Low-cost Microcomputers “M16C/30P Group” Now Include Versions with On-chip Flash Memory

Ideal for cost-sensitive applications, the new flash microcomputers are simplified versions of popular M16C/62P chips that have essential on-chip peripheral functions.

With flash microcomputers appearing more frequently in high-volume products, demands are growing for lower-cost models that incorporate just the essential peripheral functions. In response, Renesas has added devices with on-chip flash memory to the M16C/30P group, which consists of cut-down versions of the products in the strong-selling M16C/62P group. The new reasonably priced 16-bit flash microcomputers offer 16MHz performance and integrate the set of peripherals requested most often.

The M16C family contains multi-purpose microcomputers that meet an extremely broad span of system design requirements, particularly in the field of car audio. The strongest sellers in this popular product line are the devices the M16C/62P group, which are used in many different end products. Despite their popularity, though, they cannot meet the needs of certain system designs. Customers have told us comments such as the following: "We would like to have used an M16C/62P chip, but it is over-spec'ed, so we had to look elsewhere." Feedback of this nature has prompted Renesas to introduce the 16-bit microcomputers in the M16C/30P group. These devices are basically similar to the chips in the M16C/62P group, but cost less. They have been cost-reduced through methods such as providing less RAM and carefully optimizing the specifications to include only those peripheral functions that are really needed in basic, low-end embedded system applications.

Previously, because low cost was a main selling point, the M16C/30P group contained only mask-ROM devices. By contrast, the M16C/62P group has included flash memory versions since its inception and they are increasingly being applied in high-volume products. Using a flash memory version has numerous advantages, not least of which is the ability to change or replace the program any number of times. To meet growing demand for lower-cost flash microcomputers, Renesas has expanded the M16C/30P group by adding flash memory models that maintain the tradition of reasonable pricing. The new devices, with 96KB, 128KB or 192KB of single-voltage reprogrammable on-chip flash memory, are already in full production. They are priced considerably below the devices in the M16C/62P group.

In the past, customers who have selected a mask-ROM M16C/30P microcomputer for full-scale production have often used a flash-memory M16C/62P microcomputer for system development. This approach carries a risk, however, that the differences in the internal functions of the two devices might result in design problems that necessitate unexpected rework or additional testing when switching to the mask-ROM model. Now that flash memory versions of M16C/30P microcomputers are available, though, that risk can be eliminated because the same flash device can be used throughout the product life cycle, from development through to full-scale production. Even if the mask-ROM version is used for full-scale production, the work required for re-testing is reduced significantly.

To address requirements for further cost reductions, we are now developing one-time flash memory M16C/30P devices. They will offer less flexibility at lower cost because the devices can be programmed only once; that is, the flash cannot be erased after it is programmed.

In the future, as we adopt our next-generation production process, Renesas intends to offer flash memory versions for all product groups in the M16C family. The new flash memory models in the M16C/30P group can be seen as a notable enhancement of the product range in that direction.

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