DSP, Micros & Memory


MCUs with on-board flash have extended data retention

15 August 2001 DSP, Micros & Memory

Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector's new flash microcontrollers are claimed to offer enhanced performance with extended reliability and data retention of the embedded memory to typically 100 000 write/erase cycles and 50-year data retention, running at 55°C. The new 68HC908GR8 and the 68HC908GR4 are derivatives of the existing 68HC908GP32.

Motorola's 68HC08 flash microcontrollers are single-chip 8 bit solutions that are designed to provide the flexibility required for cost-effective field software upgrades through in-application programmability and reprogrammability.

"Some customers view flash MCUs as a higher cost alternative to OTPs, only using them to aid the development process - they have been led to expect to have to pay more for the myriad of benefits a flash MCU can give them," said Paul Grimme, Vice President of Motorola's 8/16 bit Microcontroller Division. "Motorola continues to break the mould by offering flash MCUs at a price affordable for our customers' production runs. The new 68HC08 devices are designed to extend system reliability and allow our customers to further reduce their system costs."

"Motorola's embedded flash memory can encode 64 bytes in just 2 ms and an entire array in as little as one second. In addition, it features virtual EEPROM capability, programming at 3 to 5 V, and is suitable for development work as well as mass production. The improved write/erase cycling allows many customers, particularly hardware and software designers for industrial equipment, to use the flash for data storage as well as program storage.

The 68HC908GR4 has 4 KB and the 68HC908GR8 has 8 KB of flash memory. System costs can be reduced because the advanced phased locked loop feature allows a lower cost and speed (32 kHz) crystal while still providing high-speed operation. Other features include an on-chip timebase module (eliminating RTC) and a rich instruction set for optimum code density with C programming. They are offered in 28 PDIP (plastic dual in-line package), 32 QFP (quad flat pack) and 28 SOIC (small outline IC) packages.



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