electronics-journal.com
02
'26
Written on Modified on
High-Current Control for Automotive Body Electronics
MIKROE launches the SmartMCD TB9M001FTG development board, an integrated platform for prototyping electric sunroofs, power windows, and adjustable seating systems.
www.mikroe.com
In modern automotive design, transitioning from conceptual design to a functional proof-of-concept requires hardware that can handle high-current loads while maintaining AEC-Q100 reliability. MIKROE has addressed this by introducing a development board based on the Toshiba SmartMCD™ IC. This platform integrates a microcontroller with high-side and low-side drivers, specifically engineered to manage the relay sequencing and brushed DC motor control required for power-intensive body electronics.
Integrated MCU and Driver Architecture
The board is centered around the Toshiba TB9M001FTG automotive-grade relay driver. This System-on-Chip (SoC) approach reduces the physical footprint and complexity of the control circuit.
Key Technical Specifications:
- Core Logic: ARM® Cortex®-M0 running at a maximum frequency of 40MHz.
- Memory Configuration: 192KB Code Flash, 16KB Data Flash, and 16KB SRAM.
- Power Handling: Supports two high-current brushed DC motor channels via onboard solid-state relays rated up to 20A per channel.
- Environmental Resilience: AEC-Q100 (Grade 1) qualified, supporting an operational range of -40°C to +90°C.
Prototyping and Debugging Features
To accelerate the development cycle, the SmartMCD™ board includes an "out-of-the-box" debugging ecosystem. This eliminates the need for external specialized programmers during the early stages of firmware development.
To accelerate the development cycle, the SmartMCD™ board includes an "out-of-the-box" debugging ecosystem. This eliminates the need for external specialized programmers during the early stages of firmware development.
- Onboard Debug Unit: Based on the Toshiba TMPM067FW, allowing for real-time testing and code injection directly on the target device.
- Connectivity Suite: Features USB Type-C for power and debugging, USB-to-UART communication, and dedicated LIN (Local Interconnect Network) interface support for standard automotive networking.
- Sensor Integration: Includes specialized terminals for Hall sensor monitoring, essential for position feedback in sunroof and window applications.
Impact on the Automotive Supply Chain
By providing a compact ($130text{mm} times 73text{mm}$) and fully-featured evaluation platform, MIKROE enables Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers to validate motor control logic with minimal overhead. The integration of high-current relays and AEC-compliant silicon ensures that prototypes developed on this board are architecturally similar to final production units, reducing the technical risk during the transition from the laboratory to the vehicle.
www.mikroe.com
By providing a compact ($130text{mm} times 73text{mm}$) and fully-featured evaluation platform, MIKROE enables Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers to validate motor control logic with minimal overhead. The integration of high-current relays and AEC-compliant silicon ensures that prototypes developed on this board are architecturally similar to final production units, reducing the technical risk during the transition from the laboratory to the vehicle.
www.mikroe.com
