The TMPA912CMAXBG is the latest addition to Toshiba's family of low-power, scalable ARM-based microcontrollers.

Based on the 32-bit ARM926EJ-S core, the TMPA912CMAXBG caters for embedded systems that on one hand require integrated display control & graphic processing capabilities, but on the other can forgo memory, performance & additional functionality offered by earlier flavours of the Toshiba ARM9 family.

Capable of running at a maximum of 150MHz (-20° to +85°C) or 200MHz (0° to +70°C) the new micro provides 32Kbs of embedded RAM, a memory controller supporting SDR, DDR SDRAM & addressing of up to 2.5Gbytes of liner access space & a 8-channel DMA.

Targeted at Man-Machine Interface (MMI) applications the chip includes an integrated LCD controller, a touch screen interface, a CMOS camera interface & a LCD data processor accelerator. With the LCD controller providing support for TFT & STN display sizes of up to 1024 x 768 pixels & the LCD accelerator supporting resolutions to WVGA in addition to providing image scaling, filtering & blending functions, the majority of embedded display needs can be catered for with this device.

On the connectivity side, the TMPA912CMAXBG provides: SPI, UART, I2C, I2S & a high speed USB (480Mbps) device controller. Other on-board peripherals include: a six-channel 10-bit ADC, six-channel 16-bit timer, a watchdog timer, real-time clock, SSP (SPI/MicroWire mode) & a power management circuit (PMC).

The micro is fully pin compatible with other member of the family, which not only helps to protect investments, but provides scope to upgrade the higher end devices with the minimum amount of system design, should the need arise.

To assist with embedded system development, the TMPA912CMAXBG is supported by a starter kit & reference platform in addition to extensive software tools that include graphics libraries & embedded operating systems.

Looking for a scalable, low-powered ARM-based device to quickly add MMI functionality to your embedded design? Toshiba could well have the answer.

Useful links
Toshiba Electronics Europe [www.toshiba-components.com]