Embedded 8-bit MCUs solve extreme power, space and cost challenges

RS Components is now supplying all three Silicon Labs EFM8 microcontroller series based on the ubiquitous 8051 8-bit core. Comprising a broad selection of devices the portfolio is ideal for highly focused, energy-conscious and space-efficient applications. Low-cost development kits for all devices are also available, says the company. The EFM8 Sleepy Bee devices are extremely energy friendly, running at a core speed of up to 25MHz and offering multiple power-management modes. The sleep current of 50nA is among the lowest of any microcontroller, and the active current of 150µA/MHz ensures thrifty performance in any battery-powered application. The peripherals, on the other hand, are empowering: 14 capacitive sense channels, 12-bit ADC, precision oscillator, low-current comparator and voltage reference. There are also four 16-bit timers, a UART, and support for I2C, SMBus and SPI. The devices present a highly economical option. Two series are available, offering the choice of 25MHz or 50MHz maximum CPU speed, and the devices offer versatile peripherals including two analogue comparators, 12/10-bit SAR ADC, four 16-bit timers, plus I2C, SMBus and SPI. For applications needing USB connectivity, the EFM8 Universal Bee microcontrollers adds a crystal-less full-speed/low-speed USB2.0-compliant controller with 1KB buffer memory and clock recovery. There are also two UARTs and up to two I2C/SMBus ports. Universal Bee devices are offered in two series with up to 16KB or 64KB of on-chip Flash. All EFM8 microcontrollers feature a priority crossbar encoder that allows small packages by managing pin assignments so as to eliminate conflicts. Busy Bee and Sleepy Bee microcontrollers are offered in packages as small as 3mm x 3mm QFN20, as well as hand-solderable 24-pin QSOP or 16-pin SOIC (Busy Bee 2). The Universal Bee devices are offered in packages from 3mm x 3mm QFN20 to hand-solderable 32-pin LQFP or 48-pin TQFP (Universal Bee 2), says the company.