Renesas M38C13E6HP#U0

Overview

M38C13E6HP#U0 from Renesas Technology Corp. is an 8-bit CMOS microcomputer based on the 740 family core, integrating LCD drive control, 8-channel 8-bit A-D converter, and serial I/O. It features 24 KB ROM (One Time PROM), 512 bytes RAM, 30 programmable I/O ports, and operates from 1.8 V to 5.5 V in low-speed mode-designed for battery-powered consumer display interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the M38C13E6HP#U0 datasheet, M38C13E6HP#U0 pinout, M38C13E6HP#U0 application, or M38C13E6HP#U0 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 64-pin QFP package (64P6Q-A), LCD bias/duty flexibility (1/1–1/4, static–1/4), sub-clock support (32 kHz quartz), and low-power stop-mode dissipation (18 µW at 2.5 V).

Technical Context

The M38C13E6HP#U0 implements a standard 740-family instruction set with 71 basic machine-language instructions and a minimum 0.5 µs instruction execution time at 8 MHz. Its CPU includes accumulator, dual 8-bit index registers (X/Y), 8-bit stack pointer, and 16-bit program counter with zero-page and special-page addressing modes.

It supports three clock domains: main clock (XIN/XOUT with ceramic resonator or ring oscillator), sub-clock (XCIN/XCOUT with 32 kHz quartz), and system clock φ output. Power management enables high/middle/low-speed modes via CPU mode register (CPUM) bit configuration, with dedicated reset, interrupt (13 sources), and timer resources (8-bit ×3, 16-bit ×2).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 64-pin plastic molded QFP (64P6Q-A), 0.5 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant surface-mount.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 8-bit microcontroller applications.

Compared with R5F100PLAFB#30 and HD64F38C13E6HP#U0, the M38C13E6HP#U0 offers proven low-power LCD integration and OTP cost efficiency for fixed-function, high-volume consumer devices-but lacks flash reprogrammability and modern debug infrastructure.

Availability

M38C13E6HP#U0 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for remote controls, smart thermostats, kitchen timers, and portable medical monitors requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle consumer programs.

Supply support for M38C13E6HP#U0 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Renesas Technology Corp. is a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer formed in 2003 through the merger of Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric's semiconductor operations, specializing in microcontrollers, analog, and power devices.

The 38C1 Group was designed for cost-sensitive, low-power consumer electronics with integrated LCD and A-D functionality-targeting applications where minimal external components and long battery life are critical.

FAQ

What is the memory configuration of the M38C13E6HP#U0?

The M38C13E6HP#U0 contains 24 KB of One Time PROM (24446 bytes user-accessible ROM) and 512 bytes of RAM. The first 128 bytes and last 2 bytes of ROM are reserved for testing and cannot be used for application code. RAM is allocated in the zero page (0000–00FF₁₆) and supports stack operations for interrupts and subroutine calls. This configuration is confirmed in the "PART NUMBERING" and "GROUP EXPANSION" sections of the official documentation.

Does the M38C13E6HP#U0 support external crystal oscillators for both main and sub clocks?

The M38C13E6HP#U0 supports an external quartz crystal only on the XCIN/XCOUT pins for the 32 kHz sub-clock; the main clock (XIN/XOUT) accepts either a ceramic resonator or external clock signal-but not a quartz crystal. The datasheet explicitly states that "if an external clock is used, connect the clock source to the XIN pin and leave the XOUT pin open," and prohibits quartz use on XIN/XOUT. This restriction ensures stable startup and frequency tolerance compliance for the M38C13E6HP#U0.

How many LCD segments can the M38C13E6HP#U0 drive, and what bias/duty options are available?

The M38C13E6HP#U0 drives up to 25 segment outputs (SEG0–SEG24) and 4 common outputs (COM0–COM3), enabling up to 100-segment multiplexed displays. Bias options are 1/1, 1/2, or 1/3; duty options include static, 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4. These settings are controlled via the LCD mode register (LM) and segment output enable register (SEG), as detailed in the "FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION" and "PIN DESCRIPTION" sections for the M38C13E6HP#U0.

What is the lowest power consumption mode of the M38C13E6HP#U0, and under what conditions is it achieved?

The lowest power consumption mode of the M38C13E6HP#U0 is the stop mode, achieving typ. 18 µW at V_CC = 2.5 V, f_XCIN = 32 kHz, and T_a = 25 °C. In this mode, the main oscillator is halted, CPU and peripheral clocks are stopped, but the sub-clock remains active to support wake-up events (e.g., key press via ADKEY). This value is specified in the "FEATURES" section and validated in the "Power dissipation" table for the One Time PROM version of the M38C13E6HP#U0.

Can the M38C13E6HP#U0 perform A-D conversion while in low-power mode?

Yes-the M38C13E6HP#U0 can execute A-D conversion in middle- and low-speed modes, including during stop mode when the sub-clock is active. The ADKEY function automatically triggers conversion on AN0–AN3 upon voltage change, generating an interrupt without CPU intervention. This capability is documented in the "A-D converter" feature list and "ADKEY input pins" description, confirming autonomous operation for wake-up events in the M38C13E6HP#U0.