Renesas Technology Releases the R8C/Mx Series of Low-Pin-Count MCUs with On-Chip Flash Memory for Low Power Consumption Applications

The R8C/Mx Series is a new addition to the R8C Family of flash MCUs, which has an established track record based on low pin count and high performance. The new series combines extremely low power consumption and a low pin count. The first products to appear will be the R8C/M11A, with a 14-pin package, and the R8C/M12A, with a 20-pin package. They will comprise a total of six types with 18 products. The R8C Family is a key product family in Renesas Technology’s well-established line of MCUs for the consumer field, which have the top market share 2 worldwide. With a variety of package options, memory configurations, and advanced on-chip peripheral functions, the R8C Family of MCUs have been widely adopted for system control in a broad range of products. The new R8C/Mx Series specifically with compact electrical household appliances in mind. Improvements to the fabrication process designed to reduce current consumption during both standby and operation have cut power consumption by about half compared with earlier Renesas Technology MCUs. The R8C/Mx Series also combines low pin counts with on-chip control functions for sensors, etc. The R8C/Mx Series is built around the R8C CPU core and delivers high-performance, powerful functionality, and excellent flexibility. The R8C is a 16-bit CPU, but the CPU and peripheral functions are linked by an 8-bit bus. Its maximum operating frequency is 20 MHz, and its wide operating voltage range extends from 1.8 V to 5.5 V. The data flash can be reprogrammed, erased, and read using a voltage of only 1.8 V. On-chip peripheral functions include a high-speed on-chip oscillator, a power-on reset function,*3 and a low-voltage detection function*4 (two on-chip circuits supporting two and eight setting levels, respectively). This reduces the number of external devices required, such as EEPROM, oscillators, reset chips, and pull-up resistors, contributing to reduced system cost and smaller wiring board size…

R8C Mx