NEC 8-bit MCUs with integrated dimming and inverter functions

Designed specifically for use in fluorescent and LED lighting devices:
Milton Keynes (UK) – The 14 new 8-bit all flash microcontrollers of the 78K0/lx2-family from NEC Electronics, designed specifically for fluorescent and LED lighting applications, enable a significant reduction in system and energy costs. Gleichmann Sunrise will present these devices for the first time in Hall 9, Stand 235 at embedded world 2009.

Among other things, the MCUs are equipped with up to two 16-bit PWM timers, which enable a precise PWM control in 65536 steps. An especially powerful oscillator, which allows control of the two integrated timers with a maximum of 40 MHz, guarantees a fine-grained inverter control. Furthermore, both of the integrated timers are each capable of generating two non-overlapping outputs so that also four-channel LEDs with precise dimming and color control can be driven by a single MCU. In practice, one of the 16-bit PWM timers is used for control of the power factor cosφ (PFC).

For a reliable protection against over-current or under-voltage, comparators with outputs linked directly to the PWM timer were integrated on the chips. Thus, if needed, the PWM output is immediately shut down without intervention of the CPU.

The new 8-bit microcontrollers consume only 0.7 µA in standby mode and 260 µA during operation at 1 MHz. This feature helps keep power consumption of the lighting as low as possible. Furthermore, an integrated Manchester encoder/decoder in the UART enables lighting control of multiple networked lighting devices in compliance with the digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) standard.

All MCUs of the 78K0/lx2 family are qualified for the extended operating temperature range from ‑40°C to +105°C and are offered, dependent on version, in a 16-pin, 20-pin or 30-pin SSOP package. Data sheets are immediately available from Gleichmann Sunrise. Mass production is expected to begin in May 2009.