New Devices added to NEC's 32-Bit All Flash Microcontroller Lineup

Demand for human-machine interface (HMI) capabilities, particularly in industrial applications, has driven the need for increased memory in 32-bit MCUs. To support these large memory requirements, the V850ES/Jx3 devices integrate up to one megabyte (MB) of single-voltage flash memory, while the new V850ES/Hx3 MCUs offer capacities ranging from 128 to 512 kilobytes (KB). Flash memory in both lineups is based on SuperFlash technology from Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

The V850ES/Jx3 MCUs with high-performance cores and up to 1 MB of flash memory support 3-volt (V) high-speed control applications and are available in 144- and 100-pin low-profile quad flatpack (LQFP) packages. The variety of general-purpose on-chip functions includes 16-bit timers, serial interfaces, 16-channel 10-bit A/D converter, two-channel D/A converter, four-channel direct memory access (DMA) controller, real-time output port, external bus, watch timer, watchdog timer and on-chip debugger.

Ideal for 5V applications requiring a high number of A/D channels, the V850ES/Hx3 microcontrollers are designed to extend the performance, memory and peripheral mix of the existing V850ES/Hx lineup. Two new internal oscillators that operate at 240 kilohertz (kHz) and 8 MHz have been added. Two more 16-bit timers also have been added, including one capable of controlling a 3-phase motor, bringing the total number of timers into double figures on larger devices. Other enhancements include an I2C interface and a spread-spectrum clock generator (SSCG) that measures and manages radiant noise and decreases electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions without external components.

Available in 64-, 80-, 100- and 144-pin LQFPs, the V850ES/Hx3 microcontrollers offer all of the benefits of the existing V850ES line, including up to 24 channels of 10-bit A/D conversion, multiple serial interfaces, watch timer, watchdog timer, and on-chip debugger. In terms of memory, RAM sizes have been increased from previous generations and now range from 8 to 32 kilobytes (KB). Flash memory capacities now range from 128 to 512 KB.

To turn next-generation innovation into production as fast as possible, the new microcontrollers are supported by NEC Electronics' low-cost, full-featured development tools. NEC Electronics' IECUBE in-circuit emulator and MINICUBE2 on-chip debugger can be used with all of NEC Electronics' 8-, 16- and 32-bit MCUs. In addition, NEC Electronics' MINICUBE on-chip debugger can be used with the company's 32-bit V850 MCUs. The IECUBE in-circuit emulator and MINICUBE and MINICUBE2 on-chip debuggers are supported by IAR Systems' and NEC Electronics' software tools, with limited versions of these available for downloading from their respective websites.