TI’s DSP-based controllers now AEC Q-100 qualified

Oct 20, 2004 5:32 PM

Texas Instruments (TI) says its DSP-based C28x controllers are now AEC Q-100 qualified, and also said that it’s gained customer commitments for embedded FlexRay in TMS470 MCUs. FlexRay-ready parts are expected to be available around this time next year, when final FlexRay Consortium conformance tests have been implemented. “Right now, customers can start implementing sophisticated motor control techniques for increased fuel efficiency and reduced weight electronic power steering and integrated alternator starter applications with our AEC Q-100 qualified C2000 controllers,” says Matthias Poppel, TI’s worldwide advanced embedded control automotive marketing manager.

He adds that automakers are facing increased pressure to improve fuel efficiency not only because of high fuel costs, but also to meet increasingly strict emissions standards worldwide. “Switching from a hydraulic steering system to an electromechanical model eliminates the constant drag on the engine while the reduced weight contributes to overall fuel economy.”

High-performance motor control applications such as electronic power steering and integrated starter alternators require high performance, real-time processing to reduce overall weight and manufacturing time, and to increase fuel economy and reliability, according to Poppel. He cites estimates that EPS leads to a 3% to 4% improvement in fuel economy, and that ISA can lower emissions by as much as 15%.

“With 150 MIPS DSP performance, enhanced bus structures, high math efficiency, and vectored peripheral interrupt structures--interrupt responses at 80 nanoseconds--C28x controllers can support the code densities and real-time operation required for reliable, high-performance EPS and ISAs,” Poppel says.

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