Renesas Electronics Announces New RL78 Microcontrollers with Enhanced Real-Time Control Capabilities

TOKYO, Japan, June 23, 2011 — Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), a premier provider of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced the expansion of the RL78 microcontroller (MCU) family with the introduction of the RL78/G14 Group. The new 16-bit MCUs combine advanced on-chip peripheral functions of Renesas' R8C MCU family with the industry-leading power-efficient technology of the RL78 Family to deliver excellent processing performance. The new RL78/G14 Group of MCUs is ideal for a number of applications including household appliances, healthcare devices, office equipment and industrial automation systems, and medical and consumer products such as motor control, security systems and mobile devices.

Renesas Electronics has equipped the RL78 Family of integrated MCUs with the superior DNA of the 78K Family and R8C Family that contribute to lower overall system power consumption and reduced development cost The new RL78/G14 Group MCUs deliver a further boost in performance and power efficiency while incorporating advanced on-chip peripheral functions from the R8C Family, thereby meeting the needs of customers wishing to utilize existing software resources originally developed for the R8C Family.

Key features of the RL78/G14 Group of MCUs:

(1) Advanced timer modules

The new MCUs incorporate advanced time modules—‘Timer RD’, ‘Timer RG’, and ‘Timer RJ’—which are compatible to timers in the R8C MCU family. Timer RD comprises two 16-bit timers capable of operating at 64 megahertz (MHz) and a pulse wave modulation (PWM) function able to output (six) three-phase waveforms with the amplitude specified by the user. Timer RG is a 16-bit timer module than can automatically measure the counts of a two-phase encoder in phase counting mode. Timer RJ is a 16-bit timer module than can measure the pulse width or cycle of pulse output or external pulse input.

(2) Data transfer controller and event link controller

The RL78/G14 MCU devices integrate a data transfer controller (DTC) and event link controller (ELC), which have a proven track record on the R8C Family of reducing the CPU load and lowering current consumption. The DTC enables memory to memory data transfers without using the CPU. Compared with the DMA function of the RL78/G13, the DTC supports a larger number of transfer channels and activation sources, and it also enables data transfers from the flash memory. The event link controller (ELC) allows direct connection between peripherals bypassing the CPU, and interrupt controller to provide faster and more deterministic real-time control. It is also possible to use the ELC to start peripheral functions when the CPU is stopped, thereby reducing current consumption.

(3) 8-bit DAC and comparator

The new MCU products with 96 kilobyte (KB) or more flash memory feature two channels of 8-bit D/A converter (DAC), analog comparators with window function previously available on the R8C Family MCUs. The DAC can be utilized to implement audio playback, or to generate high-resolution voltage signals, with minimal external components reducing system cost.

(4) Additional CPU instructions and enhanced on-chip debugging functions

The new MCUs add multiply, divide, and multiply and accumulate instructions to the instruction set of the RL78/G13's CPU core, eliminating the need to handle overflow interrupts when performing arithmetic operations. In addition, the on-chip debugging functions of the new microcontrollers with 96 KB or more of flash memory now support trace data for up to 256 branches, enabling more efficient system development and evaluation.

(5) Extensive product lineup

The new MCUs are available in flash ROM capacities ranging from 16 KB to 256 KB, RAM capacities from 2.5 KB to 24 KB, and a total of 17 package configurations, including Quad Flat Package (QFP), compact Quad Flat Non-Leaded (QFN) package, and Land Grid Array (LGA) package, with pin counts from 30 to 100 pins. This extensive product lineup enables customers to select the memory capacity and package type that best matches their system requirements and contributes to optimized board size, more compact systems, and reduced cost. Renesas also plans to enhance the new RL78/G14 Group with devices with up to 512 KB of flash ROM, 128 pins and 105℃ operation for systems including cooking appliances.

Development tools for the RL78/G14 Group include the IAR Embedded Workbench, Renesas' E1 integrated on-chip debugging emulator, and IECUBE full-function in-circuit emulator. There are also plans to release a Flash Programmer and Renesas Starter Kit (RSK) supporting these new MCUs.

Please refer to the separate sheet for the main specifications of the RL78/G14 Group of MCUs.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of Renesas' new RL78/G14 MCUs are available now. The sample price for the new products differs depending on the memory capacity, package type, and pin count. For example, samples of the R5F104ACASP with 32 KB of on-chip flash memory, 4 KB of on-chip RAM, and a 30-pin Shrink Small Outline Package (SSOP, 7.62 mm) are priced at US$0.88 per 10,000 units. Mass production is scheduled to start in December 2011, and is expected to reach 10,000,000 units per month in December 2012 for the entire group of devices.
(Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.)

About Renesas Electronics Corporation

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) delivers trusted embedded design innovation with complete semiconductor solutions that enable billions of connected, intelligent devices to enhance the way people work and live. A global leader in microcontrollers, analog, power and SoC products, Renesas provides comprehensive solutions for a broad range of automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT applications that help shape a limitless future. Learn more at renesas.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Remarks) The new RL78/G14 uses SuperFlash® technology licensed from Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. SuperFlash® is a registered trademark of Silicon Storage Technology, Inc., of the U.S.A. in the United States, Japan, and other countries. Names of products or services mentioned in this release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

The content in the press release, including, but not limited to, product prices and specifications, is based on the information as of the date indicated on the document, but may be subject to change without prior notice.