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The following page content corresponds to the products formerly marketed by NEC Electronics

Products > Microcontrollers > Product Lineup >

78K0 Core


The 78K0 core is today NEC Electronics' mainstream 8-bit core. Based on this core, the 78K0S core was derived for cost-sensitive applications without the performance needs of the 78K0. Hence, the 78K0S is used mainly for very small devices.

The newest addition to the 78K family is the 16-bit 78K0R core. It is also based on the 78K0 but provides, thanks to its 16-bit-wide databus and 16-bit-wide ALU, real 16-bit performance.

Feature highlights are listed in the table below. Click on an application link to get more product information.


Feature Core
78K0S 78K0 78K0R
Architecture Von Neumann, CISC Von Neumann, CISC Von Neumann, CISC
Data bus width 8-bit 8-bit 16-bit
Address space 64 KB 64 KB 1 MB
ALU width 8-bit 8-bit 16-bit
Multiplication no core instruction
(but by peripheral) 		8 x 8 -> 16 8 x 8 -> 16
Number of instructions 48
(reduced from 78K0) 		63 71
(adapted from 78K0)
Instruction pipeline no no 3 stages
Max. memory size 60 KB 128 KB 512 KB
Max. clock speed 10 MHz 20 MHz 20 MHz
Min. instruction time 200 ns 100 ns 50 ns
Max. Dhrystone MIPS 1 2 13
Design target cost efficiency excellent performance 16-bit performance
Applications General Purpose
LCD Control
Motor Control
Remote Control
For other applications 		General Purpose
LCD Control
CAN Interface
Motor Control
Remote Control
For other applications 		General Purpose
Motor Control