Texas Instruments LM3S8930-IQC50-A2

Overview

LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 from Texas Instruments is a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller with 256 KB flash, 64 KB SRAM, integrated CAN, Ethernet MAC, USB device, and hibernation module; operates at 50 MHz and supports industrial motor control and embedded networking applications.

For engineers reviewing the LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 datasheet, LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 pinout, LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 application, or LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 50 MHz CPU clock, dual CAN interfaces, 10/100 Ethernet MAC, hibernate current of 1.7 µA, and QFP-100 package compatibility with industrial temperature range operation.

Technical Context

The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 implements the ARM Cortex-M3 core with NVIC, SysTick, and MPU, supporting Thumb-2 instruction set and deterministic interrupt latency down to 12 cycles. It integrates a dedicated hibernation module with RTC, battery-backed memory, and wake-up from deep-sleep via GPIO or RTC match.

Peripherals include one 10/100 Ethernet MAC (no PHY), two CAN 2.0B controllers, one USB 2.0 device controller, four UARTs, two SSI, two I²C, eight PWM outputs, and six general-purpose timers - all clocked from a configurable PLL-based system clock up to 50 MHz.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 is housed in a 100-pin LQFP (14 mm × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are defined per TI SPMS172I datasheet revision I, including dedicated JTAG/SWD debug pins, multiple GPIO banks, and peripheral-specific multiplexed signals.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM3S8930-IQC50-A2, LM3S811-IQN50-A2 reduces memory and connectivity for lower-cost standalone control, while TM4C123GH6PM offers higher clock speed, FPU, and USB OTG at the cost of software rework - neither is pin-compatible nor register-compatible without adaptation.

Availability

LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, building automation gateways, energy metering nodes, and remote industrial I/O modules requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for LM3S8930-IQC50-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 company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog, embedded processing, and wireless technologies since 1930.

The Stellaris LM3S series was designed as the first ARM Cortex-M3-based microcontroller family for industrial and automotive applications requiring real-time performance, integrated connectivity, and low-power hibernation - later succeeded by the TM4C series.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LM3S8930-IQC50-A2?

The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 operates at a maximum CPU frequency of 50 MHz, achieved via an internal PLL that accepts a 1–25 MHz crystal or external clock source. This frequency is fully supported across the industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) and enables deterministic real-time execution of motor control and protocol stack tasks. The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 maintains zero-wait-state access to both flash and SRAM at this speed.

Does the LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 include an integrated Ethernet PHY?

No, the LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 includes only an Ethernet MAC layer compliant with IEEE 802.3, supporting both MII and RMII interfaces. An external PHY chip (e.g., DP83848 or LAN8720) is required for physical layer signaling. The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 provides all necessary MAC control signals, clock outputs, and status inputs to interface directly with standard 10/100 PHYs without glue logic.

How many CAN controllers does the LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 integrate?

The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 integrates two independent CAN 2.0B controllers, each supporting up to 32 message objects with hardware acceptance filtering, transmit/receive prioritization, and bus-off recovery. These controllers operate concurrently and can be configured for separate networks or redundant communication paths. The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 dedicates specific GPIO pins (e.g., PC4–PC7, PD4–PD7) for CAN0 and CAN1 differential signaling.

What is the hibernate current specification for the LM3S8930-IQC50-A2?

The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 achieves a typical hibernate current of 1.7 µA when the hibernation module is active, RTC is running, and 2 KB of battery-backed RAM is retained. This value is measured at 3.3 V and 25°C per TI SPMS172I datasheet Section 6.3.3. The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 supports wake-up via GPIO, RTC match, or external interrupt while maintaining this ultra-low power state.

Is the LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 pin-compatible with any newer Texas Instruments microcontrollers?

No, the LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 is not pin-compatible with newer TI microcontrollers such as the TM4C123GH6PM, despite sharing the same 100-pin LQFP package footprint. While mechanical dimensions align, signal assignments differ significantly - especially for Ethernet, USB, and clock domains - and register maps are incompatible. Migration to TM4C requires PCB redesign and firmware adaptation. The LM3S8930-IQC50-A2 remains a standalone solution for legacy designs.