Low-Pin Count 8-bit MCUs are suited for consumer appliances.

Press Release Summary:



Included in F2MC-8FX family of 8-bit MCUs featuring 8, 16, and 20 pins, series MB95260H/MB95270H/MB95280H contain embedded dual-operation flash memory and support E2PROM emulation. Flash provides memory for program data as well as memory area for data storage, eliminating need for external E2PROM. It can be re-written 100,000 times and holds data for 20 years. Products may also be used as sub-MCUs and offer single-line, on-chip debug that only uses one pin on MCU.



Original Press Release:



Fujitsu Expands Lineup of Low Pin Count 8-bit Microcontrollers for Consumer Appliances



Dual-operation flash memory reduces total system cost

Langen, Germany, April 14th 2009 - Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) has expanded its line-up of low pin count (LPC) microcontrollers with three new series in its F2MC-8FX family of high-performance 8-bit microcontrollers featuring 8, 16, and 20 pins. The MB95260H, MB95270H and MB95280H series contain embedded dual-operation flash memory and support E2PROM emulation, which allows a reduction in system cost, as E2PROM does not need to be connected to the microcontroller.

In recent years, there has been rapidly growing demand for low pin count 8-bit microcontrollers for use in home appliances such as white goods, water heaters, electric pots, de-humidifiers, and hair dryers. In response to these needs, Fujitsu Microelectronics has been providing a line-up of 8-pin, 16-pin, and 20-pin low pin count 8-bit flash microcontrollers in its F2MC-8FX family. The new MB95260H, MB95270H and MB95280H series are pin-compatible with previous MB95200 series products, with the addition of embedded dual-operation flash memory. This dual-operation flash provides memory for program data, as well as a memory area for data storage that eliminates the need for external E2PROM, and thus reduces total system cost.

In addition to their use as main microcontrollers, the three new series can be used as sub-microcontrollers. The new series also employ a single-line on-chip debug that uses only one pin on the microcontroller.

Key Features
1. Dual-operation flash memory
The new series include Fujitsu's proprietary embedded dual-operation flash memory, which emulates E2PROM. The memory contains two regions, one for program storage, and another that can be used for data storage and acts as a substitute for E2PROM. This allows a reduction in system area and system cost, as an external E2PROM is not required.

2. High-performance flash memory
The microcontrollers incorporate Fujitsu's high reliability, high-performance embedded flash memory that can be re-written 100,000 times and guaranteed to hold data for 20 years. A flash security function protects customers' software from being read by unauthorised external programmes.

3. Reduced system cost due to integration of external components
Because the internal CR oscillating circuit and the low-voltage detection circuit are built into the microcontrollers, the need for an external oscillator and reset IC is eliminated, thus contributing to a reduction in overall system costs.

4. 'Composite timer' provides flexibility for system requirements
For the timer function in the embedded 'composite timer', depending on the program, a channel can be selected from any one of the following: pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse width counter (PWC), interval timer or input capture which measures interval times. This provides the flexibility to handle customers' varying system requirements.

Availability
Samples of the new series will start shipping from April 14th 2009. A starter kit, MB2146-420A-01-E, which includes the product development environment Softune Workbench, is also available.

About Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) is a major supplier of semiconductor products. The company provides advanced systems solutions to the automotive, digital TV, mobile telephony, networking and industrial markets. Engineers from design centres dedicated to microcontrollers, graphics controllers, mixed-signal, wireless, multimedia ICs, ASIC products and software development, work closely with FME's marketing and sales teams throughout EMEA to help satisfy customers' systems development requirements. This solutions approach is supported by a broad range of advanced semiconductor devices, IP, building blocks and software.

For more information, please see: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics

Issued on behalf of:

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe
Pittlerstrasse 47
63225 Langen
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)6103 69 00
Fax: +49 (0)6103 69 01 22
E-mail: jim.bryant@fme.fujitsu.com

Contacts: Jim Bryant
More information from:

JDK Marketing Communications
The Oasts, Charmans Farm
Beggars Lane
Westerham
Kent TN16 1QP

Tel: 0870 787 9510
Fax: 0870 787 9509
E-mail: joanne@jdk.co.uk

Joanne Bennett

All Topics