Atmel introduces driver IC for dual front wiper system without mechanical connection

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Atmel introduces driver IC for dual front wiper system without mechanical connection [Copy link]

Atmel Corporation has announced the launch of the highly integrated ATA6026 automotive driver IC, the first member of theupcoming automotive driver family. The ATA6026 is designed based on Atmel's high-voltage BCDMOS process and uses an optimized communication interface for high-capacity DC automotive applications such as windshield wiper systems, door locks or seat adjusters. The ATA6026 is used to drive continuous current vehicles in a full half-bridge (H-bridge) configuration and supports PWM and direction control drive of four different power MOSFETs. The ATA6026 includes a differential SCI transceiver to reduce radiation and improve EMC performance. Improved EMC performance is very important because the device is usually close to the car radio equipment. In a dual front wiper system, one ATA6026 motor driver is used for the left wiper and the other driver is used for the right wiper. Because the SCI interface is responsible for the coordination of the left and right wipers, there is no need for a mechanical connection between the two wipers, which is also important for everyday wiper systems, resulting in a significant reduction in noise and reduced space consumption. The SCI transceiver is a differential device that can operate in single-ended mode for systems with only one wiper. The SCI function makes the ATA6026 very similar to a LIN device; however, compared to the standard LIN interface, the ATA6026 has a faster data transfer rate of up to 100Kb. The gate driver IC is highly integrated, it includes a 5V/100mA regulator as well as a window watchdog, which reduces the number of external components and requires a smaller PCB area for the design, which is a key issue for automotive applications. Motion control is performed by the IC, so this function does not require more memory in the microcontroller. Since the regulator, motion control and watchdog are integrated into a small QFN32 package, the overall system cost is reduced while maintaining the flexibility of the output stage for plug-and-play use in automotive drive applications without the need for adapters. Low-power and low-drop on-chip regulators are used for the supply of internal and external voltages. External transceivers help reduce power consumption. When in standby, the device's sleep mode ensures a low quiescent current of typically 35 microamperes. In permanent use (100% PWM, bootstrap function not available), the fully integrated charge pump supplies the gate of the external power MOSFET for the high-side driver. In addition, the external power NMOS gate for reverse battery protection is supplied by the charge pump output. The ATA6026 offers many protective features such as thermal shutdown, overload, overvoltage and undervoltage protection, as well as full protection against short circuits. The device also meets stringent automotive quality requirements (conducted disturbance protection, EMC and ESD protection) and can withstand transients as specified in ISO/TR 7637/1. Samples of the ATA6026 gate driver IC are available now in a lead-free QFN32 package, with pricing starting at $1.99 in 10,000-unit quantities. Other family members, including devices for high-temperature applications up to 150 degrees Celsius ambient, will be available in the third quarter of 2006.