Telecom Lead America: ON Semiconductor has launched a bus
transceiver IC that is compliant with the FlexRay communications protocol.
The NCV7381 single-channel device is capable of data
transfer speeds up to 10 megabits per second (Mbits/s). The new device offers a
differential transmit and receive capability between the wired FlexRay
communication medium and the protocol controller/host.
Jim Alvernaz, director of the automotive product division
at ON Semiconductor, said FlexRay is a rapidly emerging standard for in-vehicle
networking, superseding current controller area network (CAN) and local
interconnect network (LIN) based systems, with an order of magnitude increase
in data transfer speeds as well as greater reliability.
It enables more advanced safety, powertrain and comfort
mechanisms to be implemented into the next generation of automobiles. By
offering a line driver solution that can act as a robust drop-in replacement
for existing FlexRay transceivers, ON Semiconductor can enable the quick and easy
upgrade of electronic control units to support the latest version of this
standard.
The NCV7381’s mode control functionality is optimized for
nodes permanently connected to car batteries. The device offers low power
operation and a low power mode receiver that allows remote wake-up detection.
The NCV7381 can be integrated into both 12 V and 24 V
automotive power systems. It has strong electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS)
performance across its full frequency range. Interference with neighboring
circuits is reduced due to its low electromagnetic emission on the bus lines.
The device also has a high degree of electrostatic discharge protection and is
able to cope with in excess of 10 kilovolt (kV) ESD pulses. The NCV7381 is AEC
qualified and has an operational temperature range of -40 °C to +125 °C.
The NCV7381 is supplied in a Pb-free, RoHS-compliant
SSOP-16 package and priced at $1.60 for 2000 unit quantities.
