At 3V supply voltage, the new ICs consume just under half the power of Toshiba’s previous products, and realize current consumption on par with the lowest in the industry. Sample shipments start today, with mass production scheduled to start by the end of 2016 for “TC35678FXG” and in early 2017 for the other two ICs.

Adoption of a highly efficient DC-DC converter introduced in earlier products and an original low-power circuit design secures a nearly 46% current reduction and peak current consumption of 3.6 mA at 3V supply voltage in transmitting mode.

Both “TC35678FXG” and “TC35678FSG” incorporate built-in Flash ROM to store user programs and various data in stand-alone operations. Although memory capacity for user programs was only 64 KB in previous products, it is now extended to 100 KB in both ICs, contributing to the expandability of application programs.

The built-in Flash ROM eliminates any need for external EEPROM, previously required for stand-alone operations. This contributes to cost and mounting-area reduction by reducing external parts count.

“TC35678FXG” is a repackaged “TC35678FSG” in a QFN60 package that extends the number of general purpose IO from 16 to 32. It is suitable for equipment that requires a large number of control pins such as keyboards and remote-controllers.

“TC35679FSG” has no built-in Flash ROM and can achieve extremely low current operation by reducing current consumption for access to Flash ROM. It accordingly achieves long operating times for applications powered by small coin batteries. For example, using a CR2032 type coin battery, the new IC can carry out beacon operation for over a year.

The new ICs will facilitate adoption of Bluetooth LE communications for wearable devices for healthcare applications and for high grade small devices that use coin batteries such as sensors and toys, and will support set makers in optimizing product value.