Freescale 8bit MCU integrates LCD driver

Freescale Semiconductor has introduced a family of highly integrated, power-efficient 8bit MCU devices optimized for LCDs. The MC9S08LC60 (LC60) family features the company's first S08-based flash MCUs to include an integrated LCD driver module with an internal charge pump.

Design flexibility
The LC60 family addresses the display, power, memory and communications requirements of portable LCD applications, handheld consumer and industrial devices. Supporting displays with up to 160 (4 x 40) segments, these MCUs give developers the flexibility to design LCD applications for portable health care devices, thermostats, exercise equipment, personal diagnostics, calculators, metering equipment, alarm clocks, toys, cameras and many other consumer products.

"Developers of handheld and metering devices continually look for ways to drive LCDs while minimizing power demands," said Mike McCourt, VP and general manager of Freescale's MCU division. "The newest addition to the 8bit S08 family, Freescale's LC60 MCUs provide an SoC solution that enables high segment count LCD applications while offering low-power operation."

The LC60 family combines a high-performance, low-voltage S08 MCU core (operating at 1.8V-3.6V) with an LCD driver module, a rich set of communications peripherals, dual flash memory arrays and an integrated programmable timer. This high level of integration helps reduce total system cost and board space by providing a configurable, flexible single-chip solution that minimizes the need for external display driver, memory and timing components and eliminates the need for off-chip EEPROM.

Debug mode
The low-power LC60 LCD device is capable of driving a display using the high performance, low-voltage operation, C compatibility, single-wire background debug mode and on-chip in-circuit emulator (ICE) of the S08 architecture.

The LC60 family include the MCS08LC60 and the MCS08LC36. Volume quantities of both devices in an 80-pin LQFP are available today, and volume quantities for 64-pin LQFP devices are planned for Q2. SRP for the MCS08LC60 in 10,000-piece quantities starts at $3.70, and SRP for the MCS08LC36 starts at $3.14. Demonstration kits for the LC60 family are priced at an SRP of $75.