Highly integrated tire pressure monitoring device combines the smallest package and lowest power consumption for improved safety through precise tire pressure sensing
Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) today introduced the FXTH87 tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) family, which is the smallest 
integrated package TPMS solution available at an extremely light weight of 0.3 grams. The FXTH87 family is 50 percent smaller than competing products, helping designers reduce overall bill of materials costs. Freescale’s newest TPMS system-in-package solution provides low power consumption combined with the highest level of functional integration in one package, featuring a dual-axis accelerometer architecture, pressure and temperature sensor, integrated MCU, RF transmitter and low frequency receiver.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 23,000 accidents and 535 vehicle fatalities occur each year involving flat tires or blowouts, which TPMS systems help prevent by ensuring proper tire inflation monitoring. In addition, properly inflated tires improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, resulting in many regions worldwide, including the United States, European Union, China, Japan and Taiwan, to begin requiring TPMS in new vehicles. According to IHS iSuppli, TPMS will represent more than 25 percent of the total pressure measurement market for automotive sensors by 2015.
“We have a long history of innovation and success in pressure systems and in the automotive market, and we’re leveraging that history to bring this tiny, integrated, low-power system solution to our automotive customers,” said Babak Taheri, vice president and general manager for Freescale’s sensors solutions division. “In TPMS, size and weight are critical, because the system is installed on the car’s tire. We are offering a one-of-a-kind solution that can help improve the safety and efficiency of virtually every car on the road.”
Enclosed in a 7 x 7 x 2.2 mm package, the FXTH87 family provides the smallest footprint available, enabling form factors ideal for tire pressure sensor module developers to reduce the weight and overall bill of materials costs. The industry’s lowest RF power consumption at 7 mA ldd significantly extends battery life. Both the single- and dual-axis accelerometer options improve accuracy and facilitate more precise tire localization implementation and universal interoperability for original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket applications. And the integrated MCU and dedicated firmware offer the largest customer flash memory at 8 KB, increasing application flexibility and reducing time to market.
“Maintaining properly inflated tires is one of the best things a driver can do for his car – it makes the vehicle safer, improves efficiency and increases fuel economy,” said Charles Zhang, CEO at Baolong Group. “Freescale’s TPMS has the kind of optimized integration and small form factor that our customers expect, while also helping to reduce bill of materials costs for us. It’s a win-win solution.”
Product Features
QFN 7 x 7 x 2.2 mm package enables visible solder joint for inspection
100–450 kPa and 100–900 kPa pressure ranges
Z-axis or dual XZ-axis accelerometers
Accelerometer standard or precision tolerances available
Low-power wake-up timer and periodic reset driven by LFO
Dedicated state machines for reduced power consumption
8-bit MCU/S08 core with SIM, interrupt and debug/monitor
512 Bytes RAM / 16 k Flash (8 k for Freescale library, 8 k for applications)
Internal 315/434 MHz RF transmitter
Internal 125 kHz LF receiver
Six multipurpose GPIO pins (including two A/D inputs)
About Freescale
Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) is a global leader in embedded processing solutions, providing industry leading products that are advancing the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. From microprocessors and microcontrollers to sensors, analog integrated circuits and connectivity – our technologies are the foundation for the innovations that make our world greener, safer, healthier and more connected. Some of our key applications and end-markets include automotive safety, hybrid and all-electric vehicles, next generation wireless infrastructure, smart energy management, portable medical devices, consumer appliances and smart mobile devices. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing and sales operations around the world. www.freescale.com
