Fujitsu Microelectronics offers new series of low-pin-count 8-bit MCUs

SUNNYVALE, USA: Fujitsu Microelectronics America Inc. (FMA) extended its family of low-pin-count 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) by introducing a new series that features LCD control, brushless DC motor control, and I2C capabilities for consumer appliances, home healthcare devices and industrial equipment.

The new MB95300 series extends the F2MC-8FX family of high-performance 8-bit MCUs, incorporating flash memory that can be erased and rewritten 100,000 times (even while a program is running) with data retention guaranteed for 20 years.

The series also includes a flash security function to protect customer software from unauthorized access by external programs. The flash supports on-chip EEPROM emulation, eliminating the cost of an external chip.

The series employs one-line on-chip debug, which requires only a single MCU pin. The embedded oscillator circuit maximizes the number of pins available for use in consumer appliances, electric tools, and consumer electronics designs. Each MCU embeds a resistance-capacitance (RC) oscillator, low voltage detection circuit, and watchdog timer, reducing the need for external components and lowering the total system cost.

The MB95310L and MB95370L low-pin-count MCUs, which contain embedded LCD controllers, support 1.8V operation using batteries for home healthcare devices such as blood pressure meters and glucose meters. The MCUs also have a full complement of timers and communication functions along with high-precision A/C converters.

The MB95330H series supports brushless DC motor control functionality, which enables designers to develop a three-phase motor control that can be implemented in dishwashers, air conditioners, PC cooling fans, and other applications.

The MB95350L series is available with an I2C interface that supports up to two channels, making it suitable as a sub-controller in a television or air-conditioning remote controller.

Samples for all products will be available in May 2010 and production quantities in July 2010. Prices are $4.30 each in sample quantities for the MB95310L, $3.20 for the MB95330H, $2.70 for the MB95350L and $3.20 for the MB95370L.