality allows smooth motor
control: With an enhanced PWM frequency of up to 25 kHz, which is
outside the human acoustic range, the DC motor control is carried out
without any audible noise caused by the PWM signal. The reverse,
brake, and high impedance operation modes are controlled by the SPI
interface.

The ATA6831 provides several protection features such as
overtemperature warning and shutdown, overload, overvoltage
protection, and full protection against short circuits. Several
diagnostic bits are set in the SPI output register and can be read by
the microcontroller. In case of undervoltage at the supply pin, the
power-supply fail bit in the output register is set and all outputs
are disabled. If the overtemperature pre-warning bit is set, the
system developer can implement software routines on the
microcontroller to decrease the power dissipation and temperature.
Further temperature increases beyond a certain level will cause the
IC to shut down to prevent destruction. The device also meets strict
automotive qualification demands (protection against conducted
interference, EMC and ESD protection) and can withstand transients as
specified in ISO/TR 7637.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of the ATA6831 driver IC are available now in Pb-free
QFN18 packages with pricing starting at US $0.99 for 10k-piece
quantities. An application board for development support can be
ordered for US $131. For applications with ambient temperatures of up
to 150 degrees Celsius, the high-temperature derivative ATA6832 is
available.

Footnote
BCDMOS = Mixed-signal technology with Bipolar, CMOS and DMOS components
DC = Drain Current
EMC = Electro Magnetic Compatibility
ESD = Electronic Static Discharge
PWM = Pulse Width Modulation
SOI = Silicon On Insulator technology

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, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere
You Are(R).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, Everywhere You
Are(R), and others are registered trademarks, SMARTIS(TM) and others
are trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms
and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information

Product information on Atmel's new load-driver IC ATA6831 may be
retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?fami
ly_id=606&family_name= Automotive+Control&part_id=4055

Contact: Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and
Automotive Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or
susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations,
USA and Asia Pacific Rim, +1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com, or
Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager, Europe,
+33-1-30-60-70-68, or fax, +49-71-31-67-24-23, or
veronique.sablereau@atmel.com.

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com, or
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations, USA and Asia Pacific Rim,
+1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau,
Corporate Communications Manager, Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, or fax,
+49-71-31-67-24-23, or
veronique.sablereau@atmel.com