Microchip ATA6625-GAQW: A Comprehensive CAN System Basis Chip for Automotive Applications
The increasing complexity of in-vehicle electronic systems demands highly integrated, robust, and reliable components. At the heart of many modern automotive networks lies the Controller Area Network (CAN), a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other. Microchip Technology's ATA6625-GAQW is a highly integrated System Basis Chip (SBC) that combines all the essential functions required to connect a microcontroller to a CAN bus into a single, compact package. This integration is critical for reducing system complexity, board space, and overall cost while enhancing reliability in the harsh automotive environment.
Key Features and Integration
The ATA6625-GAQW is engineered to be a complete solution for CAN node design. Its primary components include a CAN FD physical layer transceiver compliant with ISO 11898-2:2016 and SAE J2284-1 to SAE J2284-5. This transceiver supports both classic CAN and the newer, faster CAN Flexible Data (CAN FD) protocol, enabling higher bandwidth data transfer for advanced applications. Beyond the transceiver, the chip incorporates a low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator with a 5V or 3.3V, 100mA output, which can power the associated microcontroller and other local circuitry. Furthermore, it includes two high-side drivers (100mA and 200mA) and one low-side driver (200mA), which can be used to control small actuators, LEDs, or other loads directly, eliminating the need for additional driver ICs.
Designed for the Demanding Automotive Environment
Automotive electronics must operate reliably under extreme conditions, including wide temperature fluctuations, voltage transients, and electromagnetic interference. The ATA6625-GAQW is built to meet these challenges head-on. It is AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified, guaranteeing operation in ambient temperatures from -40°C to +125°C. It features exceptional electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, with up to ±8 kV ESD protection on the CAN bus pins according to the IEC 61000-4-2 standard. The device also offers comprehensive protection features such as overtemperature shutdown, undervoltage detection on both the supply and the LDO output, and permanent dominant detection on the CAN bus to prevent network lock-up.
Typical Applications
The integration and robustness of the ATA6625-GAQW make it an ideal choice for a wide array of automotive body and convenience applications. It is perfectly suited for use in:
Body Control Modules (BCMs)
Door Control Units
Seat Control Units
Steering Column Control Units
Sensor and Actuator Nodes throughout the vehicle
By providing a single-chip interface between the microcontroller and the CAN network, it simplifies design, accelerates time-to-market, and enhances the overall robustness of the electronic control unit (ECU).
In summary, the Microchip ATA6625-GAQW is a premier example of a highly integrated System Basis Chip that encapsulates critical functionalities for automotive CAN networks. Its combination of a CAN FD transceiver, voltage regulator, and output drivers, all hardened for the automotive environment, provides designers with a compact, reliable, and cost-effective solution for creating robust ECUs, ultimately contributing to the advancement of vehicle electronics.
Keywords: CAN FD Transceiver, System Basis Chip, Automotive Grade, AEC-Q100, Integrated Circuit.
