Acroview Technology, a leader in chip programming, has announced the expansion of its compatible chip model list with the release of its new programming software. The new addition includes Renergy's smart meter MCU chip, the RN8318, which is now supported by the Acroview universal programming platform, the AP8000.

The RN8318 integrates an ARM Cortex-M0 core, 512KB Flash and 32KB SRAM, and an independently powered hardware temperature-compensated RTC, with an LCD supporting 8*36/6*38/4*40 configurations. Packaged in LQFP128, its typical application areas include three-phase meters compliant with the State Grid 698 protocol (using LCD) and high-end overseas three-phase meters.

Product Features

• Basic Features
-- High Integration: 32-bit ARM M0 CPU + maximum 512KB Flash/32KB SRAM + independently powered hardware temperature-compensated RTC + LCD controller
-- Wide Voltage: Typically ensures normal CPU operation within a voltage range of 2.3V to 5.5V
-- Typically ensures RTC accuracy within a voltage range of 2.7V to 5.5V
-- Typically maintains calendar time retention within a voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V
-- High Performance: With a single 32768 crystal oscillator, the maximum CPU operating frequency reaches 29.4912MHz (32KHz, 1.8432MHz, 7.3728MHz, 14.7456MHz optional)
-- With a 32768 crystal oscillator plus an external high-frequency crystal oscillator, the maximum CPU operating frequency reaches 29.4912MHz (32KHz, 1.8432MHz, 7.3728MHz, 14.7456MHz, 29.4912MHz optional)
-- Low Power Consumption
-- CPU subsystem power consumption is better than 18μA when operating at 32KHz (with cache)
-- Overall chip power consumption in sleep mode is approximately 7μA (RTC auto temperature compensation; RAM retention; CPU and digital peripherals remaining powered; interrupt wake-up)
-- Typical VBAT domain power consumption is approximately 1.5μA
-- LCD power consumption is approximately 5μA, overall chip power consumption with always-on display is 13μA (resistor string divider mode, including 6COM display power consumption)
-- LCD power consumption is approximately 10μA, overall chip power consumption with always-on display is 18μA (charge pump mode, including 8COM display power consumption)
-- High Precision: RTC second pulse error is less than 10ppm over the full temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), with a minimum calibration step of 0.068ppm
-- RTC maintains second pulse accuracy even under battery power
-- Package: LQFP128

-- Processor Related
-- ARM Cortex-M0 core
-- 512KB FLASH memory
-- Provides 32KBytes SRAM, of which 2KBytes are used as Cache
-- Single-cycle multiplier (32bit*32bit)
-- CM0 embedded system timer
-- Supports multiple wake-up methods including external interrupts
-- Provides a comprehensive integrated development hardware and software environment

-- RTC
-- Hardware automatic temperature compensation, meeting standard accuracy and power consumption requirements without CPU intervention
-- Ensures accurate 1Hz output under battery power
-- Temperature sensor: measurement accuracy is ±1°C within the range of -25°C to 70°C
-- RTC calendar and automatic temperature compensation circuit independently powered by VBAT pin
-- Typical VBAT domain power consumption is better than 1.5μA
-- Temperature compensation activation time is approximately 2ms, typical temperature measurement power consumption is 250μA. If activated once every 30 seconds, the average power consumption is 0.016μA

-- LCD
-- Supports 4*40, 6*38, 8*36 configurations. Charge pump and built-in resistor string divider modes are selectable. 6COM/3V display is recommended for the resistor string divider mode
-- For supporting a greater number of segments, the 8COM 5V display (charge pump mode) can be selected; for lower display power consumption, the 6COM 3V display (resistor string divider mode) can be selected. Both are hardware-compatible, requiring only software configuration changes.
-- LCD module power consumption is better than 5μA (resistor string divider scheme)

• Other Peripherals
-- High-speed GPIOs supporting interfaces with peripherals at different voltages: 93
-- 10-bit ADC: time-division multiplexed for temperature sensor / battery voltage detection / general-purpose ADC
-- Voltage Detection LVD: detects chip power supply voltage; detects external voltage
-- Two low-power comparators CMP: detect external voltage
-- Extended Timers: 2 x 32-bit timers
-- UART: 6, supporting auto-baud rate, infrared modulation, UART wake-up, and level inversion
-- 7816 Interface: 2
-- I2C: 1
-- SPI: 1
-- Hardware Watchdog
-- Key Interrupts: 8, pin-multiplexed
-- External Interrupts: 8, pin-multiplexed

• Encryption
-- Hardware true random number generator, compliant with the US NIST FIPS 140-2 standard
-- AES128/192/256 hardware encryption, compliant with the FIPS197 standard, supporting ECB/CBC/CTR/GCM/GMAC modes

Block Diagram

The AP8000 universal programmer, independently developed by Acroview Technology, has become a benchmark professional programming solution in the industry. This device supports flexible and adjustable one-to-one and one-to-eight configuration modes, and offers both online and offline working modes. It features dedicated programming solutions particularly developed for storage chips such as eMMC and UFS, comprehensively covering both bare chip offline programming and onboard programming needs for the full range of Renergy chips. The AP8000 employs an innovative modular design consisting of three core components: the main unit, the baseboard, and the adapter socket, which endows the equipment with excellent compatibility and expandability. As a universal programming platform, it not only adapts to various programmable chips on the market but also delivers stable and efficient performance, serving as a core component of the Acroview automated batch programming equipment IPS5800S, efficiently handling large-scale chip programming tasks to meet mass production demands.

The AP8000 main unit features flexible connectivity options, equipped with both USB and NET interfaces, enabling convenient networking of multiple programmers. Through the networking function, users can easily achieve synchronous control of multiple programmers for efficient parallel programming operations. In terms of safety, the main unit has a built-in intelligent safety protection circuit that monitors chip placement status and circuit connections in real-time. Once an abnormality such as reverse chip insertion or short circuit is detected, it will immediately trigger a power-off protection mechanism, safeguarding the safety of both the chips and the programmer. The main unit is internally equipped with a high-speed FPGA chip, significantly enhancing data transmission and processing efficiency to ensure a smooth programming process. To enhance user convenience, an SD card slot is located on the back of the main unit. Users simply need to save the project file generated on a PC to an SD card and insert it into the slot, allowing them to complete file selection, loading, and programming operations using the physical buttons on the programmer, achieving standalone operation independent of a PC. This design not only reduces reliance on computer hardware configurations but also simplifies the work environment setup process, significantly improving operational flexibility.

In terms of expandability and compatibility, the AP8000 adopts a modular combination design of baseboard and adapter board, effectively expanding the functional boundaries of the main unit. Currently, this device supports products from all major semiconductor manufacturers, covering well-known brands such as QUECTEL, BEKEN, elmos, Nation, and HiTrendtech. It supports a wide range of device types, including NAND, NOR, MCU, CPLD, FPGA, EMMC, and is fully compatible with various industry-standard file formats such as Intel Hex, Motorola S, Binary, and POF, providing users with a one-stop, full-scenario chip programming solution.

Company Introduction

About Renergy: Founded in 2008, Renergy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Belling. Renergy focuses on the research and development of chips for measurement, metering, protection, and control within the energy internet signal chain. Its main products are primarily used in smart meters, IoT meters, energy controllers, and other related fields.

About Acroview: Acroview Technology is a national-level specialized and sophisticated "Little Giant" enterprise that researches, develops, produces, and sells semiconductor chip testing and programming equipment. The company is dedicated to empowering customers across the entire industry chain, including Fabless, IDM, OSAT, wafer Fab, and terminal equipment enterprises, through innovative semiconductor testing technologies and solutions. Acroview's pioneering Automatic Burn-In (ABI) system significantly enhances customers' chip burn-in testing efficiency and reduces testing costs per DUT. Simultaneously, Acroview provides customers with equipment products and solutions for various stages, from PSV, CP, FT, BI, SLT, to programming. The company perfectly integrates its leading edge in product technology, system-level expertise, and a global R&D and sales service network to create value, helping customers achieve a leading edge in market competition.