NEC Introduces Two 8-Bit Microcontrollers With Integrated Constant High Current Drivers

The new devices share the following features: (1) integration of All Flash microcontroller and constant current driver in a single-chip for smaller board space and fewer, lower cost, off-chip components, (2) NEC Electronics’ All Flash MCU with integration of A/D converter, plus I2C and UART interfaces for more precise multifunctional control; and (3) Built-in current drivers and protection circuits for efficient and highly reliable drive systems. The new devices can provide system designers with higher performance, lower cost and space saving at the same time.

Recently, thanks to their small profile, lower power consumption, and longer life, LEDs are widely used in various lighting systems such as illumination, indoor and outdoor signage and displays, lighting applications at a shop, office, or home, and backlight systems for LCD panels. These requirements are usually met by combining microcontrollers with discrete components such as transistor diodes and voltage control driver ICs. Yet, power consumption and system part counts, as well as higher performance, remain primary concerns for manufacturers. To meet the growing market demands, NEC Electronics introduced the new single-chip solutions combining its 78K0/KB2, low-power MCUs with constant current drivers to meet the needs of these particular markets.

NEC Electronics introduces these new chips as the first in a series of new power control devices that can provide development of compact and energy efficient LED lighting systems and other drive applications. A full evaluation kit, Shine it!, is also available, along with comprehensive development tools.