Gen purpose 16-bit MCU from Renesas integrate
DTC, ELC and advanced Timer
Renesas Electronics Corporation has announced the expansion
of the RL78 microcontroller (MCU) family with the introduction
of the RL78/G14 Group with advanced on-chip peripheral functions
and power-efficient features. This group targets applications
including household appliances, healthcare devices, office
equipment and industrial automation systems, and medical
and consumer products such as motor control, security systems
and mobile devices.
The key features include:
Incorporate advanced time modules-'Timer RD', 'Timer RG',
and 'Timer RJ'-which are compatible to timers in the R8C
MCU family. Timer RD comprises two 16-bit timers capable
of operating at 64 megahertz (MHz) and a pulse wave modulation
(PWM) function able to output (six) three-phase waveforms
with the amplitude specified by the user. Timer RG is a
16-bit timer module than can automatically measure the counts
of a two-phase encoder in phase counting mode. Timer RJ
is a 16-bit timer module than can measure the pulse width
or cycle of pulse output or external pulse input.
The RL78/G14 MCU devices integrate a data transfer controller
(DTC) and event link controller (ELC), which have a proven
track record on the R8C Family of reducing the CPU load
and lowering current consumption. The DTC enables memory
to memory data transfers without using the CPU. Compared
with the DMA function of the RL78/G13, the DTC supports
a larger number of transfer channels and activation sources,
and it also enables data transfers from the flash memory.
The event link controller (ELC) allows direct connection
between peripherals bypassing the CPU, and interrupt controller
to provide faster and more deterministic real-time control.
It is also possible to use the ELC to start peripheral functions
when the CPU is stopped, thereby reducing current consumption.
The new MCU products with 96 kilobyte (KB) or more flash
memory feature two channels of 8-bit D/A converter (DAC),
analog comparators with window function previously available
on the R8C Family MCUs. The DAC can be utilized to implement
audio playback, or to generate high-resolution voltage signals,
with minimal external components reducing system cost.
The new MCUs add multiply, divide, and multiply and accumulate
instructions to the instruction set of the RL78/G13's CPU
core, eliminating the need to handle overflow interrupts
when performing arithmetic operations. In addition, the
on-chip debugging functions of the new microcontrollers
with 96 KB or more of flash memory now support trace data
for up to 256 branches, enabling more efficient system development
and evaluation.
The new MCUs are available in flash ROM capacities ranging
from 16 KB to 256 KB, RAM capacities from 2.5 KB to 24 KB,
and a total of 17 package configurations, including Quad
Flat Package (QFP), compact Quad Flat Non-Leaded (QFN) package,
and Land Grid Array (LGA) package, with pin counts from
30 to 100 pins.
Renesas also plans to enhance the new RL78/G14 Group with
devices with up to 512 KB of flash ROM, 128 pins and 105?
operation for systems including cooking appliances.
Development tools for the RL78/G14 Group include the IAR
Embedded Workbench, Renesas' E1 integrated on-chip debugging
emulator, and IECUBE full-function in-circuit emulator.
There are also plans to release a Flash Programmer and Renesas
Starter Kit (RSK) supporting these new MCUs.
Availability: Now in samples, mass production is
scheduled to start in December 2011
Price: price for the new products differs depending
on the memory capacity, package type, and pin count. For
example, samples of the R5F104ACASP with 32 KB of on-chip
flash memory, 4 KB of on-chip RAM, and a 30-pin Shrink Small
Outline Package (SSOP, 7.62 mm) are priced at US$0.88 per
10,000 units.
