WCH has recently launched a new ultra-low-cost RISCV microcontroller, CH32V003. It costs only 10 Cents in volume. It runs at 48Mhz and has 16KB Flash and 2KB RAM and other general-purpose interfaces (GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART) available on most microcontrollers.

The MCU has immense potential in various cost-sensitive applications, especially those with high-volume demands. It can be an ideal solution for tasks requiring low computational power or IO expansion. With its versatility, the MCU opens up opportunities for efficient resource utilization and task isolation from the main MCU.

For example, if you are short on IO but LCDs and keys have to be interfaced, this MCU can easily take up that task, and data can be transferred from the main MCU via UART or I2C.

Here are some reasons why engineers should pay attention to the CH32V003:

• The RISC-V architecture is gaining popularity and is one of the most affordable RISC-V microcontrollers available.
• The MCU has a wide range of peripherals, making it suitable for various cost-sensitive applications.
• The MCU is easy to use and program, and fairly good support is available from the manufacturer.
• There is a growing community of developers using the RISCV-based MCUs, and several resources are available online to help engineers get started

Useful Link Products CAPUF

System Block Diagram:

Features:

1. 32-bit RISCV 2A Core
2. Up to 48MHz system frequency
3. 2KB SRAM, 16KB Flash
4. Upto 18 I/O ports, interrupt is available on all pins
5. 64-bit chip unique ID
6. Serial 1-Wire Debug Interface
7. Multiple low power modes: sleep, standby

Specifications:

1. CPU: RISC-V 2A, 32-bit architecture
2. Maximum Frequency: Up to 48 MHz
3. Memory: 2 KB SRAM, 16 KB Flash
4. Peripherals:
   • DMA Controller: 1x
   • OpAmp Comparators: 1x
   • ADC: 10-bit resolution
   • Timers:
     • Advanced Timer: 1x 16-bit
     • General-Purpose Timer: 1x 16-bit
   • Watchdog Timers: 2x
   • System Time Base Timer: 1x 32-bit
5. I/O and Interrupts:
   • Up to 18 I/O ports, interrupt available on all pins
6. Security:
   • 64-bit Chip Unique ID
   • Serial 1-Wire Debug Interface
7. Power Management:
   • Multiple Low Power Modes: Sleep, Standby
   • Supply Voltage: 3.3V / 5V
   • Power-On/Power-Off Reset
   • Programmable Voltage Detector
8. Package Form: TSSOP20, QFN20, SOP16, SOP8
9. Communication Interfaces:
   • USART
   • I2C
   • SPI

Package Includes:

1 x CAPUF WCH CH32V003 Evaluation Kit