Meeting stringent safety requirements while minimizing design complexity and cost has long been a challenge for engineers. To address this, Microchip Technology Inc. has launched the AVR® SD series microcontrollers (MCUs), designed specifically for applications requiring high reliability verification. Priced at under $1, this entry-level MCU is the first in its price range to meet Automotive Safety Integrity Level C (ASIL C) and Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL 2) standards. Additionally, its functional safety management system has been TÜV Rheinland certified, further enhancing its safety credentials.
The AVR SD series integrates advanced hardware safety features, including:
- Dual-core lockstep CPU
- Dual ADCs (Analog-to-Digital Converters)
- Full memory ECC (Error Correction Code)
- Dedicated error control module
- Fault injection mechanism
- Voltage and clock monitors
These features significantly reduce fault detection time and simplify software complexity, achieving a failure detection time interval (FDTI) as low as 1 millisecond. This rapid detection helps prevent hazardous situations and improves overall system reliability.
When combined with Microchip’s safety framework software, the AVR SD series can autonomously manage functional safety diagnostics, detect and handle errors, and trigger safe states when necessary.
The AVR SD series MCUs offer versatile functionality in safety-critical applications. As a standalone MCU, it is ideal for low-power tasks such as thermal runaway detection and rotary position sensor monitoring, ensuring precise fault detection with minimal energy consumption. Additionally, it can function as a co-processor in complex systems, offloading or mirroring safety-critical operations, making it particularly well-suited for applications requiring higher safety levels (ASIL D & SIL 3).
Designed to meet international ISO 26262 (automotive) and IEC 61508 (industrial) safety standards, the AVR SD series is applicable in multiple industries, including:
- Aerospace and Defense – Flight control systems
- Industrial Automation – Robotic safety functions
- Automotive – Ignition control, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
- Medical – Infusion pumps and other life-critical devices
Developers can streamline their design process using Microchip’s TÜV SÜD-certified MPLAB® XC8 Pro compiler and the Curiosity Nano development board, both of which provide a robust platform for functional safety applications. Additionally, a comprehensive functional safety software package is available, including safety documentation such as FMEDA reports, safety manuals, and dependency analysis, as well as safety software and compliance reports.
By integrating functional safety at an entry-level price point, the AVR SD series enables engineers to meet stringent safety standards more efficiently, significantly reducing development time, system complexity, and certification costs.
