NXP Semiconductor introduces the LPC54100 series of microcontrollers

NXP Semiconductors introduces the LPC54100 series of microcontrollers, a major advance in sensor-based products and a major breakthrough in ultra-low power "always on" sensor processing. Using a market-proven, innovative, patented architecture, the series achieves unmatched energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption by an average of 20% compared to the closest competing products.

The LPC54100 series enables continuous sensor monitoring with only 3µA of current, which is essential for alway on applications. A first-of-its-kind feature in sensor applications, the family's asymmetrical dual-core architecture enables scalable power/performance in operation, enabling developers to use the Cortex-M0+ core (55 μA/MHz) to handle sensor data acquisition, integration, and external communication to optimize energy efficiency, and to optimize energy efficiency. Or use the CortexM4F kernel (100 μA/MHz) to perform complex mathematically intensive algorithms (for example, motion sensor fusion) faster while saving energy.

The architecture features a new set of analog and digital interfaces designed specifically for high energy efficiency, including 12-bit, 4.8Msps/s ADCs capable of supporting a wide range of performance specifications over a wide voltage range (1.62 to 3.6V), and low-power serial interfaces. These interfaces allow the LPC54100 series to deliver lower power consumption than any other microcontroller in its class.

Jim Trent, vice president and general manager of NXP Semiconductor MicroControllers, said: "Advanced features introduced in today's mobile devices, such as scene, location and environment awareness, as well as motion, touch and gesture-based interaction, and even voice activation, are enabled by an ever-increasing number of 'always on' sensors. In the near future, other industries will also need smartphone-like product features to enhance their customer experience to similarly make significant progress. Currently, many existing MCU sensor processing architectures are too energy-intensive or cannot scale effectively as the number of sensors increases. The LPC54100 series enables the smarter, user-centric experiences that sensors enable, enabling any industry to benefit."

The LPC54100 series is suitable for multiple applications, including mobile, wearable health/fitness, industrial applications (environmental monitoring, home and building automation lighting, robotics) and gaming, or other applications where long battery life is a key enabler of an enhanced end-user experience.

Collaborative sensor processing solutions and developer ecosystem

To help embedded developers bring sensor-based product designs to market faster, NXP has partnered with strategic manufacturers and sensor processing middleware providers, including Bosch Sensortec, CyWee Motion, Hillcrest Labs, and others. NXP has also partnered with Bosch Sensortec to provide a one-stop sensor processing/motion solution that combines the LPC54102 microprocessor with nine of the most widely used sensors, including Bosch Sensortec's motion and pressure sensors and sensor fusion middleware. Use NXP's LPCXpresso development platform and support. Using this solution, customers are able to very simply integrate motion sensing and other sensor-based capabilities, enhancing the capabilities of next-generation products.

Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec, said: "This is a big moment for sensors and products that use sensors. "Our active collaboration with NXP on sensor processing/motion solutions provides an integrated development platform that makes it easy for customers to create and validate new sensor-based designs."

ShunnanLiou, Managing director of CyweeMotion, said: "The NXP LPC54100 series has made great progress in low energy consumption, which is very exciting for us. The use of sensors in many product platforms is increasing. With the LPC54100, sensor usage will extend to low-power designs and enhance the customer experience."

Dan Simpkins, CEO of Hillcrest Labs, said: "Hillcrest Lab is proud to partner with NXP to deliver innovative sensor-enabled user experiences for mobile devices and wearables. "The LPC54100's broad, energy-efficient DSP instruction set provides the ideal platform for our advanced sensor processing software to enable 'always on' scene detection and activity tracking for the next generation of sensor-based devices."