Eight-Bit MCUs Tout Low Pin Count

Adding to the company's K1 line of microcontrollers are the 78K0S/Kx1+ and 78K0/Kx1+ families. The 78K0S/Kx1+ group offers smaller memory sizes with fewer peripherals and as few as eight pins for cost-sensitive applications. The 78K0/Kx1+ family provides more memory and more peripherals for complex designs. Both employ the same core architecture and instruction set and, similar to all K1 members, are designed to facilitate migration from 8- to 32-bit designs. Common features include SST SuperFlash technology that accommodates remote programming, and peripherals such as fail-safe circuitry, on-chip clocks in addition to the main clock, watchdog timer, device and system power-on reset circuits, and a low-voltage indicator. The 78K0/Kx1+ MCUs achieve operating speeds up to 16 MHz, resulting in a 60% increase in processing speed over the 10-MHz 78K0/Kx1. Prices for the two families will vary depending on their pin counts as well as their memory size and are said to be similar to prices for mask ROM devices.For further information and availability, call NEC ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC., Santa Clara, CA. (408)-588-6311.