16bit MCU features 128KB embedded flash

Renesas Electronics Corp. has unveiled the 78K0R/LG3-M, a 16bit MCU that can be used for designing low cost and highly integrated single-phase static electricity meters, the company stated. It features a 20MHz core with128KB flash memory and 7KB of RAM.

The MCU incorporates all the major functions required in a static electricity meter, including a dedicated electrical power calculation circuit, A/D converter, LCD driver circuit and a real-time clock (RTC) with an independent power supply, said the company. The 78K0R/LG3-M MCU can be used with other Renesas power-line and wireless communications solutions to create highly optimized smart meters, Renesas added.

The product supports increased application requirements of single phase electricity meters. The 78K0R/LG3-M has a metrology engine that includes calibration and power calculation functions to free up the main CPU core to manage other application-related tasks. Furthermore, it achieves a 0.1 percent active power-measurement error as its power calculation precision, and conforms to all power meter standards in Japan, Europe and China.

The MCU operates from 1.8-3.6V and enables cost optimization by integrating an RTC with independent power supply and anti-tamper detection circuit to prevent falsification of power calculations. The device also touts a power quality measurement circuit that includes both power outage and current/voltage peak detection functions, 160-segment LCD driver for user interface, and zero-cross and surge-level detection circuits. In addition, other peripherals such as multiple timers, multiple serial interfaces and robust I/O are included, the company stated.

Samples of Renesas' 78K0R/LG3-M MCU are available at $6.5 per unit. Mass production will begin March next year and is expected to reach a combined volume of 50,000 units per month.