Toshiba Starts Mass Production of Compact Microcontrollers with Arm® Cortex®-M4 Core for Single-Motor Control Applications
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has commenced mass production of its TXZ+™ Family Entry-Class M4L Group of compact microcontrollers. These new devices are built around an Arm® Cortex®-M4 core with a floating-point unit (FPU), targeting next-generation home appliances, consumer products, and industrial equipment.
There is a growing industry demand for enhanced energy efficiency, compact designs, IoT connectivity, and improved maintainability across various applications. This necessitates advanced motor-control microcontrollers that offer high-precision control while also integrating functions for improved development efficiency and system reliability.
Toshiba's M4L Group microcontrollers are specifically engineered for single-motor control applications. They integrate dedicated motor-control hardware, robust security functions, and comprehensive functional safety measures onto a single chip. This design offloads motor-control processing from the CPU, significantly reducing its load and enabling highly efficient and precise motor control.
Specifications
| Product Group | CPU Core | Max Frequency | Voltage Range | Code Flash | Data Flash | RAM | Package Options | Key Hardware & Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TXZ+ Family Entry-Class M4L Group | Arm® Cortex®-M4 with FPU, MPU | 80MHz | 2.7V to 5.5V | 128KB / 256KB (Dual-bank for 256KB) | 64KB (for 128KB code flash products) | 32KB (with parity) + 4KB VE RAM | LQFP64, LQFP48, VQFN48, LQFP44 (44-64 pins) | A-VE2, A-PMD2, A-ENC2, CPRO, SAM, NRFP, UL 60730 Class B support |
Key Features
- Integrates an Arm® Cortex®-M4 core with a Floating-Point Unit (FPU) and Memory Protection Unit (MPU).
- Operates at frequencies up to 80MHz.
- Supports a wide supply voltage range of 2.7V to 5.5V, compatible with 3V and 5V systems.
- Available in four compact package types (44 to 64 pins) and two memory configurations.
- Features an integrated high-speed oscillator with ±1% accuracy across 2.7V-5.5V and -40 to 105°C.
- Includes an overcurrent detection comparator for emergency motor shutdown, reducing external components.
- Supports a low-power STOP2 mode for battery-powered applications.
- 256KB products feature dual-bank flash memory for firmware over-the-air (FOTA) updates without system interruption.
- 128KB products incorporate 64KB of data flash memory for log data and configuration storage.
- Integrates security functions: Chip Protection (CPRO), Secure Access Memory (SAM), and Non-Rewritable Flash Protection (NRFP).
- Includes general-purpose communication interfaces: UART, SPI, I2C, and SMIF for external memory.
- Incorporates functional safety measures, including abnormality detection for flash, RAM, ADCs, and clock systems.
- Provides certified software compliant with UL 60730 Class B for household appliances.
- Features dedicated motor-control hardware: Advanced Vector Engine 2 (A-VE2), Advanced Programmable Motor Control Circuit 2 (A-PMD2), and Advanced Encoder Input Circuit 2 (A-ENC2).
Applications
- Next-generation home appliances
- Consumer products requiring precise motor control
- Industrial equipment demanding high efficiency and reliability
- Single-motor control applications
- IoT devices requiring enhanced security and connectivity
- Battery-powered applications benefiting from low-power modes
Availability
Toshiba has started mass production of the new TXZ+™ Family Entry-Class M4L Group microcontrollers. The devices are available in multiple configurations with 128KB or 256KB code flash memory and are offered in compact LQFP and VQFN packages with 44 to 64 pins. Toshiba is also providing product documentation, sample software, driver software, and development support, with evaluation boards and additional development environments planned in collaboration with Arm ecosystem partners.
