Freescale Semiconductor is adding three new pin-for-pin compatible pressure sensor replacements for the MPXHZ6000 family to its portfolio of Xtrinsic pressure sensors for automotive engine management and efficiency applications, says a company release. The MPXHZ9000 absolute temperature compensated, piezo-resistive pressure sensors provide added clipping functionality and the ability to customise in case of multiple end user applications. The MPXHZ9115A is a non-ported sensor for fuel-injected car engines, motorbike and scooter engines. The MPXHZ9400AC and MPXHZ9250AC are ported versions with tube attachments for alternative fuel or hybrid and electric vehicle applications. Samples of the MPXHZ9000 pressure sensors are available, with production planned for first quarter of 2013.
The company also introduced the new Xtrinsic PRDTX11101 automotive radar transmitter for active safety applications such as adaptive cruise control. Dan Viza, Director, Millimeter Wave Products, Freescale said, “The Xtrinsic PRDTX11101 transmitter reduces the cost and complexity of 77 GHz automotive adaptive cruise control and long-range radar applications as well as short-range automotive applications, such as blind spot detection, lane change assist and cross traffic alerts.” The Xtrinsic PRDTX11101 radar transmitter is expected to be available in March 2013.
In another development, Freescale Semiconductor and Continental have formed a strategic alliance to design a high-performance quad-core microcontroller (MCU) for advanced electronic braking system (EBS) applications. The two companies are collaborating on a custom MCU program called Quad-core microcontroller for Automotive Safety And Reliability (QUASAR) which will provide processing intelligence for Continental’s next-generation EBS products. The first device in the family integrates four e200z4 cores based on Power Architecture technology and is the industry’s first quad-core automotive MCU which has two pairs of cores in redundant lockstep.
Freescale Semiconductor has also added the new Qorivva MPC5777M multicore microcontroller (MCU), to its Qorivva product line. The advanced MCU family will provide a new generation of engine management solutions, helping automakers address new automotive fuel economy and safety regulations. The MPC5777M will power traditional diesel and gasoline direct injection systems as well as hybrid electric and plug-in electric vehicles. The MCU provides three times the performance of Freescale’s Qorivva MPC5674F MCU, which boasts the highest official performance score in the industry. Ray Cornyn, Vice-President, Global Marketing, Automotive MCU business, Freescale said, “As the global powertrain market continues to evolve, Freescale is working hard to anticipate our customers’ needs by providing the value and capabilities required for future engine control developments.” Alpha samples of the MPC5744K are available now, while general market samples will be available in 2014.
