Flash micro targets 8-bit applications with 16 bit performance and peripheral set

DSP, Micros & Memory

8 November 2000 DSP, Micros & Memory

Hitachi claims its new low power flash microcontroller offers 16 bit performance at a pricing level comparable to that of 8 bit devices. It says the H8/3664F is based on the H8/300H CPU core and features a range of peripherals more powerful than those found on a typical 8 bit microcontroller. These include on-chip communications capability, powerful integrated 16 bit timer and on-chip watchdog timer with built-in oscillator.

The H8/3664F is suitable for applications currently using an 8 bit microcontroller and looking to upgrade to the higher CPU performance of a 16 bit device, without a significant cost penalty. These include Internet enabled products, consumer applications, such as set-top boxes, radios and stereos, and industrial applications, such as intelligent sensors and meters. The device is also suitable for low-end motor control applications, as found in white goods for example.

The device has 32 KB of on-chip single supply flash memory which allows easy reprogramming of the memory without any additional circuitry. This provides for easy end of line production programming, reducing customer inventory and software updates or bug fixes in the field. The on-chip multi-master I²C interface enables the H8/3664F to communicate with a wide range of peripherals such as serial EEPROMs and telecom ICs, as well as other microcontrollers.

The powerful integrated 16 bit timer module is capable of operating in a number of modes, making this device suitable for use in many timer intensive applications. The on-chip watchdog timer has its own built-in oscillator which enables the watchdog to operate independently from the other system clocks. This makes the device extremely resistant to external noise, simplifying the design of safety critical systems.

The H8/3664F has a low operating voltage of 3,0 to 5,5 V, together with good EMC performance. It features a range of extremely low power operating modes and has a dual oscillator system that allows easy implementation of an on-chip realtime clock. The device is a member of the H8/3664 series of microcontrollers which also includes a variety of mask ROM versions, with ROM sizes from 8 to 32 KB and RAM sizes from 512 bytes to 2 KB. Other peripherals include two 8 bit timers, one USART, eight channels of 10 bit A/D converter and 37 I/O pins.

The H8/3664F is supported by the E10T, a low-cost, in-circuit debugging system. The E10T uses the on-chip debug facility of the microcontroller to provide the user with the ability to fully debug their application in the target system. A full suite of other tools including compilers and assemblers are also available.

The device comes in 10 mm² or 12 mm² surface mount QFP packages or in a low cost 42 pin Shrink DIP package.

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Flash micro targets 8-bit applications with 16 bit performance and peripheral set

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