New EFM8LB1 Laser Bee MCU Family Delivers Speed, Accuracy,
Cost-Saving Integration and Small Footprint for Optical Modules
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Silicon
Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB) has introduced a new microcontroller (MCU)
family that delivers the highest analog performance and peripheral
integration in the 8-bit market. The latest addition to Silicon Labs' EFM8
MCU portfolio, the new EFM8LB1 Laser Bee MCUs combine a high-speed
analog-to-digital converter (ADC), multiple digital-to-analog converters
(DACs), a highly accurate temperature sensor, two comparators and a 72
MHz 8051 core with up to 64 kB of flash. Laser Bee MCUs deliver their
powerful analog sting in a tiny 3 mm x 3 mm QFN package, making them a
good fit for space-constrained, performance-intensive applications such
as optical modules, test and measurement instrumentation, industrial
control equipment and smart sensors.
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For more details about Silicon Labs' EFM8LB1 Laser Bee family,
development tools and the EFM8 MCU portfolio, visit www.silabs.com/EFM8.
The EFM8LB1 Laser Bee MCU family is well suited for high-speed,
analog-intensive optical transceiver modules, which are widely used in
telecom and data communications. Optical module applications require
small-form-factor MCUs offering exceptional analog performance and
integration. The EFM8LB1 family's high degree of analog integration
helps eliminate the need for external analog components, reducing the
overall system bill of materials (BOM) cost and printed circuit board
(PCB) space while enhancing performance. For example, Laser Bee MCUs
integrate up to four 12-bit DACs, eliminating the need for four external
DACs typically required by optical modules.
The Laser Bee MCU's on-chip 14-bit, 900 ksps ADC includes an input
sequencer and direct memory access (DMA) controller, enabling raw data
collection without MCU intervention. This capability frees the MCU for
other tasks, providing an increase in overall system performance while
enabling the MCU to enter a low-power mode for energy-saving benefits.
In addition, the MCU's 72 MHz pipelined 8051-based 8-bit core can
execute more than 70 percent of instructions in 1 to 2 clock cycles,
satisfying the processing needs of high-speed optical modules and other
computationally intensive applications.
EFM8LB1 MCUs integrate four configurable logic units (CLUs), enabling
designers to implement combinational logic and/or synchronizers without
using external components. The industry's smallest CLU implementation,
the logic units support a variety of digital functions such as replacing
system glue logic, generating special waveforms or synchronizing system
event triggers. Each CLU is completely programmable, making it easier to
interface Laser Bee MCUs with other chips in the system. By reducing the
component count and PCB space required to support glue logic, the logic
units ultimately minimize BOM cost and time to market.
Many precision analog applications include sensors or other components
that require temperature compensation. For example, laser drivers and
other components in optical modules are sensitive to temperature
variations. To maintain constant communication data rates, optical
modules must precisely measure module temperature and adjust the laser
power accordingly. If an MCU lacks an accurate temperature sensor, it is
necessary to calibrate the module temperature during manufacturing,
which is costly in terms of manufacturing time and equipment. Laser Bee
MCUs address this need with a built-in, factory-calibrated ±3°C accuracy
temperature sensor, enabling very accurate temperature measurement
without any customer calibration.
"As a leading supplier of 8-bit MCUs for the optical module market,
Silicon Labs is dedicated to meeting customer needs for higher analog
performance, smaller form factors and lower BOM cost achieved through
single-chip integration," said Daniel Cooley, vice president and general
manager of Silicon Labs' MCU and wireless products. "Our Laser Bee MCUs
provide a next-generation 8-bit solution for optical module developers
who need precision analog capabilities backed by comprehensive hardware
and software development tools."
Simplifying Application Development
Silicon Labs simplifies 8-bit development with native support for
EFM8LB1 Laser Bee MCUs within the Simplicity
Studio development platform. Simplicity Studio streamlines the
process of developing IoT applications by providing MCU and wireless
developers with one-click access to everything they need to complete
their projects, from initial concept to final product, in a unified
software environment. Simplicity Studio includes an Eclipse-based
integrated development environment (IDE), graphical configuration tools,
energy profiling tools, network analysis tools, demos, software
examples, documentation, technical support and community forums.
Pricing and Availability
Samples and production quantities of the EFM8LB1 Laser Bee MCUs are
available now in a choice of QFN24 and QFN32 packages. EFM8LB1 product
pricing in 10,000-unit quantities begins at $0.52 (USD) and varies
depending on peripheral features, amount of RAM (ranging from 1 kB to 4
kB) and amount of flash memory (scaling from 16 kB to 64 kB).
To simplify application development using Laser Bee MCUs, Silicon Labs
offers the SLSTK2030A EFM8LB1 starter kit with software demonstrations
showing how the MCUs can perform temperature and voltage measurements as
well as highlighting ADC and DAC capabilities for oscilloscope and
function generator applications. The SLSTK2030A starter kit is available
now and priced at $29.99 (USD MSRP). Order EFM8LB1 Laser Bee samples and
starter kits at www.silabs.com/EFM8.
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About Silicon Labs
Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB) is a leading provider of silicon, software
and system solutions for the Internet of Things, Internet
infrastructure, industrial automation, consumer and automotive markets.
We solve the electronics industry's toughest problems, providing
customers with significant advantages in performance, energy savings,
connectivity and design simplicity. Backed by our world-class
engineering teams with unsurpassed software and mixed-signal design
expertise, Silicon Labs empowers developers with the tools and
technologies they need to advance quickly and easily from initial idea
to final product. www.silabs.com
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Silicon Labs
Dale Weisman, +1-512-532-5871
dale.weisman@silabs.com
Source: Silicon Labs
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