High-end CAN networking applications targeted by new AVR controller

2005-11-10

The Atmel AT90CAN128 is an 8-bit AVR Flash microcontroller with extended CAN (Controller Area Network) capabilities. This new device features 16 MIPS processing speed and integrates in a single chip the features of the existing mega128 and the proven V2.0A/V2.0B CAN controller used in the Atmel CANary microcontroller family. The CAN controller can handle 15 independent message objects, programmable on-the-fly. With a 16 MIPS AVR RISC-engine, 128-Kbyte Flash program memory, 4-Kbyte RAM and 4-Kbyte on-chip EEPROM, the AT90CAN128 can tackle the most demanding industrial control applications.

A large portion of the AT90CAN128 processing speed and memory remains available for the application while a full higher layer protocol stack (CANopen, DeviceNetT or J1939) runs on the chip. An interrupt accelerator engine informs the CPU of critical messages without running a software scan routine, minimizing the overhead impact on real time event applications.

A highly flexible In-Application Programming capability, via CAN, UART or SPI allows remote programming and field upgrades. Atmel offers a library of In-Application Programming routines to customers wanting to build their own bootloaders, reducing overall development time.

AT90CAN128 peripherals include 16-bit timers with enhanced Pulse Width Modulation capabilities, a powerful 10-bit/8-channel A/D converter and several serial interfaces. A wide operating voltage range (2.7V-5.5V) plus five low-power management modes optimise the application’s power consumption.

AT90CAN128 is pin-to-pin compatible with the mega128. It is available in TQFP64 and QFN64 packages, both are fully green and in industrial temperature.

A CAN physical interface module kit (ADAPCAN01), the AVR development kit (STK500) and the 64-pin TQFP expansion module (STK501) are all available ex-stock from DT Electronics. A C-code drivers library for all peripherals including the CAN-driver and various program examples are provided in the interface module kit.