Zilog Z8
Encyclopedia
The Zilog
Z8 is a microcontroller
architecture, originally introduced in 1979, which today also includes the eZ8 Encore!, eZ8 Encore! XP, and eZ8 Encore! MC families.
Signifying features of the architecture are up to 4,096 fast on-chip registers which may be used as accumulators, pointers, or as ordinary RAM
. A 16-bit address space for between 1k and 64k of either OTP
ROM
or Flash memory
are used to store code and constants, and there is also a second 16-bit address space which may be used for large applications.
On chip peripheral
s include A/D converters, SPI
and I²C
channels, IrDA
encoders/decoders etc. There are versions with from 8 up to 80 pins, housed in PDIP, MLF
, SSOP
, SOIC
and LQFP
packages. The eZ8 Encore! series can be programmed and debugged through a single pin serial interface.
The basic architecture, a modified (non-strict) Harvard architecture
, is technically very different from the Zilog Z80
. Despite this, the instruction set
and assembly syntax
are quite similar to other Zilog processors: Load/store operations uses the same LD mnemonic (no MOV or MOVEs), typifying instructions such as DJNZ, are the same, and so on.
A free C compiler and IDE can be downloaded from Zilog's website.
Primary competitors include the somewhat similar Microchip
PIC
family, and all the Intel 8051
descendants. Also more traditional "von Neumann based" single chip microcontroller
s may be regarded as competitors, such as the 6800
/6809
based Motorola 68HC11, the Hitachi H8 family, and Z80-derivatives, such as Toshiba
TLCS-870, to name just a few.
Zilog
Zilog, Inc., previously known as ZiLOG , is a manufacturer of 8-bit and 24-bit microcontrollers, and is most famous for its Intel 8080-compatible Z80 series.-History:...
Z8 is a microcontroller
Microcontroller
A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM...
architecture, originally introduced in 1979, which today also includes the eZ8 Encore!, eZ8 Encore! XP, and eZ8 Encore! MC families.
Signifying features of the architecture are up to 4,096 fast on-chip registers which may be used as accumulators, pointers, or as ordinary RAM
Ram
-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...
. A 16-bit address space for between 1k and 64k of either OTP
Programmable read-only memory
A programmable read-only memory or field programmable read-only memory or one-time programmable non-volatile memory is a form of digital memory where the setting of each bit is locked by a fuse or antifuse. Such PROMs are used to store programs permanently...
ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
or Flash memory
Flash memory
Flash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed from EEPROM and must be erased in fairly large blocks before these can be rewritten with new data...
are used to store code and constants, and there is also a second 16-bit address space which may be used for large applications.
On chip peripheral
Peripheral
A peripheral is a device attached to a host computer, but not part of it, and is more or less dependent on the host. It expands the host's capabilities, but does not form part of the core computer architecture....
s include A/D converters, SPI
Serial Peripheral Interface Bus
The Serial Peripheral Interface Bus or SPI bus is a synchronous serial data link standard named by Motorola that operates in full duplex mode. Devices communicate in master/slave mode where the master device initiates the data frame. Multiple slave devices are allowed with individual slave select ...
and I²C
I²C
I²C is a multi-master serial single-ended computer bus invented by Philips that is used to attach low-speed peripherals to a motherboard, embedded system, cellphone, or other electronic device. Since the mid 1990s, several competitors I²C ("i-squared cee" or "i-two cee"; Inter-Integrated Circuit;...
channels, IrDA
IRDA
IRDA may refer to:* Infrared Data Association, in information and communications technology , a standard for communication between devices over short distances using infrared signals...
encoders/decoders etc. There are versions with from 8 up to 80 pins, housed in PDIP, MLF
MicroLeadFrame
Amkor's MicroLeadFrame is a near CSP plastic encapsulated package with a copper leadframe substrate. This package uses perimeter lands on the bottom of the package to provide electrical contact to the...
, SSOP
Shrink Small-Outline Package
Shrink small-outline package is a microchip package for surface-mount technology. SSOP chips have "gull wing" leads protruding from the two long sides, and a lead spacing of 0.025 inches ....
, SOIC
Small-Outline Integrated Circuit
A small-outline integrated circuit is a surface-mounted integrated circuit package which occupies an area about 30–50% less than an equivalent DIP, with a typical thickness that is 70% less. They are generally available in the same pinouts as their counterpart DIP ICs...
and LQFP
LQFP
A Low-profile Quad Flat Package is a surface mount integrated circuit package format with component leads extending from each of the four sides. Pins are numbered counter-clockwise from the index dot. Spacing between pins can vary; common spacings are 0.4, 0.5, 0.65 and 0.80 mm intervals....
packages. The eZ8 Encore! series can be programmed and debugged through a single pin serial interface.
The basic architecture, a modified (non-strict) Harvard architecture
Harvard architecture
The Harvard architecture is a computer architecture with physically separate storage and signal pathways for instructions and data. The term originated from the Harvard Mark I relay-based computer, which stored instructions on punched tape and data in electro-mechanical counters...
, is technically very different from the Zilog Z80
Zilog Z80
The Zilog Z80 is an 8-bit microprocessor designed by Zilog and sold from July 1976 onwards. It was widely used both in desktop and embedded computer designs as well as for military purposes...
. Despite this, the instruction set
Instruction set
An instruction set, or instruction set architecture , is the part of the computer architecture related to programming, including the native data types, instructions, registers, addressing modes, memory architecture, interrupt and exception handling, and external I/O...
and assembly syntax
Syntax
In linguistics, syntax is the study of the principles and rules for constructing phrases and sentences in natural languages....
are quite similar to other Zilog processors: Load/store operations uses the same LD mnemonic (no MOV or MOVEs), typifying instructions such as DJNZ, are the same, and so on.
A free C compiler and IDE can be downloaded from Zilog's website.
Primary competitors include the somewhat similar Microchip
Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology is an American manufacturer of microcontroller, memory and analog semiconductors. Its products include microcontrollers , Serial EEPROM devices, Serial SRAM devices, KEELOQ devices, radio frequency devices, thermal, power and battery management analog devices, as well as...
PIC
PIC microcontroller
PIC is a family of Harvard architecture microcontrollers made by Microchip Technology, derived from the PIC1650 originally developed by General Instrument's Microelectronics Division...
family, and all the Intel 8051
Intel 8051
The Intel MCS-51 is a Harvard architecture, single chip microcontroller series which was developed by Intel in 1980 for use in embedded systems. Intel's original versions were popular in the 1980s and early 1990s. While Intel no longer manufactures the MCS-51, binary compatible derivatives remain...
descendants. Also more traditional "von Neumann based" single chip microcontroller
Microcontroller
A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM...
s may be regarded as competitors, such as the 6800
Motorola 6800
The 6800 was an 8-bit microprocessor designed and first manufactured by Motorola in 1974. The MC6800 microprocessor was part of the M6800 Microcomputer System that also included serial and parallel interface ICs, RAM, ROM and other support chips...
/6809
Motorola 6809
The Motorola 6809 is an 8-bit microprocessor CPU from Motorola, designed by Terry Ritter and Joel Boney and introduced 1978...
based Motorola 68HC11, the Hitachi H8 family, and Z80-derivatives, such as Toshiba
Toshiba
is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
TLCS-870, to name just a few.
Product line
- ROMless: Models without integrated ROM.
- ROM: Models with integrated ROM.
- BASIC: Models with integrated BASIC interpreter and debugger in ROM.
- OTP: Models with integrated OTP ROMProgrammable read-only memoryA programmable read-only memory or field programmable read-only memory or one-time programmable non-volatile memory is a form of digital memory where the setting of each bit is locked by a fuse or antifuse. Such PROMs are used to store programs permanently...
. - Low Voltage: Working voltage run as low as 2V.
- GP: General purpose microcontroller.
- Encore!: Integrated flash-based memory.
- Encore! XP: Encore! with sensors.
- Encore! MC (Motor Control): Motor control applications.