IO-Link solutions offer choice of memory variants

Henri Arnold

EE Times Europe (11/05/2009 10:26 AM ET)

NEC Electronics has announced the availability of its four new single-chip IO-Link solutions for IO-Link slave applications based on the close cooperation between NEC Electronics and its business partners ELMOS Semiconductor AG and TMG-Karlsruhe. The new IO-Link solutions combine NEC Electronics’ All Flash™ 78K0R 16-bit microcontroller and IO-Link transceiver, with integrated IO-Link slave protocol stack in a single package. The part numbers differ according to their flash memory capacity; uPD78F8040 offers 32 kilobytes (KB), uPD78F8041 offers 64 KB, uPD78F8042 offers 96 KB, and uPD78F8043 offers 128 KB of flash memory.
IO-Link is the new standard serial digital communications protocol used for sensors and actuators in industrial automation systems. IO-Link offers the following key advantages:

• Compatible integration into existing fieldbus or Industrial Ethernet environment
• Process, parameter and diagnosis data in one cable
• compatible cabling to existing sensor communication

One key advantage of using the IO-Link slave protocol stack offered with the NEC Electronics’ solutions is that minor upgrades could be included if the IO-Link specification is enhanced, significantly reducing development time and effort. Alternatively, designers can opt to develop and maintain their own software stacks. The transceiver integrates significant analogue components, which enable system designers to eliminate use of additional external components and develop a complete IO-Link slave product at low cost.

NEC Electronics provides an extensive product range to include a choice of memory variants all in the same device package. Developers can choose from 4 pin-compatible memory configurations in an 8mm x 8mm 56-pin QFN package making it easy to switch to a larger memory if more software is needed. Flash sizes from 32 KB to 128 KB will be available. This also allows developers to use the same PCB for multiple designs even though different amounts of software may be required. A 32 KB device can easily be replaced by a 128 KB device without having to re-design the PCB.

To support system designers in using the IO-Link single-chip solution, NEC Electronics can also provide a comprehensive development kit at lower cost than most of the other kits in the market. The 78K0R Link-It! kit is available now.

The IO-Link market is now beginning to show real promise and NEC Electronics is working with several vendors some of whom are already engaged in development projects. NEC Electronics is well placed to enable system designers to quickly and easily achieve differentiated designs using the only single-chip IO-Link solution available on the market

Availability

Samples of NEC Electronics’ new single-chip IO-Link solutions are available now. Mass production of the new devices is slated to begin in April 2010, with expected monthly mass production of 500,000 units. (Availability is subject to change without notice.)

More information about NEC Electronics' solutions for the industrial automation market can be found at http://www.eu.necel.com/iolink .

About NEC Electronics Corporation

NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets; system solutions for the mobile handset, PC peripheral, automotive and digital consumer markets; and multi-market solutions for a wide range of customer applications.

NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH (www.eu.necel.com).

More information about NEC Electronics worldwide can be found at www.necel.com.