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Microcontrollers extend battery life by factor of 4.
October 29, 2009 -
Based on ARM® Cortex(TM)-M3 architecture, 32-bit EFM32 Gecko Microcontrollers consume less than 180 µA/MHz while executing real life code from Flash. Units include 900 nA LCD controller, 8-channel 12-bit 1 Msamples/sec ADC running at less than 200 µA, 100 nA brown-out detector, 32 kHz real-time counter running at 50 nA, and UART capable of 9,600 bps at 100 nA. Offered in 22 models, MCUs operate from 1.8-3.8 V single supply rail at temperatures from -40 to +85°C.
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Energy Micro Announces World's Most Energy Efficient Microcontroller
EFM32 Gecko microcontroller family delivers 4x increase in battery life
Oslo, Norway, 21st October 2009 - Energy Micro, the energy friendly microcontroller company, today announced the availability of its first products, the 32-bit EFM32 Gecko microcontroller family. Based on the ultra-efficient ARM® Cortex(TM)-M3 microcontroller architecture, the EFM32G has been proven to extend battery life by a factor of four, consuming a quarter of the energy required by existing 8, 16 or 32-bit microcontrollers.
Proven to consume less than 180µA per MHz while executing real life code from Flash, the EFM32G achieves the lowest active mode current consumption of any microcontroller. Its standby current consumption is also the lowest, at typically 900nA while running real time clock, power-on reset, brown-out detector and full RAM and CPU retention and less than 20nA in its deepest sleep mode. Furthermore, the microcontroller's start-up time of less than 2µs is the industry's fastest.
"We are very proud that we have delivered on our mission to provide the world with the most energy friendly microcontrollers," said Geir Forre, founder and CEO. "By introducing innovative new energy saving features, such as our peripheral reflex system and energy management unit, the potential saving in battery life that can be achieved is immense. Competing solutions just can't match the EFM32G's performance."
Ian Drew, the executive vice president of marketing at ARM adds, "ARM's main focus is to provide the world with the most energy efficient microcontroller architectures. We believe that the world's most energy efficient microcontrollers are based on the Cortex-M architecture and we are delighted with its adoption by Energy Micro. It is a good day for MCUs."
Specific highlights in the EFM32G's rich feature set contributing to its ultra low energy consumption include: a 4x40 segment LCD controller running at less than 900nA; an 8-channel 12-bit 1M samples/sec ADC running at less than 200µA; a brown-out detector running at less than 100nA; a 32kHz real time counter running at 50nA; and a UART capable of 9600bps at 100nA. The EFM32G family of microcontrollers has been specified in close partnership with many world leading companies within, for example, the energy metering, home and building automation and alarm and security industries," said ~yvind Janbu, co-founder and CTO of Energy Micro. "Working so closely with top engineers in such sectors has enabled us to produce a family of microcontrollers that truly is a perfect fit for a variety of different applications."
Bjarne Ravndal Andreasen, R&D manager at VELUX A/S, one of Energy Micro's partner customers and one of the strongest brands in the global building materials and home improvement industry said, "VELUX is constantly looking for ways to extend the battery life of our products and when Energy Micro revealed their low energy ambitions to us we decided to engage in a close collaboration with them. As well as the attraction of extremely low energy consumption we recognised that the EFM32 products could be used in a broad variety of VELUX electronic products."
Anders Skallebak, R&D manager at Kamstrup A/S, the very first Energy Micro partner customer and one of the leading European energy metering companies said, "Kamstrup engaged in collaboration with Energy Micro even before the company had finalised the initial specification of the products. Based on previous experience of working with this team in their first start-up, Chipcon, and due to the large energy savings we could make on our battery operated meters we decided to engage with Energy Micro 18-months ago. The first Kamstrup products containing EFM32 are likely to reach the market in 2010."
22 different EFM32G microcontroller products will become available over the next few months, in a variety of packages including QFN32, QFN64, QFP100 and BGA112. The EFM32G operates from a single supply rail of between 1.8 and 3.8V. The operating temperature range is -40degC to +85degC. The microcontrollers provide up to 128KB Flash memory and up to 16KB of RAM.
The first products are being offered by Energy Micro in QFN64 and BGA112 profiles and are currently sampling with lead customers. Pricing for the initial 32-pin devices starts at $1.55 in 100k quantities.
For further information and reader enquiries:
Geir Forre, Energy Micro AS, PO Box 4633, Nydalen, N-405 Oslo, Norway
g.forre@energymicro.com
Tel: +47 23 00 98 00
Fax: +47 23 00 98 01
www.energymicro.com
About Energy Micro
Energy Micro develops, markets and sells the world's most energy friendly microcontrollers, based on the industry leading ARM® Cortex(TM)-M3 32-bit architecture. The company was founded in 2007 by experienced semiconductor professionals with previous expertise from Chipcon, Texas Instruments, Atmel and Nordic Semiconductor. More information on Energy Micro is available at www.energymicro.com
About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, video engines, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. www.arm.com
About VELUX
VELUX creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof. Our product programme contains a wide range of roof windows and skylights, along with solutions for flat roofs.In addition, VELUX offers many types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products, products for remote control and thermal solar panels for installation in roofs. VELUX, which has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, is one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX Group has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S. VKR Holding A/S is a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. www.velux.com
About Kamstrup
Kamstrup is a globally active hi-tech company specializing in the field of system solutions for energy metering. It serves energy suppliers with sustainable technologies that automatically collect and administer data regarding energy consumption in electricity, cooling, heating, water and gas units, in a clear and cost saving manner. www.kamstrup.com
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