Microcontrollers with on-chip Flash memory and LCD driver

The main differences between the eight groups are as follows. A line-up of models with flash memory capacities ranging from 128 to 48kbytes in each group enables customers to select the most suitable products for different applications.

Product names take the form: package pin count, Data Flash provision, LCD size [Segments × Common].

1. R8C/L3AA: 100 pins, data flash included, LCD size [56×4 or 52×8 support]
2. R8C/L3AB: 100 pins, no data flash, LCD size [56×4 or 52×8]
3. R8C/L38A: 80 pins, data flash included, LCD size [47×4 or 43×8]
4. R8C/L38B: 80 pins, no data flash, LCD size [47×4 or 43×8]
5. R8C/L36A: 64 pins, data flash included, LCD size [30×4 or 26×8]
6. R8C/L36B: 64 pins, no data flash, LCD size [30×4 or 26×8]
7. R8C/L35A: 52 pins, data flash included, LCD size [22×4]
8. R8C/L35B: 52 pins, no data flash, LCD size [22×4]

With up to 128kbytes of on-chip flash memory, which is large for a microcontroller with an on-chip LCD driver, the devices suit applications requiring large-capacity memory for complex programs. The flash memory features 1.8V low-voltage operation.

LCD driver

The LCD driver newly incorporates a constant-voltage generation circuit, which eliminates the need for an external power supply and enables parts costs to be reduced. A specified pixel flashing function, previously only provided in dot matrix LCDs, is also included, enabling flashing control by program to be reduced, with a resultant decrease in power consumption. This enables these new microcontrollers to be used for applications such as battery-operated devices requiring low power consumption and low-voltage operation.

A power supply control circuit is included that enables wasteful current to be reduced, resulting in lower power consumption than with previous products. This power supply control circuit operates in concert with a newly provided ultra-low power consumption mode (power-off mode), enabling users to achieve ultra-low power consumption easily without any special settings. Users can achieve current consumptions as low as 20nA in power off mode 0, and 1.3uA in power off mode 1 (with RTC active).

Data Flash

Data flash is proprietary Renesas on-chip flash memory for storing data, such as information stored in external EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable read only memory). The data flash used in this new series includes a background operation function that enables the CPU to execute instructions during data flash writing/erasing. Processing efficiency can therefore be improved and users can write programs without having to be aware of data flash write/erase times. In addition, data flash capacity has been doubled to a total of 4kbytes (four blocks of 1kbyte) compared with previous products, enabling more data to be stored. These improvements in ease of use will help shorten product development times.

The eight initial-phase groups incorporate the R8C CPU core that was field-proven in the R8C Series, and they offer high performance and functionality together with ease of use. The R8C is a 16-bit CPU, but the CPU and peripheral functions are linked by an 8-bit bus.

Minimum operating voltage has been reduced to 1.8V, and the power supply voltage range covers a wide span from 1.8-5.5V.

In addition, the following comprehensive on-chip peripheral functions are provided.

• Data transfer controller: The highly evaluated data transfer controller incorporated in the H8S Family and H8SX Family is included as a 'first' for microcontrollers with an on-chip LCD driver. This controller enables data transfer to be performed between memory and a register without CPU intervention, making it possible to shorten transfer processing time and also enabling the CPU load to be reduced.
• Other on-chip peripheral functions: All R8C/Lx Series models include an on-chip I2C interface and synchronous serial communication unit (SSU), allowing communication with a variety of ICs. The provision of a comparator function enables analogue signal monitoring without operating an A/D converter
• allowing power consumption to be further reduced. In addition, an on-chip D/A converter provides analogue output that is smoother than PWM (pulse width modulation) output, making the R8C/Lx series suitable for a wide variety of analogue control applications.

The E8a Emulator on-chip debugger allowing single-pin interfacing is available as a development environment. The single-pin connection capability enables all I/O pins to be used during debugging, so more efficient program development is possible. All R8C/Lx series devices also feature an additional debugging function that allows RAM references and changes to be made during user program execution, hence debugging efficiency can be further improved. An additional feature of the E8a Emulator is that it can be used as a flash memory writer as well as an emulator. The full-specification E100 Emulator is also available, enabling users to select the emulator best suited to their requirements.

Shipping forms include programmed flash memory product shipment as well as blank flash memory product shipment.