The A-Engine is a C/C++ programmable microprocessor core module (5V only) with a 16-bit 40 MHz CPU.
It supports up to 512 KB ROM/Flash, 512 KB battery-backed SRAM, and a 512-byte EEPROM. A real-time clock (RTC72423) provides information on the year, month, date, hour, minute, second, and 1/64 second. Two DMA-driven serial ports support communication up to 115,200 baud.
The A-Engine can be integrated into an OEM product as a processor core component. It also can be used to build a smart sensor, or a node in a distributed microprocessor system. By building your product around the A-Engine, you reduce the time from design to market introduction, cut development costs, minimize technical risks, and deliver a more reliable product.
There are three 16-bit programmable timers/counters and a watchdog timer. Two timers can be used to count or time external events up to 10 MHz. They can also be used to generate non-repetitive or variable-duty-cycle waveforms as PWM outputs.
The Pulse Width Demodulation (PWD), a distinctive feature, can be used to measure the width of a signal in both its high and low phases. This has potential in a variety of applications, such as bar-code reading.
The A-Engine has 32 user-programmable CPU I/O pins, plus 24 bi-directional, user-definable I/O pins from a PPI (82C55) chip. Schmitt-trigger inverters are provided to increase noise immunity for external interrupt inputs. A supervisor chip (691) provides power failure detection and a watchdog timer.
The 12-bit ADC has sample-and-hold, a high-impedance reference input, 11 single-ended 0-5V (or 0 to REF) inputs, and a 10 kHz sample rate. Two 12-bit DAC provide 0 V to 4.095 V analog voltage outputs capable of sinking or sourcing 5 mA. The 82C55 PPI can be used to interface to a 20×4 LCD and keypad or other controllers.
The A-Engine expects a regulated 5V voltage supply, and does not provide RS232 or RS485 drivers for the serial ports. The VE232 can be used to provide this during development/debugging. If you are using this controller stand-alone, you might want to consider the A-Engine-P.
The A-Engine-P is based on the A-Engine design, and offers an on-board 5-volt regulator and two RS-232 drivers, in addition to standard AE features. The third optional UART SCC2691 can be either RS-232 (default) or RS-485, to be specified when ordering. The A-Engine-P does not require the VE232.
The A-Engine shares a similar pin-out and physical dimensions with the 586-Engine, i386-Engine and V25-Engine-LM. Be sure to also check out the A-Engine-86, which is a 16-bit external bus version of the A-Engine. It has almost double the performance capabilities of the original A-Engine.
A-Engine Specs:
- Measures 3.6×2.3×0.3 inches
- 16-bit CPU (188), x86 compatible
- 20/40 MHz system clock
- Power consumption: 190/130 mA at 5V
- Power saving mode: 30/25 mA at 5V
- Up to 512 KB Flash/EPROM
- Up to 512 KB battery-backed SRAM
- 2 high-speed PWM outputs, PWD
- 24 I/O lines from PPI
- 32 I/O lines from CPU
- 512 bytes serial EEPROM
- 8 external interrupt inputs
- 3 16-bit timers/counters
- Up to 3 serial ports
- 11 12-bit ADC (10 kHz sample rate)
- 2 12-bit DAC
- Real time clock, battery, watchdog
- Interface for LCD, keypad
A-Engine-P Specs (adds):
- Measures 3.6×3.8×0.3 inches
- RS-232/485 drivers, 5V regulator
AE (40 MHz):
- Includes 188 processor 40 MHz with 128 KB SRAM
- 32 I/Os, 2 UARTs
- 3 timers
- 82C55 with 24 I/O lines
- watchdog timer
- 512 byte EE
- Does not include add-on options
- OEM option discounts available.
Quantity | Price |
---|---|
1 | $129 |
100 | $104 |
1,000 | $79 |
5,000+ | $54 |
Add-on Options:
No. | Options | Price |
---|---|---|
1 | SRAM: (512KB) | $20 |
2 | Debug ROM (AE_0_115) | $20 |
3 | Real-time clock and battery | $20 |
4 | UART (SCC2691) | $20 |
5 | 11 ch. 12-bit ADC | $20 |
6 | 2 ch. 12-bit DAC (LT1446) | $20 |
7 | VE232 interface board | $69 |
8 | Sockets for expansion: two 20×2; one 25×2 | $18 |
AE-P (40 MHz) :
Quantity | Price |
---|---|
1 | $139 |
100 | $114 |
1,000 | $89 |
5,000+ | $64 |
Add-on Options:
No. | Options | Price |
---|---|---|
1 | UART (SCC2691) w/ drivers: a) RS-232 (default)/b) RS-485 | $30 |
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