Budget MCU integrates D/A functions with Flash

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team May 28, 2002

Flint's latest 8bit microcontroller combines EEPROM and Flash storage with multiple PWM channels.

Flint's latest 8bit microcontroller combines EEPROM and Flash storage with multiple PWM channels, integrating low-cost D/A capability with high-endurance nonvolatile in-system-programmable data storage for passwords, device ID or configuration data.

Applications include entertainment pay per view charging systems, password managers for security systems, industrial process controllers or fan speed controllers for thermal management systems.

The Winbond W78E858 is based on the well known 8051 core and supports the 8052 instruction set.

Its four PWM outputs are programmable for frequency and duty cycle, enabling low cost digital to analogue conversion.

On-chip memory includes 32Kbyte Flash memory with a further 4Kbyte Flash boot-code memory, 64Kbyte program memory and 64Kbyte data memory, as well as 128byte EEPROM and 256 + 512byte RAM.

The EEPROM cells' 100,000 write/erase endurance allows the chip to be repeatedly reprogrammed over a long lifetime.

Byte write and page write modes are also included, with self-timed write enabling designers to easily update the EEPROM.

Further integrated features include three 16bit timer/counters, full duplex serial port, four 8bit and one 4bit bidirectional ports, 17bit watchdog timer and a built in crystal oscillator.

Power saving design includes 6mA idle and 505A power-down modes; with wake up via external interrupt channels INT0 to INT9.