5-MHz UFm bus controllers support complex data transfers in advanced gaming systems

April 27, 2012 // Paul Buckley

NXP Semiconductors has introduced the industry's first high-performance I2C-bus controllers capable of handling both Fast-mode Plus (Fm+) and the new Ultra Fast-mode (UFm) specification , which has transmit-only data transfer rates up to 5 Mbit/s.

By providing one large 4.25-kB data buffer per channel and reducing interrupts to the host processor, the PCx966x product family has been optimized for efficient I2C designs in repetitive data-intensive LED controller and stepper motor applications, such as those found in the gaming industry.

Invented by NXP (formerly Philips Semiconductors) over 30 years ago, the I2C bus has revolutionized chip-to-chip communications by replacing complex parallel interfaces with a straightforward yet powerful serial structure using a simple two-wire format. The I2C bus continues to be used extensively for system management and control in computing and enterprise equipment, and in portable and consumer applications, where it shrinks the IC footprint and leads to lower system costs. 

Operating at speeds of up to 5 MHz, the new Ultra Fast-mode (UFm) is a uni-directional push-pull serial bus ideally suited for driving LED controllers and other devices that do not require feedback. With its newest UFm and Fm+ bus controllers, NXP is significantly enhancing I2C performance for gaming systems such as Japanese pachinko and slot machines, by improving management of large, complex data transfers, and enabling stronger resistance to electrical shock attacks.

The PCx966x I2C-bus controllers allows easier programming of the microcontroller for repetitive, data-intensive applications. The device enables large data transfers resulting in fewer interrupts to the system microcontroller and a faster load cycle and has the ability to communicate with up to 64 slaves in a single serial sequence as well as being JTAG-enabled for boundary scan requirements.

All products are released and available for sampling through distributors worldwide.

PCA9661B – 1 channel Fm+ in 48-pin LQFP package: www.nxp.com/pip/PCA9661B

PCA9663B – 3 channel Fm+ in 48-pin LQFP package: www.nxp.com/pip/PCA9663B

PCU9661B – 1 channel UFm in 48-pin LQFP package: www.nxp.com/pip/PCU9661B

PCU9669B – 1 channel Fm+ and 2 channel UFm in 48-pin LQFP package: www.nxp.com/pip/PCU9669B

A video presentation on NXP's new Ultra Fast-mode I2C devices is available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY_PdflCCnI       

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