ST introduces flexible and configurable dual-channel I/O-Link and SIO dual-mode transceivers

     STMicroelectronics releases the L6364 transceiver to bring more flexibility to connecting IO-Link devices. In addition to the DC/DC converter and dual-mode UART transceiver, the new product offers two communication channels that can be configured as dual outputs for increased drive current strength.

     The L6364 supports IO-Link's COM2 (38.4 kbaud) and COM3 (230.4 kbaud) communication rates, as well as standard single input/output (SIO) communication mode. The two outputs are composed of an IO-Link CQ pin and a standard DIO pin, each with surge protection and polarity reverse protection. The drive current strength can be set up to 250mA, the two channels can be parallel, and the drive current can reach 500mA.

     The L6364 connects to the primary microcontroller (MCU) via an on-chip SPI port, reports diagnostic events via an included interrupt pin, and exchanges sensor data with the MCU using UART or single byte or multi-byte (SPI) mode. On-chip integrated UART supports IO-Link message sequencing (M-Sequencing), which can be set to IO-Link or standard single input/output (SIO) in an IO-Link 8-bit data with unlimited M-Sequencing size. The internal data buffer supports up to 15 8-bit data.

     At normal operation start-up, the MCU is configured with the L6364 via the SPI interface, and the initial communication mode is the SIO device, which drives the output pins of the MCU configuration. If the chip is connected to the IO-Link master, the master can initiate the IO-Link communication mode of the chip by sending a wake up request.

     This highly integrated transceiver integrates a DC/DC buck converter with a configurable output voltage and a 3.3V and 5V low voltage drop regulator (LDO) with an output current of 50mA. The LDO regulator power supply can be an external power supply or a DC/DC converter; The LDO regulator connects to the external pins of the chip to power the MCU and sensor.

     The L6364 is designed to emphasize flexibility and ease of use, including a wide operating voltage from 5V to 35V. The new product also offers flexible protection with configurable thresholds for thermal shut-off, UVLO (Undervoltage lock) and undervoltage, overvoltage and overload detection. The L6364 is also equipped with short circuit, ground and Vcc power disconnection detection. In addition, when a preset threshold is exceeded, the transceiver can also report additional diagnostic information to the MCU via the interrupt pin, including wake-up recognition, short circuit, undervoltage, and a 7-bit calibrated temperature sensor reading.