LPC865 MCU in Drucker Diagnostics Clinical Centrifuges Application

Drucker Diagnostics, headquartered in central Pennsylvania, is a leader in the design and manufacturing of clinical tabletop centrifuges. Their centrifuges are widely used in clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, and blood banks, becoming a core part of diagnostic laboratories worldwide. Drucker Diagnostics centrifuges play a crucial role in patient sampling, routine tests, emergency tests (such as STAT tests), and blood storage.

Centrifuge Operation Principle and Design Requirements

The basic principle behind centrifuges is to separate components of a sample using centrifugal force, which is created by high-speed rotation. For example, blood plasma or serum can be separated from red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Key components of a centrifuge include the motor and power electronics, and the design must account for speed, torque, and durability. In high-demand scenarios, centrifuges require high speeds and the rotors must withstand considerable weight.

LPC865 MCU: An Ideal Low Power, High-Performance Solution

The LPC865 is a microcontroller from NXP Semiconductors, part of the LPC800 series, designed for low-power and high-performance applications. Based on the Arm Cortex-M0+ core, it offers a range of motor control features that make it well-suited for motor control, power electronics, and other automation tasks. The LPC865's integrated features, such as dual flexible timers (FTM), high-speed analog-to-digital converters (ADC), and analog comparators (ACMP), deliver exceptional performance in motor control applications.

Motor Control Applications

The LPC865's design supports a variety of motor control solutions, from simple brushless DC motors (BLDC) to permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). The flexibility, precision, and performance of the LPC865 make it ideal for devices like centrifuges that require high-speed, precise motor control and reliability.

With its specialized peripheral multiplexing (SWM) system, the LPC865 can easily configure different peripherals based on application needs, simplifying PCB design and reducing wiring complexity. This feature is especially valuable in cost-sensitive applications, such as motor control, where reducing the Bill of Materials (BOM) cost is essential.

Modular Design and Cost Optimization

A key advantage of the LPC865 is its modular design, which helps lower costs while enhancing design flexibility. In Drucker Diagnostics' centrifuge projects, the LPC865 replaced older 8-bit microcontrollers and more expensive specialized integrated circuits (ICs), significantly reducing overall costs. This switch helped Drucker Diagnostics cut costs by six times compared to previous designs.

Furthermore, the LPC865 supports a wide range of development tools, including open-source options (like GCC) and free development environments (like MCUXpresso), providing developers with an efficient and accessible development experience.

Functional Expansion and Connectivity Options

The LPC865 offers an array of I/O options to meet the needs of various applications. In Drucker Diagnostics' projects, the LPC865 allowed the design team to integrate more functionality into a single chip, reducing the need for external components and further lowering costs. The LPC865’s capabilities extend beyond motor control to include support for LCDs, buttons, LEDs, sensors, and more, ensuring design flexibility in real-world applications.

Conclusion

By adopting the LPC865 MCU, Drucker Diagnostics has improved both the flexibility and performance of their centrifuge designs while also optimizing costs. The LPC865’s low power consumption, high efficiency, and modular design make it the ideal choice for modern centrifuge development, offering a more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solution in the medical diagnostic field.

The innovative application of the LPC865 ensures that Drucker Diagnostics remains competitive in the global market, driving advancements in medical equipment technology while helping to provide more accurate diagnostic and treatment services.