Renesas UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX

Overview

UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX from Renesas Electronics is an 8-bit single-chip microcontroller in the 78K0/KC2 family, featuring 64 KB on-chip Flash memory, 4 KB RAM, and a 16-bit timer/counter with PWM output capability. It operates at up to 20 MHz CPU clock frequency with 10-bit A/D converter (8 channels), and supports I²C, UART, and CSI serial interfaces. It targets embedded control in industrial sensors and motor drive subsystems.

For engineers reviewing the UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX datasheet, UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX pinout, UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX application, or UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX equivalent, key selection criteria include Flash endurance (100,000 write/erase cycles), operating voltage range (2.7–5.5 V), and support for self-programming via on-chip library - critical for field firmware updates in maintenance-constrained systems.

Technical Context

The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX implements the 78K0 CPU core with 16-bit ALU, 16-level hardware stack, and instruction set compatible with earlier 78K0 devices. It integrates a 10-bit successive-approximation A/D converter with conversion time of 1.2 μs (typical) and supports simultaneous sampling across multiple channels using internal trigger sources.

Its peripheral set includes three 16-bit timer/counters (one with input capture/compare and PWM output), one watchdog timer, and a real-time clock with calendar function. The device uses a single-supply 2.7–5.5 V operation and supports low-power modes including HALT and STOP with wake-up via external interrupt or RTC alarm.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX is housed in a 64-pin LQFP package (10 mm × 10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are defined per Renesas Hardware User's Manual Rev.4.01 (Section 2.1.2).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX, R5F100PLAFB#30 offers superior active power efficiency but lacks hardware multiply/divide and has less Flash; UPD78F0513AGA-GAM-AX shares identical packaging, peripherals, and timing behavior but reduces nonvolatile storage by 16 KB - enabling BOM cost reduction where firmware size permits.

Availability

UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, motor drive subsystems, and smart meter interface modules requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX 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 Electronics Corporation is a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC solutions for industrial, automotive, and infrastructure markets.

The 78K0/KC2 product line delivers cost-optimized 8-bit MCUs with integrated Flash, analog peripherals, and robust industrial-grade reliability - designed specifically for resource-constrained embedded control in factory automation and building management systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX?

The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX supports a maximum system clock frequency of 20 MHz, achievable using either an external crystal oscillator (X1) or the internal high-speed oscillator. This frequency governs CPU instruction execution, peripheral timing, and A/D conversion rate. At 20 MHz, the device achieves approximately 10 million instructions per second (MIPS) with typical code efficiency, making it suitable for real-time control loops with sub-millisecond response requirements. The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX datasheet specifies AC characteristics including setup/hold times and pulse widths validated up to this frequency.

Does the UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX support in-application programming (IAP)?

Yes, the UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX supports in-application programming via its on-chip Flash self-programming library, which is delivered as pre-verified ROM-resident routines. These routines allow firmware to reprogram Flash sectors-including the active code area-without external tools, provided proper erase/write sequence control and voltage monitoring are implemented. The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX requires no external high-voltage programming supply, and the library handles lock-bit management and error detection. Full implementation details are documented in Renesas Application Note U17516E.

What are the power supply requirements for the UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX analog section?

The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX requires separate analog power (EVDD) and ground (EVSS) connections, decoupled with 0.1 μF ceramic capacitors placed near the pins. EVDD must be supplied within the same 2.7–5.5 V range as VDD but may be independently filtered to suppress digital noise. The internal A/D converter uses EVDD as its reference unless AVREF is externally driven. The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX specification guarantees A/D linearity and offset performance only when EVDD/EVSS are properly isolated from noisy digital domains - a requirement explicitly called out in Section 2.2.12 of the Hardware User's Manual.

How many I/O ports does the UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX provide, and what are their key capabilities?

The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX provides eight general-purpose I/O ports (P0 through P7) plus two additional ports (P12 and P13), totaling 60 programmable I/O pins in the 64-pin LQFP package. Each port supports individually configurable direction, pull-up enable, and alternate functions including UART, I²C, CSI, timer I/O, and A/D input. Port 0 and Port 1 include dedicated interrupt capability on every pin, supporting edge-triggered wake-up from low-power modes. The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX also allows simultaneous use of multiple peripheral functions on shared pins via software-selectable function registers.

Is the UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX qualified for industrial temperature operation?

Yes, the UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX is rated for industrial temperature operation from −40 °C to +85 °C, as confirmed in Renesas' official ordering information and electrical specifications. This qualification applies to the "GAM" grade suffix, indicating compliance with Renesas' Standard quality grade for industrial applications such as factory automation, test equipment, and building control systems. The UPD78F0515AGA-GAM-AX undergoes screening and characterization across this full range for parameters including Flash write endurance, A/D accuracy, and oscillator stability - all specified in the Hardware User's Manual Rev.4.01.