AEK-MCU-C4MLIT3 Cost-optimized and compact size MCU discovery kit for SPC58EC80E5 Chorus 4M automotive microcontroller with CAN-

The AEK-MCU-C4MLIT3 evaluation kit consists of an MCU board (AEK-MCU-C4M3) and a connector board (AEK-CON-LIT).

The AEK-MCU-C4M3 is designed to address Automotive and Transportation applications as well as other applications requiring automotive safety and security levels. A cryptography-dedicated MCU core, employed as hardware secure module (HSM), is paired with a dual 180 MHz general-purpose 32-bit core, hosted by the on-board SPC58EC80E5 MCU, featuring 4 MB of flash memory.

Two CAN-FD transceivers support high-speed CAN-FD applications, up to 8 Mbps communication speed, featuring low quiescent current, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrostatic discharge (ESD).

The board also hosts an OpenOCD debugger/programmer, MCU peripheral connectors, wake up, and reset buttons.

The MCU ADC reference voltage is provided by a stable linear voltage regulator (LDO) embedded in the L5963 IC or by the L99VR02JTR IC depending on the chosen voltage.

The board has a dedicated supply capacity for an external 5 V or 3.3 V load.

Two e-fuses (STEF05L for 5 V and STEF033 for 3.3 V) are used to increase the external output voltage in a smooth and controlled manner, at board power-up. This careful ramp-up helps prevent a surge of inrush current from the power source to the load, thereby protecting the external power supply from overload. This feature is particularly helpful in setups where one power supply feeds multiple loads.

For system reset during the development phase, a reset button was added to the board layout, while a reverse battery protection circuit has been integrated for robust protection.

A preloaded demo firmware makes an on-board LED blink at power-up.

The MCU board can be used standalone or easily connected to another functional board, also called daughter board, thanks to the standardized 96-pin plug-and-play automotive unified connector.

If the functional board you are using does not feature the same 96-pin connector, you can connect it to the MCU board through the AEK-CON-LIT connector board (not available for separate sale) included in the kit carton box.