AVR32 UC3L Processor Family

The AT32UC3L family is the new generation of ultra-low power 32-bit microcontroller from ATMEL based on the powerful AVR32 architecture. With 0.5mW/MHz in active mode these device will consume a quarter of power compared to other 32-bit architectures. A lot of know-how was implemented to make this device family most suitable for battery driven applications.

picoPower™ Technology

Lots of available technology have been taken over from the successful AVR 8-bit picoPower™ family as for example the zero current real time counter which consumes only 1.2µA. The Brown-Out detection automatically switches off when the device enters the sleep mode and a low-leakage process let the device operate from 1.62V to 3.6V which also includes the internal flash programmability. 

Peripheral Event System

The Event System is a hardware programmable network which connects several peripherals. A Event might be generated by a peripheral module and addressed to another module. For example the RTC generates an Event at timeout which then is addressed to the ADC. When the ADC receives this event a conversion is initiated and when the conversion is done an event is send to the DMA controller which then moves the data from the ADC peripheral to an Internal memory location. All those sequences are done without any CPU intervention and also cycle precise compared to an interrupt system. This saves current because during these sequences the CPU can be in sleep mode and has to be wake up only when data should be processed. 

Capacitive Touch System

Thank to the acquisition of Quantum Research Group ATMEL brought additional capacitive Touch support into this device family. Previous system had implemented this feature only in software which requires better knowledge of capacitive Touch systems. Within the AT32UC3L family the capacitive Touch system is implemented in Hardware and does not need fundamental knowledge to implement designs for capacitive Touch systems.

The module provides 8 channels where two buttons, one slider and one wheel can be built. One key can also be used to wake up from sleep mode.

Special Features

Up to 36 PWM Outputs may be used for PWM operations which makes this device ideal for motor control and lighting applications.

All devices incorporate a unique serial number which can be used for identification, encryption or other issues. A write protected power and clock manager gives more system security and some blocks of the internal flash can be locked from reading to protect IP code.

Block Diagram