MCUs bring energy efficiency to automated systems, household appliances

Renesas Electronics America Inc. announces the expansion of its RL78 microcontroller (MCU) family with the introduction of the RL78/G14 Group. These new 16-bit MCUs combine the advanced on-chip peripheral functions of the R8C MCU family with the power-efficient technology of the RL78 family to deliver superior processing abilities. The RL78/G14 Group of MCUs is suitable for household appliances, healthcare devices, office equipment, industrial automation systems, motor control, security systems, and mobile devices.

Key features of the RL78/G14 Group of MCUs:

• Advanced timer modules
: The new MCUs include advanced timer modules — Timer RD, Timer RG, and Timer RJ — that are compatible with timers in the R8C MCU family. Timer RD consists of two 16-bit timers capable of operating at 64 MHz and a PWM function able to output 6 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.

• Data transfer controller and event link controller: 
The RL78/G14 MCU devices integrate a data transfer controller (DTC) and event link controller (ELC), which reduce the CPU load and lower current consumption. The DTC enables memory-to-memory data transfers without using the CPU. Compared to the DMA function of the RL78/G13 device, 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. It is also possible to use the ELC to start peripheral functions when the CPU is stopped, thereby reducing current consumption.

• 8-bit DAC and comparator
: The new MCU products with 96 KB or more of flash memory feature two channels of 8-bit D/A converter (DAC), analog comparators with window function previously available on the R8C Family of MCUs. The DAC can be used to implement audio playback, or to generate high-resolution voltage signals, with minimal external components.

• Additional CPU instructions and enhanced on-chip debugging functions: 
The new MCUs add, multiply, divide, and multiply and accumulate instructions to the instruction set of the RL78/G13 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.

• Extensive product lineup: 
MCUs are available in flash ROM capacities ranging from 16 to 256 KB, RAM capacities from 2.5 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.

For more information, contact Renesas Electronics America Inc., 2880 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95050. Phone: (408) 588-6000.