Renesas UPD78F9116AC-A

Overview

UPD78F9116AC-A from Renesas Electronics is an 8-bit Flash-based microcontroller in the 78K/0S series, designed for embedded control in cost-sensitive, low-power consumer appliances. It integrates 16 KB Flash memory, 256 bytes of high-speed RAM, four 10-bit A/D channels, and supports 1.8–5.5 V operation with a minimum instruction cycle of 0.4 µs at 5.0 MHz - enabling real-time motor control in battery chargers and washing machines.

For engineers reviewing the UPD78F9116AC-A datasheet, UPD78F9116AC-A pinout, UPD78F9116AC-A application, or UPD78F9116AC-A equivalent, key selection criteria include its 20 I/O port pins (including 4 N-channel open-drain outputs rated to 12 V), switchable UART/three-wire serial interface, and on-chip 16-bit timer 20 with capture/compare capability for precise timing in appliance subsystems.

Technical Context

The UPD78F9116AC-A implements the 78K/0S CPU core with full 8-bit instruction set support including bit manipulation (SET1/CLR1), 16-bit arithmetic (ADDW/SUBW), and vectored interrupts. Its memory architecture separates 16 KB Flash program space from 256-byte RAM, with dedicated analog power (AVDD/AVSS) and independent A/D input pins (ANI0–ANI3).

It features three integrated timers: a 16-bit timer 20 with capture/compare output (TO20/CPT20), an 8-bit timer/event counter 80 (TO80/TI80), and a watchdog timer - all synchronized to the main system clock (X1/X2 or internal RC oscillator). Serial communication is implemented via a single channel (SI20/SO20/SCK20) configurable as either UART or three-wire synchronous I/O.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

UPD78F9116AC-A is packaged in a 28-pin plastic shrink DIP (400 mil) with 0.4-inch width, compatible with standard through-hole PCB assembly and socket-based prototyping.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with UPD78F9116AC-A, UPD78F9114GC-GA-AX offers identical packaging and I/O but reduced Flash capacity and no in-system programmability; R5F100PLAFB#30 delivers modern low-power architecture and expanded peripherals at the cost of redesign effort and non-pin-compatibility.

Availability

UPD78F9116AC-A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for washing machine control, battery charger management, and refrigerator compressor regulation requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for UPD78F9116AC-A 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 global semiconductor leader specializing in microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The UPD78F9116AC-A belongs to the 78K/0S series - a family of cost-optimized 8-bit MCUs targeting small-scale, general-purpose embedded control in white goods and power tools.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency supported by the UPD78F9116AC-A?

The UPD78F9116AC-A operates with a main system clock up to 5.0 MHz, delivering a minimum instruction execution time of 0.4 µs in high-speed mode. It supports external crystals (1–10 MHz) or internal RC oscillators, and timing-critical functions like A/D conversion and serial communication remain fully functional within this range. The UPD78F9116AC-A does not support frequencies beyond 5.0 MHz per its published electrical characteristics.

Does the UPD78F9116AC-A support in-system programming (ISP) without removing the chip from the board?

Yes, the UPD78F9116AC-A supports in-system programming via its VPP pin and dedicated Flash programming interface. Using the Flashpro II programmer, firmware can be written or erased while the UPD78F9116AC-A remains soldered on the target board - supporting prototype iteration and field upgrades. The VPP pin must be driven with 10 V during programming and tied to VSS during normal operation.

How many analog input channels does the UPD78F9116AC-A provide, and what is their resolution?

The UPD78F9116AC-A integrates four analog input channels (ANI0–ANI3) mapped to port pins P60–P63, each with 10-bit resolution and programmable sampling time. These channels share a common ADC module with internal reference voltage and support sequential or single-shot conversion modes. The UPD78F9116AC-A does not include built-in temperature sensor or VREF output pins.

Can the UPD78F9116AC-A operate from a single 3.3 V supply, and is it 5 V tolerant?

Yes, the UPD78F9116AC-A operates across 1.8 V to 5.5 V, making 3.3 V a fully supported supply voltage. Its CMOS I/O pins (P00–P03, P10–P11, P20–P25, P50–P53) are 5 V tolerant only on the open-drain P50–P53 pins (rated to 12 V), while other digital I/O pins are strictly VDD-referenced and must not exceed VDD + 0.3 V. The UPD78F9116AC-A requires separate AVDD/AVSS decoupling for analog accuracy at 3.3 V.

What serial communication interfaces are available on the UPD78F9116AC-A?

The UPD78F9116AC-A provides one serial interface channel (SI20/SO20/SCK20) that is software-configurable as either UART (RXD20/TXD20) or three-wire synchronous serial I/O (SI20/SO20/SCK20). It does not support SPI, I²C, or CAN. The UART mode supports standard baud rates (e.g., 9600 bps) and is commonly used for debugging and host communication, while the three-wire mode interfaces with sensors or displays requiring synchronous clocking.