New release 8-bit A/D Microcontroller HT46C23

February 21, 2002

The new Holtek HT46C23 is a new MASK version 8-bit A/D MCU compatible with HT46R23 OTP(One Time Programmable) version MCU from Holtek Semiconductor, which is suitable for mass production. Having the same functions and features as HT46R23(OTP), the operating voltage can be reduced to 2.2V if the low-voltage reset is disabled.While designed mainly with the high-level domestic appliance and industrial control area in mind, its embedded A/D converter and PWM D/A converter makes it an extremely valuable and flexible MCU device for designers of these products. By eliminating the need for external A/D and PWM D/A components, major savings in overall product costs can be achieved as well as simplifying the production process, increasing product reliability and reducing part inventory. During the product design and production process, the flexibility offered through HT46R23(OTP) capabilities of the device allows for rapid and efficient user program changes resulting in faster design to market times.

The internal PWM D/A is a 2-channel 8-bit D/A and was designed to work with a high frequency carrier wave. In DC-to-DC converter applications this feature offers the advantage of reducing the size and weight of the necessary external power output inductor with resulting improvements in overall power efficiency. Using these 2-channel PWM outputs is simplified by having the PWM registers shared with two I/O registers, both of which can be directly written to. The A/D converter is an 8-channel 10-bit resolution type which offers the user the flexibility of software controlled A/D options and channel selection. Serial communication for the HT46C23 is provided through an I2C bus allowing for extremely convenient and simplified on board application communication. With its flexible and programmable design features, the HT46C23 is especially suited for a large range of industrial control and various electrical appliance applications such as switching power supplies, multi-function battery chargers, household appliances etc.

To complement Holtek's range of microcontroller devices, a comprehensive set of hardware and software tools have also been developed in the form of the HT-IDE2000 development system. Features such as real time emulation, memory/register modification, hardware execution breakpoints, trace analyzers etc, are all standard features of the system which provide designers with all the tools they need for rapid and efficient product application development and debug.