Low-power MCU delivers lower-pin package

Renesas Electronics Corp. has added a new general-purpose microcontroller (MCU) in the low-power RL78 family. The new low-power MCU delivers small package sizes, including an eight-pin package option that targets 8-bit MCU applications.

The new RL78/G15, with a RL78 16-bit CPU core operating at 16 MHz, features a variety of peripheral functions, 4-8 KB of code flash memory, 1 KB of data flash and 1 KB of SRAM in package sizes ranging from eight to 20 pins. The smallest eight-pin device measures 3 × 3 mm in a WDFN package. All pins can be used for general-purpose I/O, except the VDD and VSS power supply pins.

RL78/G15 low-power MCU family offers a range of pin-package options. (Source: Renesas Electronics)

“These features are designed to keep system size small and reduce the cost of end systems, such as industrial, consumer, sensor control, lighting, and inverter applications,” said Renesas.

The RL78/G15 supports operating voltages from 2.4 V to 5.5 V. The device covers a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to 125°C, which allows it to be used near heat-generating components such as inverter motors. Other features include a built-in comparator, a high-precision oscillator (±1%) and support for multiple serial interfaces, including CSI, UART, Simple I2C and multi-master I2C.

RL78/G15 block diagram (Source: Renesas Electronics)

Like the other RL78 devices, engineers can use the GUI-based Smart Configurator to generate driver code for peripheral functions. Renesas also offers the Fast Prototyping Board (FPB) for evaluation, which comes with Arduino Uno and Pmod Type 6A interfaces with access to all pins. Debugging and programming are possible using only a USB cable, said Renesas.

The RL78/G15 is available in volume production. As part of its Winning Combinations reference designs, Renesas has developed the 100-W USB Power Delivery (PD) Adaptor with Multi-Output solution for all-in-one mobile chargers. In addition to the RL78/G15 MCU, this power supply includes a high-performance PFC controller, an AC/DC controller, and a high-performance DC/DC buck device.