Flash MCUs speed applications development

The latest 23 additions to the V850 series of high-performance 32bit general-purpose microcontrollers are the first to feature exclusively embedded Flash memory.

NEC Electronics has unveiled 23 additions to its V850 series of high performance, 32bit general purpose microcontrollers (MCUs).

The devices are the first V850 series MCUs with only embedded Flash memory, designed to facilitate more efficient development of applications.

The new products include the V850ES/Hx2 series, which includes up to 24 channels of A/D conversion for analogue-intensive systems such as sensors, the V850ES/Jx2 series for low-voltage systems requiring complex, multifunctional and high speed operations, and V850ES/Ix2 series, for cost-sensitive three-phase motor control systems.

General purpose MCUs with embedded Flash memory have gained popularity in recent years over traditional MCUs manufactured using mask ROM methods that are limited to one-time programmability.

Although mask ROM methods are effective for high volume manufacturing, the trend in many industries is toward producing a wide array of products with high performance requirements in smaller quantities and faster time to market, resulting in demand for greater flexibility and reprogrammability.

Flash MCUs, which allow users to rewrite software multiple times, even after manufacturing or implementation in a device, make it possible to dramatically shorten development times for applications, reduce total system costs, and time required for manufacturing.

"NEC Electronics has introduced its 'all Flash' concept with the aim of transitioning the company's entire lineup of general purpose microcontrollers to MCUs with embedded Flash memory", stated Yoichi Yano, Vice President, 4th Systems Operations Unit, NEC Electronics.

"Our aim is to help customers bring a wider array of applications to market quickly and cost effectively with the flexibility and convenience of our 32bit and 8bit Flash MCU Flash lineup, together with our easy-to-use development tools and programming support services".

NEC Electronics currently offers the industry's most comprehensive lineup of 8bit general purpose MCUs with embedded Flash memory.

With the addition of 23 new 32bit products, the company now boasts the industry's largest offering of Flash microcontrollers, with 145 products in a variety of memory and package options ideal for a wide array of applications such as sensors, digital consumer electronics, and industrial devices.

The entire lineup of NEC Electronics' Flash MCUs features simple software programmability based on a single architecture, enabling customers to minimise the equipment necessary to manufacture their products.

NEC Electronics also offers high performance, low-cost development tools to facilitate device development, enabling customers to focus their efforts on developing application software and reduce development times and system costs for the types of large-scale devices that use 32bit MCUs.

IEcube offers full emulation and trace functionality, and Minicube makes best use of on-chip debug, enabling almost any application to get up and running quickly.

A low cost demonstration kit is also available to enable effortless evaluation and initial development.

All tools are supported by the IAR C Compiler suite and come supplied with an appetiser version so that development can be started without delay.

All V850 devices are also supported by Green Hills if preferred.

For customers who prefer to outsource software development, NEC Electronics offers services that can reduce the time and costs involved in Flash programming, enabling up to 50% reduction in time to market compared with mask ROM products.

Services include programming the microcontrollers prior to shipment from NEC Electronics' manufacturing lines, developing programming equipment for use in the customer's own manufacturing lines, as well as other services through NEC Electronics' partner companies.

The V850 series microcontrollers with embedded Flash memory are sampling now.

Mass production is scheduled to begin in January 2006.

Pricing varies according to product specifications.

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