Renesas Introduces Ultra Low Power, Low Pin Count Versions of RL78 Microcontrollers

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, has developed the RL78/G10 Group as low pin count versions of the RL78/G1x Series of microcontrollers (MCUs) that feature excellent low-power operation as well as superb processing performance with on-chip flash memory capacities from 1 to 4 KB in 10-pin SSOP (Shrink Small Outline Package) and 16-pin SSOP packages. These MCUs are optimal for consumer products such as small appliances.

The new products inherit the superlative features of the RL78 Family, which include the industry's lowest level of power consumption and the ability to reduce total system costs by taking advantage of the peripheral functions integrated with the MCU itself. Furthermore, the new products feature reduced operating current (46 µA/MHz – 20 MHz basic operation) by about 30 percent compared with existing Renesas' RL78/G13 Group of MCUs (66 µA/MHz – 32 MHz basic operation), by improvements such as optimization of the inner wiring.

Since consumers are now demanding high functionality in miniature devices, such as electric toothbrushes and electric razors, that were previously controlled by simple mechanical switches or logic circuit, finer control is now required in these products. Furthermore, there are increasing needs for even lower power consumption associated with battery drive in the miniature electronic equipment market, which requires these low pin count MCUs.

To respond to these needs, the new RL78/G10 Group low pin count MCUs in the RL78/G1x Series offers low power consumption and maintains the key peripheral functions of the RL78 Family in low pin count packages.

Key Features of the RL78/G10 Group of MCUs:

• (1) Ultra-low-power consumption (46 µA/MHz – 20 MHz basic operation) contributes to lengthening battery life and smaller form factor products.
  • Designers can choose batteries with smaller capacity and smaller shape, thus the new products contribute to reducing product size.
• (2) The small size of the package—down to 3.6 mm × 4.4 mm—allows the RL78/G10 MCUs to be retro fitted for small consumer products.
  • The RL78/G10 Group is suitable for low-power, low-cost consumer products such as electric toothbrushes with battery drive. The new product facilitates replacement of mechanical components and adding new intelligent features, such as power optimization, battery monitoring, and sensor management.
• (3) The accurate high-speed on-chip oscillator (OCO) allows reduced system cost.
  • The integrated high-speed OCO incorporated in the new product eliminates the requirement for an external oscillator for many consumer electronic devices.
• (4) As a controller of power IC, the new device reduces system power consumption.
  • A complicate system with multiple power sources requires a power IC to control the power activation sequence. The power IC requires control from outside. The new ultra low power consumption RL78/G10 Group reduces such a system's power consumption by controlling the power IC. Renesas provides kit solutions with power ICs including Renesas' RAA23021x Series.

Refer to the separate sheet for the main specifications of the RL78/G10 Group of MCUs.
Pricing and Availability

Samples of the 10-pin SSOP of the RL78/G10 Group of MCUs are available now, priced at US$0.29 per unit in 10,000-unit quantities for the 10-pin SSOP with 2 KB Flash. Mass production of the RL78/G10 devices is scheduled to begin in June 2013 and is expected to reach a scale of 1,000,000 units per month in May 2014. Samples of the 16-pin SSOP devices will be available in the end of 2013. (Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.)