Freescale Semiconductor is offering engineers easy entry to its expansive microcontroller portfolio with the release of an ultra-low-end 8-bit device small enough to fit in the head of an electric toothbrush.
The first product to be built on Freescale's recently-announced RS08 core, a simplified version of the company's high-performance, low-power HCS08 architecture, the MC9RS08KA family is designed for applications with extreme space and price constraints. It is ideal for traditional electro-mechanical designs and portable applications ranging from motor control to 'use-and-toss' health care products.
"Freescale is positioned to compete aggressively in the ultra-low-end 8-bit market," said Fred Zieber, founder and president of Pathfinder Research. "This product signals to the market Freescale's dedication to offering a breadth of MCU products suited for any and all customer needs."
By providing up to 2 KB flash and 63 B random access memory (RAM), Freescale claims its 6-pin KA family offers more functionality and application options than ultra-low-end, 6-pin devices available in the market today. Additionally, the KA family includes reprogrammable flash across voltage ranges and performs up to 10 MHz at 1,8 V. The product features a voltage regulator that minimises voltage variation to logic and keeps voltage supply (Vdd) lower, reducing overall power consumption.
The KA family is supported by the same Freescale development tools that designers and programmers use for other Freescale 8-bit products.
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