NEC Knows Even Toasters Need Chips

Virtually every device contains a piece of silicon in it to give it the functionality we’ve come to expect. To help enable such capabilities, NEC Electronics America, has introduced its 78K0/Lx3 line of 8-bit all flash microcontrollers (MCUs) with on-chip liquid crystal display (LCD) controllers/drivers and low power consumption levels. The 78K0/Lx3 family features 46 devices and 76 product configurations. NEC says the MCUs are ideal for consumer electronics products that have LCD panels and strict power consumption requirements. The new devices can be used in home healthcare equipment such as scales, blood pressure monitors and blood glucose meters ; HVAC and industrial systems such as utility meters ; and household appliances such as coffee makers. With the addition of these latest devices, NEC Electronics America’s comprehensive lineup now includes 290 all flash MCUs, ranging from compact and economical 8-bit devices to high-performance 32-bit versions. The new MCUs are available in 76 configurations, with embedded flash memory capacities ranging from 8 to 60 kB and pin counts ranging from 48 to 80. The flash memory is based on SuperFlash technology licensed from Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. Samples of the new 78K0/Lx3 devices will be available starting in March 2007. Pricing varies according to device specifications. For example, the 80-pin 78K0/LF3 MCU with 60 kB of flash memory is priced at $5 per unit for 1,000-lot quantities. Volume production is scheduled to begin in April 2007, and monthly production is expected to reach approximately 1,000,000 units by the third quarter of 2008.