MCU Families Help Bridge 8-Bit-To-32-Bit Apps Gap

Two new families have been added to the M16C 16-bit microcontroller line to help bridge the gap between the applications potential of 8- and 32-bit MCUs. Employing an enhanced architecture, M16C/80 MCUs can impart 15 MIPS of processing power at a 20-MHz operating frequency to image processing, consumer and other products. The new MCU family offers an enhanced instruction set that improves operating efficiency and includes a number of 32-bit operations, such as addition, subtraction, and indirect addressing. Other features include an X/Y data converter that allows bit map instructions to be processsed quickly, a 24-bit addressing mode, A/D and D/A converters, and an I²C bus. The M16C/80 µCs dissipate 220 mW at 5V and 20 MHz and come in 100- and 144-pin QFPs. Representing a low-power, low-pin-count version of the firm's M16C/60 MCUs, M16C/20 µCs consume a mere 95 mW while operating at 10 MHz and processing 5 MIPS, qualifying the devices for use in power-sensitive products. They come in mask and flash ROM versions and offer 91 basic instructions, 43 I/O ports, and more.