Toshiba Launches RF-IC for China ETC System

Achieves low power consumption and low voltage drive suited for battery operation

TOKYO - Wednesday, June 5th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced that it has launched an RF-IC[1] for the fast-growing China ETC[2] market. Samples are available now with mass production scheduled to start from November 2013.

ETC sets in China usually operate on battery power and requiring ICs that offer low power consumption and low voltage operation. Toward meet this demand, the new RF-IC, TC32168FTG, contains a wake-up function that starts the microcontroller only when it receives radio signals from ETC toll booths, lowering power consumption. It also achieves low voltage operation, a fast boot sequence and dual channel reception.

In order to reduce traffic congestion, China will start multi-lane free flow (MLFF) service, which allows drivers to pass through toll gates at higher speeds than conventional ETC systems, by the end of 2013. Drawing on its experience of supplying the Japanese ETC market, Toshiba will develop products suited for the growing China market and aim to expand its RF-IC business.

Main Features

    Wake-up Function To reduce power consumption of the ETC set, TC32168FTG features a wake-up function that starts the microcontroller only when it receives a radio signal from the ETC toll booth.
    Low Voltage Drive Operates on 1.8 to 3.6V supply to support cell battery operation.
    Fast Boot Sequence In an MLFF system, the RF-IC must achieve a fast boot sequence, from sleep to RX status, since vehicles pass through the toll gate at faster speeds than in conventional ETC systems. TC32168FTG achieves RX status in approximately 500μs due to improvements of the circuit.
    Dual channel reception Able to receive downlink dual channels (5830MHz and 5840MHz, stipulated in the China GBT20851 ETC standard) simultaneously and selects the stronger signal as the desired one.



Main Specifications

Part Number
         

TC32168FTG

Supply Voltage
         

1.8V - 3.6V

Package
         

QFN32 (5mm x 5mm, 0.5mm pitch)

Operation Temperature
         

-40°C - +85°C

Power Consumption
         

In Wakeup
         

4.5μA typ.
     

In TX
         

35mA typ.
     

In RX
         

30mA typ.

Wakeup Sensitivity
         

-45dBm typ.

Receiver Sensitivity
         

-65dBm typ.

Output Level
         

+3dBm (Max)
           

Notes [1] RF-IC: Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit [2] ETC: Electronic Toll Collection

Customer Inquiries: Mixed Signal Controller Group Tel: +81-44-548-2821


Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.


About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 550 consolidated companies, with 202,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.1 trillion yen (US$74 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

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Contacts

Toshiba Corporation

Semiconductor & Storage Products Company

Koji Takahata, +81-3-3457-4963

semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp