120-MHz ARM Cortex-M3 MCU also features Ethernet, USB and External Memory Controller
NXP Semiconductors announced availability of its LPC1788 microcontroller – the industry’s first ARM Cortex-M3-based MCU to be shipping in volume with an integrated LCD controller. With up to 96 KB of on-chip SRAM and a 32-bit external memory interface, the LPC178x series allows customers to easily and cost-effectively add high-quality graphics to their applications. With support for a wide range of graphics display panels, the LPC178x series is ideal for industrial automation, point-of-sale, and medical diagnostic applications.
“Recent advances in human-machine interface are starting to transform LCD displays in industrial, retail and medical environments. The LPC178x Cortex-M3 microcontrollers deliver an integrated LCD controller at a breakthrough price point, providing a low-cost solution for embedded system designers who want to add attractive TFT displays with animation,” said Jan Jaap Bezemer, director of marketing, microcontroller business line, NXP Semiconductors.
The LCD interface includes its own DMA controller to allow it to operate independently of the CPU and other system functions. A built-in FIFO acts as a buffer for display data, providing flexibility for system timing, while hardware cursor support can further reduce the amount of CPU time needed to operate the display. In addition, the NXP LPC178x microcontrollers support Super-Twisted Nematic (STN) and Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) graphic display panels up to 1024 x 768 pixels, from monochrome up to 24-bit true-color.
The 120-MHz LPC178x MCUs have up to 512 KB Flash, 96 KB SRAM and 4 KB EEPROM memory on-chip. The 32-bit external memory controller supports SDRAM, NOR and SRAM devices with four chip selects.
Additional peripherals available on the LPC178x and LPC177x series include a Host/Device USB controller, a 10/100T Ethernet controller, Anti-Tampering Event Recorder, eight-channel General-Purpose DMA (GPDMA) controller, 12-bit ADCs, 10-bit DAC, motor control PWM and Quadrature Encoder Interface, five UARTs, three I2C, I2S, three SSP/SPI, Smart Card interface, four timers, windowed watchdog timer, an ultra-low power RTC, and up to 165 general purpose I/O pins
NXP Low-Cost Development Tool Platform
The NXP LPC178x and LPC177x microcontrollers are supported by industry-leading comprehensive hardware development tools from IAR, Embedded Artists and Future Designs and software development tools from LPCXpresso, ARM/Keil, Code Red, IAR, Segger, MicroDigital, I2ST and many more. The LPC178x and LPC177x series are also supported by an extensive Product Driver Library and a free graphics library, SWIM (Simple Windows Interface Manager).
Pricing and Availability
Parts are available now from NXP distributors worldwide with recommended distribution pricing in 10K quantities starting in the low $3 to $7 range, depending on memory, features and package.
