C8051F960-A-GQ

Overview

The C8051F960-A-GQ is an ultra-low power 8-bit microcontroller from the C8051F96x family, featuring a high-speed CIP-51 core with up to 128 kB of in-system programmable Flash and 8 kB of internal data RAM. It integrates a 12-bit SAR ADC with 16 channels and autonomous burst mode, alongside two low-current comparators and an integrated LCD controller supporting up to 128 segments. The device includes a DC-DC buck converter for dynamic voltage scaling, hardware AES, DMA, CRC engines, and multiple serial interfaces including SMBus, SPI, and UART.

Feature Summary

• Ultra-low power architecture with sleep currents as low as 110 nA and rapid wakeup capabilities
• Integrated LCD controller with charge pump for contrast control and minimal static display power consumption
• Hardware acceleration for security and metering via on-chip AES, DMA, CRC, and Data Packet Processing Engine
• High-resolution analog subsystem featuring a 12-bit ADC with auto-averaging accumulator and programmable current reference

Applications

• Smart metering systems requiring pulse accumulation and sensor interfacing
• Battery-powered instrumentation utilizing dynamic voltage scaling
• Embedded devices with graphical or alphanumeric LCD displays
• Wireless protocol implementations accelerated by hardware encryption and encoding blocks

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'GQ' corresponds to the required package type and temperature grade against the manufacturer's official ordering guide. Confirm that the '-A' revision matches the intended silicon lot requirements. Ensure compatibility with the target PCB land pattern for the specified package variant before finalizing procurement orders.

Selection Notes

Select this component when system design demands simultaneous low-power operation and complex peripheral integration without external support chips. The inclusion of a DC-DC buck converter makes it suitable for applications requiring efficient voltage regulation across varying load conditions. Evaluate the available I/O count and memory size against application constraints to ensure optimal resource utilization within the package footprint.

Part Context

This part belongs to the C8051F96x series of mixed-signal microcontrollers designed for high-performance, low-power embedded applications. The family emphasizes energy efficiency through advanced power management features while maintaining full 8051 instruction set compatibility. It targets markets where board space and power consumption are critical design constraints.

Replacement Considerations

Consult the official Silicon Labs cross-reference documentation for verified pin-compatible or functionally equivalent alternatives within the C8051F9xx family. Verify memory sizes and peripheral availability in potential substitutes to ensure no loss of functionality during migration.