Dusseldorf, 24th January, 2011 — Renesas Electronics Europe, a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced two new additions to its 16-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) within the R8C/Lx Series. The new R8C/LAxA product groups offer strong peripheral functions and minimum display capability along with ultra-low power consumption that is ranked among the best in the industry. The R8C/LA3A and LA5A MCUs comprise a total of two groups with 32 pins and 52 pins integrating up to 64 kilobytes (KB) of programmable flash memory. Sample shipments of the first products are scheduled to begin in 2Q/2011, with samples of the remaining products being shipped shortly after.
The R8C/LA3A and LA5A groups are available in low-profile quad flat packages (LQFP) with in 32 pins (7mm x 7mm) and 52 pins ( 10mm x 10mm) which offer minimum for the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) capability up to 24 segments x 4 common. Segments or IO ports are software selectable by every single port and provide flexible port usability with the smallest pin counts of Renesas Electronics’ family of MCUs with an LCD controller.
In addition to the combination of different pin counts and an LCD controller, the R8C/LAxA groups offer energy efficient features contributing to reduced overall system power consumption for longer battery life. Renesas Electronics’ first 1.8V E/W Flash memory, including the data flash area and code area, enables users to program the systems in the fields even at the end of the system’s life. The A/D conversion, which is also available from 5.5V down to 1.8V, broadens the operating range, especially for sensor applications. Along with the lower operating voltage range, the R8C/LAxA groups offer special power down modes to minimize power consumption while the system is idle.
The key differences between the two groups are listed in the table below. A variety of specifications is available with different pin counts and supported LCD sizes, allowing customers to choose the version that best matches their requirements.
|
Group |
Pin Count |
Max. Flash Memory Capacity |
LCD Size
|
Package |
|
R8C/LA5A |
52 pins |
64 KB
|
24 segments x 4 common 25 segments x 3 common 26 segments x 2 common 27 segments at static |
52-pin LQFP 10mm x 10mm 0.65mm pin pitch |
|
R8C/LA3A |
32 pins |
64 KB |
8 segments x 4 common 9 segments x 3 common 10 segments x 2 common 11 segments at static |
32-pin LQFP 7mm x 7mm 0.8mm pin pitch
|
The key features of the two groups are listed below.
(1) Combination of small pin counts and LCD controller
The combination of small pin counts and minimum display capability provides users with flexible options, even on the systems that, until now, have not included a glass display. Furthermore, the R8C/LAxA products offer a display capability for all electronic applications without an external display controller.
(2) E/W flash memory reduced to 1.8V and A/D conversion
Renesas Electronics’ first 1.8V E/W flash memory, including the data flash and code flash area, provides EEPROM-like usability. The guaranteed program and erase time is 10,000 times and data is retained for 10 years. The R8C/LAxA groups broaden the A/D conversion voltage range down to 1.8V, enabling both it and the flash memory to be active even when the battery is almost empty.
(3) Energy Efficient Power-Down Modes
Renesas Electronics’ R8C/LAxA MCUs have two power-down modes that provide smart power management with reduced overall system power consumption. The CPU and the Real Time Clock (RTC) run with 32 KHz sub clock in power off mode 2, and in the power off mode 0 only the RAM is retained, reducing the standby current consumption to less than 10nA. The combination of two power-down modes and CPU active modes offer users easy-to-access ways for energy efficient and smart system power management schemes.
(4) On-chip gain amplifier and temperature sensor
The on-chip gain amplifier offers designers a wider dynamic range of A/D conversion with ×1, ×2, ×4, ×6 and ×8 software selectable gains. An on-chip temperature sensor provides flexibility for the calibration of both internal and external components. These two functions further reduce the number of external components required to implement many designs.
Typical Applications
- Products in a wide variety of application areas, including battery-powered devices, healthcare devices, household electrical appliances, industrial equipment, security equipment, imaging devices, and office automation equipment. The products are suitable for systems that, until now, have not included an LCD.
Remarks
Names of products or services mentioned in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
About Renesas Electronics Europe
Renesas Electronics Europe with its Business Operations Centre located in Dusseldorf, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), the world’s number one supplier of microcontrollers and a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions including microcontrollers, SoC solutions and a broad-range of analog and power devices. Renesas Electronics’ European structure is comprised of five dedicated business groups serving the region’s key markets: automotive, communications & consumer, industrial, secure MCU applications, and mobile platforms. The business groups are supported by the Engineering Group, which itself includes the Engineering Design Centre; the European Quality Centre that provides technical support to local customers in Europe; and the European Technology Centre to design leading-edge products specifically for the European market. Further information about Renesas Electronics Europe can be found at: www.renesas.eu.
