μC eliminates off board EEPROM with 'virtual-EEPROM' routines

摘要

COP8flash μCs let you allocate some of their internal flash memory as a nonvolatile storage space. This line of flash μCs accomplishes this task by accessing some memory functions built into the boot ROM. In addition to some of these memory functions, the COP8flash μC can initiate and control in-system programming under software. You can use "virtual EEPROM," although not truly EEPROM, to mimic the behavior of the storage space of an offboard EEPROM. Note that the flash inside the COP8flash μC is not just renamed E2. This fact has significant implications because the flash μC is rated for 100,000 erase/ write cycles and 100-year data retention.