As market migration from 8- to 16-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) continues to gather pace, the Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc., launched the M16C/26 (M3026x), an ultra-low power MCU for powerful, yet power-sensitive applications. The M16C/26 offers 16-bit peripherals and performance up to 20 MHz at 8-bit price ranges for consumer, industrial, and automotive control applications. In line with the current easy-to-use, powerful M16C family of 16-bit platform MCUs, the new flash-based MCU has high C-code efficiency, excellent EMI/EMS performance, and complete code and pin compatibility with other M16C™ Platform MCUs. The M16C/26 is the first of a new series of MCUs targeting power management, instrumentation, point-of-sale, remote security, three-phase motor control, and meter applications where high processing performance, powerful peripherals, and low power consumption are key factors.
"There is a definite shift occurring right now in the MCU market to more powerful and flexible processors," said Richard Sessions, director of embedded systems for Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc. "Our platform design allows easy and cost-effective transition to 16-bit performance at 8-bit prices. The M16C/26 offers highly reliable flash ROM and virtual data EEPROM for applications that demand performance."
By integrating a sophisticated voltage down converter, the M16C/26 is capable of operating at full rated 20 MHz speed with ultra-low power consumption across a wide voltage range of 3.0 to 5.5 volts (10 MHz at under 3.0 volts). This is particularly key for applications that require high processing capability at low voltages such as gas, water, and electric meters and remote security systems.
In addition to the migration to more powerful 16-bit processors, the MCU market is seeing a shift from mask to flash-based MCUs as flash versions reach value parity and allow much more design flexibility, which significantly improves product time-to-market.
Mitsubishi Electric's M16C flash MCUs are widely used in many "mission critical" applications including automotive safety, industrial control, communications, and computing systems. They use a robust proprietary Hyper New DINOR flash technology that is not affected by process variations. This is achieved by creating memory cells with enough margin in operations and characteristics to eliminate bit failures and by setting in-process screening steps to remove defect-induced data retention failures. In addition, all M16C flash MCUs are capable of 100,000 erase/write cycles (typical).
"With tens of millions of flash devices in service, we have had no flash ROM bit failures from the field. You can use M16C flash MCUs in complete confidence, without fear of failure or more expensive manufacturing due to flash reliability issues," added Sessions.
M16C/26 Notable Features:
- Operating frequency: 20 MHz at 3.0 to 5.5 volts; 10 MHz at under 3.0 volts
- Flash memory: 16-, 32-, 48- or 64-Kbytes
- RAM: 1-, 2-, 4- or 10-Kbytes
- Virtual EEPROM: 4-Kbytes
- 16-bit timers: 8
- Watchdog timer: 1
- A/D converter: 10-bit x 8-channel, including one I²C channel
- UART: 8-bit x 3-channel
- Programmable I/O ports: 38
- Power supply: 2.7-5.5 volts
- System clock generator (also includes ring oscillator)
- DMA controller: 2-channel
- Three-phase motor control circuit
- Brown-out detection circuit
