NEC Electronics announced 12 new 16-bit MCUs with on-chip LCD driver, optimized especially for the fields of handheld applications. The new All Flash microcontrollers are equipped with NEC Electronics’ 16-bit 78K0R CPU core, integrating in one chip all the necessary functions to construct systems using LCD segmented displays, while implementing a high performance analog front-end, having 12-bit A/D and 12-bit D/A converters, and operational amplifiers. In addition, the new products reduce standby power consumption to 1.2 microamperes (μA) with the LCD enabled, which is one-tenth the level of the company’s previous products.

These new products allow system manufacturers to produce smaller, more reliable, and low-cost battery-operated equipment, such as health care applications with LCD display functions, gas/water/electricity meters, and factory automation instruments.