11
Maxim Integrated
16-Bit Microcontroller with Infrared Module
MAXQ613
Detailed Description
The MAXQ613 provides integrated, low-cost solutions
that simplify the design of IR communications equipment
such as universal remote controls. Standard features
include the highly optimized, single-cycle, MAXQ, 16-bit
RISC core; 48KB of program flash memory; 1.5KB data
RAM; soft stack; 16 general-purpose registers; and
three data pointers. The MAXQ core has the industry’s
best MIPS/mA rating, allowing developers to achieve
the same performance as competing microcontrollers
at substantially lower clock rates. Lower active-mode
current combined with the even lower MAXQ613 stop-
mode current (0.2FA typ) results in increased battery life.
Application-specific peripherals include flexible timers
for generating IR carrier frequencies and modulation. A
high-current IR drive pin capable of sinking up to 25mA
current and output pins capable of sinking up to 5mA
are ideal for IR applications. It also includes general-
purpose I/O pins ideal for keypad matrix input, and a
power-fail-detection circuit to notify the application when
the supply voltage is nearing the microcontroller’s mini-
mum operating voltage.
At the heart of the device is the MAXQ 16-bit, RISC core.
Operating from DC to 12MHz, almost all instructions exe-
cute in a single clock cycle (83.3ns at 12MHz), enabling
nearly 12MIPS true-code operation. When active device
operation is not required, an ultra-low-power stop mode
can be invoked from software, resulting in quiescent
current consumption of less than 0.2FA (typ) and 2.0FA
(max). The combination of high-performance instructions
and ultra-low stop-mode current increases battery life
over competing microcontrollers. An integrated POR cir-
cuit with brownout support resets the device to a known
condition following a power-up cycle or brownout condi-
tion. Additionally, a power-fail warning flag is set, and a
power-fail interrupt can be generated when the system
voltage falls below the power-fail warning voltage, VPFW.
The power-fail warning feature allows the application to
notify the user that the system supply is low and appro-
priate action should be taken.
Microprocessor
The device is based on Maxim’s low-power, 16-bit
MAXQ20S family of RISC cores. The core supports the
Harvard memory architecture with separate 16-bit pro-
gram and data address buses. A fixed 16-bit instruction
word is standard, but data can be arranged in 8 or 16
bits. The MAXQ core in the device is implemented as
a pipelined processor with performance approaching
1MIPS per MHz. The 16-bit data path is implemented
around register modules, and each register module con-
tributes specific functions to the core. The accumulator
module consists of sixteen 16-bit registers and is tightly
coupled with the arithmetic logic unit (ALU). A configu-
rable soft stack supports program flow.
Execution of instructions is triggered by data transfer
between functional register modules or between a func-
tional register module and memory. Because data move-
ment involves only source and destination modules,
circuit switching activities are limited to active modules
only. For power-conscious applications, this approach
localizes power dissipation and minimizes switching
noise. The modular architecture also provides a maxi-
mum of flexibility and reusability that are important for a
microprocessor used in embedded applications.
The MAXQ instruction set is highly orthogonal. All arith-
metical and logical operations can use any register
in conjunction with the accumulator. Data movement
is supported from any register to any other register.
Memory is accessed through specific data-pointer reg-
isters with autoincrement/decrement support.
Block Diagram
16-BIT MAXQ
RISC CPU
5.5KB
DATA SRAM
USART
8kHz NANO
RING
2x
16-BIT TIMER
GPIO
VOLTAGE
MONITOR
CLOCK
48KB FLASH
MEMORY
IR TIMER
WATCHDOG
1.5KB
UTILITY ROM
SPI
IR DRIVER
REGULATOR
MAXQ613