16-bit MCUs integrate power line communications

16-bit MCUs integrate power line communications

The M16C/6S1 group of 16-bit microcontrollers (R5F36S1Exxx, R5F36S16xxx) feature power line communication (PLC) functions in the low-frequency band (10 to 450 kHz). The ICs have a IT900 spread-spectrum modulation modem core from Yitran Communications with maximum data speed in the frequency bands stipulated by the FCC and the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses in Japan of 500 kbits/s, and for the CENELEC-A in Europe of 150 kbits/s.

The chips operate at up to 30.7 MHz and implement DCSK (differential code shift keying) and DCSK turbo spectrum modulation, which enable robust communication over existing electrical wiring. They have up to 256 Kbytes of flash, 8 Kbytes of data flash, and 31 Kbytes of RAM. The chips have an analog front-end with a driver amplifier, a bandpass filter, and a 10-bit A/D converter. (From $15 ea/sample — available Oct.)

By Jim Harrison

Renesas Electronics America , Santa Clara , CA
Sales 800-366-9782
am.renesas.com