MCUs consume very low power

Holtek Semiconductor' two new TinyPower technology 8bit microcontroller (MCU) devices feature low power requirements. At a working voltage of 3V, the HT48R52 and HT48R53 MCUs have an operating current of less than 300?A. While in the Power Down Mode, even with the Real Time Clock continually running, the devices require only a minimal current of less than 0.8?A.

Both the HT48R52 and HT48R53 contain an 8bit Holtek MCU kernel, which has the ability to control the operating frequency through software. This enables the devices, under a software command, to switch between its fast operating mode of up to 8MHz to a slow operating mode of only 32,768Hz.

The MCUs each contain 36 input/output lines, which as inputs can directly interface to external switches or as outputs can directly drive LEDs. They additionally possess six power and ground lines, enabling the power loading to be shared and eliminating heat dissipation problems. The internal Real Time Clock circuitry features high accuracy, providing a means of accurate timing and reducing the costs of external timer hardware. In addition, the devices include an internal Programmable Frequency Divider function for use in supplying different audio frequencies. With their timer and interrupt functions, the designer is provided with even more effective software control functions, said Holtek.

The HT48R52 and HT48R53 have similar functions but differ in their Program Memory capacity. The HT48R53 has 4K of memory while the HT48R52 has 2K. Both are supplied in 52-pin QFP packages, and are pin compatible.