Fujitsu expands 8-bit MCUs line-up

BANGALORE, INDIA: Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd (FMAL) has added three new series to its line-up 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 E2PROM emulation. This enables a reduction in system cost, as an external E2PROM 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.

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 E2PROM, 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.

Further, 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.