µC family ensures interchangeability

When developing a system using several µCs, a system designer prefers to use devices of the same family, which tend to share the same processor core architecture, peripheral specifications, and pin arrangements. NEC’s K1 µC family aims to facilitate switching between devices within the 8-bit and 32-bit µC series, and to also help upgrade from an 8-bit µC to a 32-bit µC.


The 78K0/Kx1 series of 8-bit µCs and the V850ES/Kx1 series of 32-bit µCs share a number of detailed specifications. The 78K0/Kx1 series consists of CISC µCs, which will replace NEC’s existing 8-bit µCs, the 78K/OS and the 78K/0 series. The devices are designed for use in automotive and home audio equipment applications.


The V850ES/Kx1 series consists of 32-bit RISC µCs that will replace NEC’s 16-bit 78K/4 µC series. This series enables users of 8-bit µCs to skip 16-bit devices, and switch to 32-bit µCs.


To reduce design complications, peripherals and pin arrangements are identical for each of the 8-bit and 32-bit µCs. Further, emulation boards have been made standard. One board each for 8-bit and 32-bit devices is compatible with all models.


To ease switching to 32-bit devices, the V850ES/Kx1 and 78K0/Kx1 series share common functions, specifications and electrical properties of timers, serial interfaces, A/D converters and other peripherals. Moreover, both systems use the same GUI for debuggers, so that you can quickly become accustomed to new debuggers when switching to a 32-bit device.


The 78K0/Kx1 models have ROM capacities of 8, 16, 24, 32, 48 and 60 Kbytes, and operate from a power source between 2.7 and 5.5V. The devices execute a command in a minimum of 0.2 µs (at a clock frequency of 10 MHz and a power source voltage of 5V). The µCs are equipped with RAM, a 16-bit timer, an 8-bit timer, a 10-bit A/D converter, UART and GPIO.


The sample price for the 78K0/KB1 (µPD78F0103C) devices, equipped with 24-Kbyte flash memory, has been set at US$4.60 (10,000); for the 78K0/KB1 (µPD780101C) devices equipped with 8-Kbyte mask ROM, at

The V850ES/Kx1 series comprises models with ROM capacities of 64, 96 and 128 Kbytes. The power source voltage is between 2.7 and 5.5V. These devices offer 24-MIPS performance, with a power supply of 5V and operation frequency of 20 MHz. The devices are equipped with UART and ROM correction functions. The sample price for the V850ES/KJ1 (µPD70F3217GJ), with 128-Kbyte flash memory, is US$11.50 (10,000), while that for the V850ES/KJ1 (µPD703217GJ), with 128-Kbyte mask ROM, is US$4.85.


NEC Electron Devices
Fax (81) 3-3457-7249
www.nec.com