Microcontrollers with low power consumption

Paul Boughton
NEC Electronics Europe has begun sample shipments of 22 new flash-memory-embedded microcontrollers - twelve 8-bit models and ten 16-bit models - with the lowest level of power consumption in the industry.

Of the new products, the ones that boast the lowest level of standby power consumption in the industry are: six models in the 8-bit 78KO/KY2-L line with 16 pins; six models in the 8-bit 78KO/KA2-L line with 20 pins; six models in the 16-bit 78KOR-KF3-L line with 80 pins; and six models in the 16-bit 78KOR/KG3-L with 100 pins.

Using these microcontrollers can reduce the number of parts necessary for building systems because they do not require the use of peripherals, contributed by the enhanced analog features like A/D converters.

In addition, the new 8-bit microcontrollers are the company’s first models in which the number of communication external-connection pins (excluding it for the power supply connection), necessary for debugging, have been reduced.

And in the 16-bit products, the power necessary for rewriting programs on flash memory has been expanded from the conventional 2.7V to 1.8V. Therefore, these products enable the upgrading of software after mobile devices are shipped out.

These new microprocessors also enable the company’s client set manufacturers to easily develop energy efficient home electronic products and battery-operated systems that require the reduction of standby power.

Due to growing concern for environmental protection, the improved energy efficiency of systems in the microcontroller-applied business has become an even larger appeal to ordinary consumers. In addition, consumers want longer battery life for battery-operated products like fire alarms, electronic tooth brushes, shavers and other small systems. For these reasons, users want electronic parts makers to offer more energy efficient electronic parts that ultimately make up systems.

For more information, visit www.eu.necel.com