The Renesas M32C/87 is the latest member to join the versatile M16C platform. Aimed at closing the gap between the 16 & 32-bit microcontroller markets this device features a comprehensive peripheral set & a large, highly reliable Flash memory offering to try & meet the demands of this application space.

Available with embedded Flash memory densities of 384KB to 1MB (the largest available in the M16C Platform range) & 24KB to 48KB of RAM, the M32C/87 combines these factors with its high performance CPU core to produce a multitalented device.

The M32C/80 CPU CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) core can run at either 32MHz at 5V or 24MHz at 3V & as a member of the M16C platform, it supports pin & code compatibility throughout the families - a real selling point if you are looking to upgrade an existing design that utilises a less powerful/reduced function set M16C platform family member currently. Inside the M32C/80 core all of the M16C 16-bit instructions have been maintained, but are added to by a set of complimentary 32-bit instructions. Using 16-bit register pairs along a hardware barrel shifter, 32-bit registers have been implemented, resulting in the number of cycles per instruction being reduced down to an average of two from three - providing RISC like performance whilist maintain excellent code density.

The M32C/87 also feature DSP functionality, provided by a two cycle multiply accumulation instruction to allow functions such as software modem, speech compression & telecommunication software stacks to be handled by the device.

Onboard the MCU are a number of communications options including 0, 1 or 2 CAN channels (CAN 2.0B compliant) & up to 6 UART channels supporting I2C, IEBus & IrDA. Peripherals include: 2x4KB VEEPROM (Virtual EEPROM), 4 DMA channels, 11 channel 16-bit timer, three-phase motor control unit, input capture/output compare unit, PLL, Main, Sub, & on-chip oscillator, 26 channel 10-bit A/D & 8-bit 2 channel D/A.

For evaluation/development purposes the M32C/87 is supported by its own dedicated RSK (Renesas Starter Kit). The kit is supplied with Renesas's Embedded Workbench HEW4.0, C-Compiler, E8a on-chip debugger, CPU board with M32C/87 MCU, a LCD for user/diagnostic interaction & sample code.

The board family offering, powerful performance, & versatility of the M32C/87 combined with quiet EMI/EMS characteristics & a highly reliable design we have come to expect from the Renesas M16C platform, makes this micro an ideal choice for automotive, communication, industrial & office automation applications.

For more information please visit Renesas.