Texas Instruments LM3S1150-EQC50-A2

Overview

LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 from Texas Instruments is a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller with 256 KB flash, 32 KB SRAM, integrated hibernation module, 4× UARTs, 2× SSI, 2× I²C, 8× PWM outputs, and analog comparators - deployed in industrial motor control and embedded automation systems requiring low-power operation and real-time responsiveness.

For engineers reviewing the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 datasheet, LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 pinout, LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 application, or LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 equivalent, key selection criteria include hibernation-capable RTC support, 50 MHz CPU clock, QEI interface for position sensing, and dual 16-bit PWM modules with dead-band generation for motor drive timing integrity.

Technical Context

The LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 implements the ARM Cortex-M3 core with Thumb-2 instruction set, NVIC interrupt controller, SysTick timer, and MPU - enabling deterministic real-time execution with up to 50 MHz operation. It integrates a dedicated hibernation module with battery-backed RTC and 2 KB hibernate memory, supporting sub-μA sleep current.

Peripherals include four UARTs (one with IrDA/SIR), two SSI controllers (SPI/SSI/Microwire compatible), two I²C masters/slaves, eight PWM generator outputs with configurable dead-band, and quadrature encoder interface (QEI) for direct motor shaft position decoding - all mapped to GPIO pins via flexible peripheral multiplexing.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 is housed in a 100-pin LQFP (14 mm × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with exposed thermal pad. Pin assignments are defined per TI SPMS012I datasheet Section 5.1 and Table 5-1 (GPIO/Pin Multiplexing).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar microcontroller applications.

Compared with LM3S1150-EQC50-A2, LM3S1968 offers Ethernet and ADC at the cost of hibernate capability, while TM4C123GH6PM delivers pin-compatible evolution with USB, deeper hibernate features, and active manufacturer support - making it the recommended migration path for production continuity.

Availability

LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, smart sensor nodes, PLC I/O modules, and embedded HMI controllers requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle assurance.

Supply support for LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies, with decades of industrial-grade MCU development expertise.

The Stellaris LM3S series was designed specifically for cost-sensitive, real-time embedded applications demanding low-power operation, integrated analog interfaces, and deterministic interrupt response - targeting motor control, sensor hubs, and programmable logic subsystems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2?

The LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 operates at a maximum CPU clock frequency of 50 MHz, as specified in the Texas Instruments SPMS012I datasheet Section 5.2.4. This speed is achieved using the internal PLL with an external crystal or oscillator input. The LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 maintains full peripheral functionality-including UART, SSI, and PWM-at this rate, enabling tight real-time control loops in motor and automation applications.

Does the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 support hardware debugging?

Yes, the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 includes full JTAG and SWD (Serial Wire Debug) support via dedicated TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO/nTRST pins, as documented in Section 4 of the SPMS012I datasheet. It supports breakpoints, watchpoints, and real-time register inspection. The LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 is compatible with TI's ICDI-based debug probes and standard ARM-compliant tools such as Keil MDK and Segger J-Link.

What power modes does the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 support?

The LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 supports Sleep, Deep-Sleep, and Hibernate modes. Hibernate mode draws less than 2 μA and retains RTC time, hibernate RAM, and wake-up configuration. Section 6 of the SPMS012I datasheet confirms that the hibernation module includes battery-switchover circuitry and independent clock domain. The LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 exits Hibernate in under 100 μs upon RTC match or external interrupt.

Can the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 generate complementary PWM signals with dead-band?

Yes, the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 contains two 16-bit PWM generator blocks, each supporting up to four output signals with programmable dead-band insertion between complementary pairs. As described in Section 15.3.4 of SPMS012I, dead-band delay is adjustable in 1–64 clock cycles (at PWM clock rate), preventing shoot-through in half-bridge or inverter gate drivers. The LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 uses dedicated PWM fault inputs to force safe shutdown on overcurrent events.

Is there an integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2?

No, the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 does not include an ADC. It features two analog comparators with internal voltage reference (Section 14), but no successive-approximation or sigma-delta ADC. For designs requiring digitized analog inputs, external ADCs must be interfaced via SPI (SSI) or I²C. This distinguishes the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2 from variants like LM3S1968, which integrate a 10-bit 8-channel ADC - confirming the LM3S1150-EQC50-A2's focus on timing-critical control rather than general-purpose analog acquisition.