Embedded - Microcontrollers - Application Specific

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
MR8259A Rochester Electronics	INTERRUPT CONTROLLER, 8086; 8088	141
AM79C940BVI Rochester Electronics	MEDIA ACCESS CONTROLLER FOR ETHE	0
AM79C970AVC-G Rochester Electronics	ETHERNET CONTROLLER	0
TN82510 Rochester Electronics	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER, 1 CHANNEL	23
CY8CTMA768BUI-23 Rochester Electronics	TRUE TOUCH MCU	27264
AM79C940BJI Rochester Electronics	MEDIA ACCESS CONTROLLER FOR ETHE	981
CY8CTST100-32LKXI Rochester Electronics	TRUE TOUCH MCU	4290
TP82530-6 Rochester Electronics	SERIAL COMMUNICATION CONTROLLER	118
MR82510/B Rochester Electronics	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER, 1 CHANNEL	1318
D8274 Rochester Electronics	MULTI PROTOCOL CONTROLLER, 2 CHA	0
MD82510/B Rochester Electronics	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER, 1 CHANNEL	0
CY8CTMA463-49FNIT Rochester Electronics	TRUE TOUCH MCU	402
TA82380-25 Rochester Electronics	PERIPHERAL CONTROLLER	243
COM1553A/B Rochester Electronics	COM1553A/B	0
AM79C940BKI Rochester Electronics	MEDIA ACCESS CONTROLLER FOR ETHE	4634
N82050 Rochester Electronics	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER, 1 CHANNEL	1196
TD8259A-2 Rochester Electronics	INTERRUPT CONTROLLER, IAPX 88; I	1072
CY8CTMA400-60BUI Rochester Electronics	TRUE TOUCH MCU	4830
MQ82380-20/R Rochester Electronics	32 BIT HIGH PERFORMANCE DMA CONT	1
9517A-4DM/B Rochester Electronics	DMA CONTROLLER	735

Embedded - Microcontrollers - Application Specific

1. Overview

Application Specific Microcontrollers (AS-MCUs) are integrated circuits designed to perform dedicated functions in embedded systems. Unlike general-purpose microcontrollers, AS-MCUs are optimized for specific tasks through customized hardware, firmware, and peripherals. They play a critical role in modern technology by enabling efficient processing, real-time control, and power optimization in specialized applications such as automotive systems, industrial automation, and IoT devices.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Application-Specific Microcontrollers (AS-MCUs)	Custom I/O interfaces, optimized instruction sets, fixed-function logic	Motor control in appliances, sensor hubs
Application-Specific Standard Parts (ASSPs)	Industry-standard peripherals, pre-defined functionality	USB controllers, Ethernet PHY chips
Custom ASIC-based MCUs	Full hardware customization, dedicated accelerators	Medical imaging systems, aerospace avionics
System-on-Chip (SoC) MCUs	Integrated CPU, memory, and application-specific IP blocks	Smartphones, automotive infotainment

3. Structure and Components

AS-MCUs typically consist of:

Core Architecture: RISC/VLIW processors with specialized execution units
Memory Hierarchy: Embedded flash (128KB-8MB), SRAM with error correction
Custom Peripherals: PWM controllers, analog comparators, hardware encryption engines
Interconnect Fabric: High-speed buses (AHB/APB) with QoS management
Power Management: Multiple voltage domains, clock gating, retention registers
Package: 48-256 pin QFP/BGA with thermal dissipation features

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Processing Throughput (MIPS/GFLOPS)	Determines real-time task execution capability
Power Consumption ( A/MHz)	Critical for battery-operated devices
Memory Size & Speed	Affects code complexity and data buffering
Operating Temperature (-40 C to +150 C)	Ensures reliability in harsh environments
Interface Protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet)	Enables system integration compatibility
Functional Safety Certification (ISO 26262, IEC 61508)	Required for automotive/industrial systems

5. Application Domains

Key industries utilizing AS-MCUs:

Industrial: CNC machine controllers, predictive maintenance sensors
Automotive: Engine control units (ECUs), ADAS sensor fusion modules
Medical: MRI machine motion controllers, patient monitoring systems
Consumer: Smart home appliances, wearable fitness trackers
Telecom: 5G base station beamforming controllers

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Features
Texas Instruments	MSP430FRAS	Ferroelectric memory, 16-bit MCU for energy meters
NXP Semiconductors	S32K1xx	Arm Cortex-M4 for automotive body control
STMicroelectronics	STM32A	Automotive qualified, CAN FD interface
Microchip	PIC18FXX85	Integrated LCD driver for appliance controls
Infineon	AURIX TC3xx	Tri-core architecture for motor drives

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Match computational requirements with core architecture
Verify peripheral compatibility with system interfaces
Evaluate toolchain support (compilers, debuggers)
Assess long-term supply stability
Validate security features (AES encryption, secure boot)
Compare total cost of ownership (NRE + unit cost)

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments:

AI/ML integration for edge computing (e.g., TensorFlow Lite on-chip)
Sub-10nm process nodes enabling 200+ MHz operation
Functional safety compliance up to ASIL-D
Energy harvesting-ready ultra-low-power designs
Rise of RISC-V based customizable cores
Increased adoption in 5G IoT gateways