F29H85x Real-Time Microcontrollers

Introduction

Texas Instruments’ F29H85x is a C2000 family of real-time microcontrollers built around the C29x 64-bit CPU architecture. The series combines three 200 MHz C29x CPUs with substantial ECC-protected on-chip memory, control-oriented peripherals, integrated diagnostics, and an isolated hardware security module (HSM).

The combination is technically notable for designs that need deterministic real-time control alongside secure processing and functional-safety-oriented device features. The family is targeted for functional-safety capability up to ASIL D and SIL 3.

What it does

F29H85x devices provide three C29x 64-bit processing cores—CPU1, CPU2, and CPU3—operating at 200 MHz. Their memory resources include 4 MB of CPU-mappable ECC-protected flash, 256 KB of data-only ECC-protected flash, and 452 KB of ECC-protected RAM. The isolated HSM has its own 512 KB ECC-protected flash and 36 KB ECC-protected RAM.

For control and data-acquisition work, the series integrates five ADCs, 12 windowed comparators with 12-bit DAC references, two buffered 12-bit DAC outputs, and 36 high-resolution-capable PWM channels. Six eCAP modules, six eQEP modules, and 16 sigma-delta filter module input channels further support timing, position-feedback, and sensing functions.

Communication options include EtherCAT, FSI, SPI, UART, CAN FD/MCAN, SENT, I²C, and LIN. In particular, the devices provide five high-speed SPI ports operating up to 50 MHz, six high-speed UARTs, six CAN FD/MCAN interfaces, six SENT interfaces, two I²C interfaces, and two LIN interfaces. Two 10-channel RTDMA controllers with MPU are also integrated.

Applications

Potential uses that follow from the available control, sensing, communications, safety, and security features include:

• Multi-axis industrial control systems using PWM outputs, encoder interfaces, and ADC acquisition
• Automotive electronic control modules using CAN FD, LIN, SENT, and real-time processing
• EtherCAT-connected industrial equipment requiring local control and network communication
• Sensor-intensive control nodes using ADCs, comparators, sigma-delta inputs, and DMA
• Secure embedded controllers that can use the dedicated HSM resources
• Systems combining multiple real-time tasks across separate C29x CPU cores

Design considerations

The F29H85x operates with a 1.2 V core supply and 3.3 V I/O supply, so board power architecture and logic-level compatibility should be considered early in the design. Devices can provide up to 190 usable signal pins, which can support peripheral-rich implementations but also makes pin planning important where numerous PWM, analog, feedback, and communications signals are needed.

ECC protection is specified for CPU-mappable flash, data-only flash, main RAM, and dedicated HSM memory. Designs that rely on the device’s safety- and security-related features should account for the stated integrated diagnostics, error checking, safety and security unit, and HSM in their system architecture. The specified ambient operating range is -40°C to +125°C.

Availability and further information

The source/distributor and datasheet links on this page provide further information on the F29H85x real-time microcontroller series, including detailed device documentation and ordering-related details.