2009-04-14
Fujitsu Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

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

EEPROM emulation reduces total system cost

Shanghai, April 14, 2009 — Fujitsu Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co.,LTd. today announced three new series to expand its lineup of low pin count (LPC) microcontrollers, with 8, 16, and 20 pins, in its F2MC-8FX family of high-performance 8-bit microcontrollers. The new MB95260H series, MB95270H series, and MB95280H series feature embedded dual-operation flash memory and support EEPROM emulation⁽¹⁾. This enables a reduction in system cost, as an external EEPROM is not required. The launch of the three new series is in response to the rapid rise in demand in the Asian market for low pin count microcontrollers for use in home appliances and other consumer electronics. Samples of the new series will start shipping from April 14, 2009.

In recent years, there has been rapidly growing demand in Asia for low pin count 8-bit microcontrollers for use in small home appliances. In response to these needs, Fujitsu Microelectronics has been providing a lineup of low pin count 8-bit flash microcontrollers in it’s F2MC-8FX family. In order to accommodate a vaster range of needs, Fujitsu Microelectronics has launched the new MB95260H series, MB95270H series, and MB95280H series with the first-ever addition of embedded dual-operation flash memory in Fujitsu Microelectronics’ 8-bit microcontrollers. Dual-operation flash memory provides memory for program data, as well as a memory area for data storage that substitutes the need for external EEPROM, and thus reduces total system cost. Furthermore, the embedded flash memory features an industry-leading guarantee of up to 100,000 re-writes.

Aside from their use as main microcontrollers, the three new series can also be used as sub-microcontrollers - for example when as a result of system specification changes in high-performance audio-visual equipment, the functions of the I/O or A/D converter of the main microcontroller or ASIC are no longer adequate. The new series also employ a 1-line on-chip debug that uses only one pin on the microcontroller, thereby minimizing the number of pins used for debugging in product development.

Furthermore, along with these series, Fujitsu Microelectronics is providing the starter kit, MB2146-420A-01-E, which includes a product development environment in a single package.

*Based of currency exchange ratio of 100 JPY : 0.99 USD

Key Features

1. Dual-operation flash memory
   Include Fujitsu Microelectronics’ proprietary embedded dual-operation flash memory which emulates EEPROM. The memory contains two regions, one region for program storage, and another region that can be used for data storage and acts as a substitute for EEPROM. That allows a reduction in system area and system cost, as an external EEPROM is not required.
2. High-performance flash memory
   The microcontrollers are embedded with Fujitsu’s high-reliability, high-performance flash memory that can be rewritten 100,000 times and guaranteed to hold data for 20 years. Also contains a flash security function⁽²⁾ that protects the customer’s software from being read by unauthorized external programs.
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)⁽³⁾, pulse width counter(PWC)⁽⁴⁾, interval timer or input capture which measures interval times, thereby enabling flexibility to handle customers’ varying system requirements.

Related Websites

Fujitsu Microelectronics / Low pin Count Microcontrollers - MB95200 Series:
http://www.fujitsu.com/global/services/microelectronics/product/micom/fmc/mb95200

BBS:
http://fujitsu-mcubbs.com/en/index.html

Attachment

PDF Specifications of MB95260H series, MB95270H series, and MB95280H series microcontrollers [54.7KB]

Glossary and Notes

1 EEPROM emulation:

The same functionality as EEPROM, but realized with in flash memory.

2 Flash security function:

Restricts access to embedded flash memory to prevent any inappropriate external reading or writing of programs.

3 Pulse width modulation (PWM):

Modulates the duty cycle of a signal. Used in motor speed control, etc.

4 Pulse width counter (PWC):

Measures pulse width or cycle time. Used in measuring number of motor revolutions, motor speed, remote control, etc.

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About Fujitsu Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd.

Fujitsu Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was established in August 2003 as Fujitsu’s semiconductor business representative in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, it has branch offices in Beijing, Shenzhen and Dalian to provide sales and service support to customers throughout China.
Fujitsu Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. offers an extensive range of products from microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), application-specific standard product (ASSP), system-on-chip (SoC) to system memory, that can be supplied as product or complete solution. With technology resource centres and ASIC design support centres strategically located in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Chengdu, as well as Heavy investments in design and engineering capabilities and application support resources, complemented by a regional network of design partners, suppliers and distributors, Fujitsu Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. can readily delivers innovative and value-added solutions and varied range of products to its target markets in China.
For more information, please see: http://cn.fujitsu.com/fmc/en

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