Renesas Electronics presents its new RL78/L12 Group of ultimate-low-power microcontrollers (MCUs) with on-chip liquid crystal display (LCD) controller, support for up to 280 LCD segments, a current consumption of 0.6µA and full calendar function. Thus, the MCUs are ideal for battery-driven devices. The microcontrollers and the promotionboard are available at distributor Rutronik as of now.
The product line consists of 18 product versions with pin count ranging from 32- to 64-pins and on-chip flash memory capacities ranging from 8kB up to 32kB. The new devices consume as little as 66µA/MHz and can achieve 0.57µA while operating the real-time clock with full calendar function, low voltage detection circuit and maintaining 100% of RAM contents. In addition, the RL78/L12 MCUs feature a mode that halts the internal LCD-related operations of the MCU when the multi-segment LCD display is not in use, further reducing current consumption and boosting power efficiency.
The product line supports up to 280 LCD segments in its 35×8 configuration and can operate from 1.6V to 5.5V power supply. The LCD controller provides three methods of generating LCD drive voltage: internal voltage boost, capacitor split and external resistance division. This all redounds to reduce the complete power consumption by about 30% in comparison to former Renesas? products. The 16-bit MCUs are designed for products equipped with small LCD panels, including portable household appliances, healthcare devices, building management systems and industrial applications that require improved user interfaces and ultimate low power.