Microchip Technology has announced a family of the world's smallest 8-bit microcontrollers with an integrated IEEE 802.3-compliant Ethernet communications peripheral. The PIC18F97J60 family consists of nine MCUs that are optimized for embedded applications, and have an on-chip Medium Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer Device (PHY). By integrating a 10BASE-T Ethernet controller onto a 10 MIPS PIC18 microcontroller with up to 128 Kbytes of Flash program memory, Microchip is providing embedded systems designers with a single-chip remote-communication solution for a wide range of applications.

Due to Microchip's integration of its PIC18 high-end 8-bit microcontroller with a complete Ethernet controller, including MAC, PHY and transmit/receive RAM buffer, designers can now have network connectivity in 64- to 100-pin packages that is one of the most cost-effective and easiest to use Ethernet solutions. Microchip also offers a free TCP/IP software stack to reduce development time.

Key features for all nine members of the PIC18F97J60 8-bit microcontroller family include a dedicated 8-Kbyte Ethernet Buffer, as well as 128 Kbytes of Flash and 4 Kbytes SRAM.

The family members are available for sampling and volume production in 64-, 80- and 100-pin TQFP, all RoHS-compliant. Prices start at $4.24 each in 10,000-unit quantities.

Microchip Technology has announced the four-member PIC18F4321 8-bit microcontroller family with advanced peripherals, low pin count, small-footprint package options and low power consumption via nanoWatt Technology. (Ahh, creative marketing again stretching the truth, but this time only by a factor 1000, not 1 000 000 as in Atmel's case).

This new family is intended for designs which require a high-performance 8-bit microcontroller with advanced peripherals, but don't require much memory. The PIC18F4321 provides two serial ports for expanded connectivity, a high-speed 13-channel, 10-bit ADC with auto acquisitioning for faster measurements and lower code overhead. The PIC18F4321 maintains cost-effective pricing by including only 4 or 8 Kbytes of program memory.

The PIC18F4321/4221/2321/2221 microcontrollers are available now for general sampling and volume production. The PIC18F4321/4221 come in 44-pin QFN or TQFP and 40-pin PDIP packages, and the PIC18F2321/2221 are available in 28-pin QFN, SOIC, SPDIP and SSOP packages, all of which are RoHS-compliant. Prices start at $2.08 each in 10,000-unit quantities.

Microchip Technology has announced the four-member PIC18F4523 family, which is their first family of high-end 8-bit Flash microcontrollers to include a high-speed 12-bit ADC peripheral on chip. Additionally, this microcontroller family includes nanoWatt Technology features, which provide design engineers with multiple options for effectively managing power consumption and extending battery life.

Additional key features of the PIC18F4523 microcontroller family include 10 MIPS performance, 32 or 16 Kbytes of Enhanced Flash program memory, 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory, up to 1536 bytes of RAM, 2 analog comparators with input multiplexing, up to two Capture/Compare/PWM modules, a master I2C and SPI communication module, an enhanced USART module with RS-485/RS-232/LIN support, one 8-bit and three 16-bit timers, and an internal oscillator 32 MHz to 31 kHz.

The PIC18F4523/4423/2523/2423 microcontrollers are available now for general sampling and volume production. The PIC18F4523/4423 come in 44-pin QFN or TQFP and 40-pin PDIP packages, and the PIC182523/2423 are available in 28-pin QFN, SOIC and SPDIP packages, all of which are RoHS-compliant. Prices start at $3.49 each in 10,000-unit quantities.

NXP Semiconductors (formerly Philips Semiconductors), announced the industry's first ARM7-based microcontroller series with dual high-speed buses for simultaneous communications operations. The NXP LPC2300 and LPC2400 are the only ARM7 MCUs with two ARM high-speed buses (AHB) enabling simultaneous operation of high-bandwidth peripherals such as Ethernet, USB On-The-Go (OTG), USB Host, CAN, SDRAM and on-chip Flash. The NXP LPC2400 is also the only ARM7 MCU with two-port USB Host capability permitting new advances for multiple communications applications.

The dual AHB buses and three independent Direct Memory Access engines allow multiple high-bandwidth peripherals to operate at the same time without overwhelming the bus, and improve the worst case by over 50 percent. This makes the NXP LPC2300 and LPC2400 ideal for a wide range of high-performance communications applications such as industrial networking, infotainment, consumer and medical devices, and point-of-sale equipment. The NXP LPC2300 and LPC2400 are also the first ARM7 MCUs with a real-time clock (RTC) with 2KB of battery back-up SRAM, which allows the RTC to continue running even when the chip's power is shut down.

The large array of peripherals available on both the LPC2300 and LPC2400 include two AHB buses, Ethernet, two CAN controllers, four UARTs, SPI, SSP, three I2C buses, I2S, RTC, ADC/DAC and SD/MMC Card interface. The NXP LPC2400 also includes USB OTG integrated with two-port host capability, and external interfaces to SDRAM and NOR Flash.

The NXP LPC2300 microcontroller is available immediately. The NXP LPC2400 microcontroller will be available in November 2006.

STMicroelectronics has announced a new series of 8-bit microcontrollers providing both flexibility and reliability for a wide variety of cost-sensitive car body applications including wipers, climate control, door locking, sunroof, and window lift.

The ST7FL family features an embedded EEPROM memory for parameter storage, a code storage area from 1.5 to 8 Kbytes, and an internal RC oscillator. The contents of the programmable memory can be secured against unauthorized copying by activating a read-out protection mechanism.

Some devices within the family add embedded peripherals such as a Local Interconnect Network Serial Communication Interface (LINSCI) which enables the smooth implementation of small and cost-effective Local Interconnect Network (LIN) solutions in the automotive sector. The LIN interface, with its auto-synchronization feature, is able to work using an internal RC oscillator as a clock source, thus reducing the need for external components.

Offered in the 16- and 20-pin SO and 20-pin QFN lead-free packages, the ST7FL family is in production now. In 10,000-unit quantities, the ST7FL39, ST7FL19, and ST7FL09 cost $1.00, $0.85, and $0.70 respectively.

STMicroelectronics has announced the SN250, a new single-chip ZigBee wireless networking solution which integrates a 2.4GHz IEEE 802.15.4-compliant radio transceiver and a 16-bit microprocessor with EmberZNet software stack. The power-efficient chip includes comprehensive, hardware-supported, network-level debugging features for easy application development.

The new chip's embedded EmberZNet software from Ember Corporation is a field-upgradeable ZigBee-compliant stack.

The integrated transceiver of the SN250 provides performance above and beyond those specified in IEEE 802.15.4. A transmission (TX) Boost mode offers up to 5dBm increase in output power to deliver an increased communication range. Receiver (RX) sensitivity in Boost mode is -98dBm. A flexible antenna interface enables easy antenna connection, with or without an external power amplifier.

The power-efficient 16-bit RISC-core processor includes 128 kBytes of embedded Flash and 5 kBytes of SRAM, plus a hardware encryption engine (AES 128) with true random number generator. Peripherals include two serial controllers with DMA (I2C master, SPI master/slave, and UART), two 16-bit all-purpose timers, one 16-bit sleep timer, a watchdog timer, and power-on-reset circuitry.

ZigBee technology differs from other wireless networking solutions in addressing specifically the requirements of remote sensing and control systems. It enables the implementation of broad-based wireless mesh networks that are able to run for years on inexpensive primary batteries, making it a viable alternative to costly hard-wired systems. The standards-based, lower-cost technology is especially suited to building automation, for complete lighting, ventilation, and climate-control systems; and for reducing installation costs for industrial control and sensor applications.

The SN250 is available in sample quantities now, in a 7mm x 7mm QFN48 package, with volume production planned for later this month. It is priced at $5.00 in volumes of 5,000 units.

STMicroelectronics has extended its STR7 range of 32-bit microcontrollers based on the ARM7TDMI-S core with the introduction of the STR750F family. The first general-purpose ARM7 Flash microcontrollers to support full-spec operation at both 3.3V and 5V, the new family delivers 54 MIPS (at 60MHz) performance while providing outstanding low-power modes down to 12μA in STOP or 10μA in STANDBY modes, making it ideal for battery-operated applications. The ability to operate from either 3.3V or 5V gives maximum flexibility in electrically noisy environments without additional costs.

The peripheral set of the STR7 range is further enhanced in the STR750 family by new features including a backup clock that starts operating if the main clock fails, a fast startup capability that allows the device to begin executing code in only 55μs instead of the 1ms typically required for devices using a quartz crystal, an Automatic Wake Up (AWU) capability that removes the need for external signals or components to wake up from low-power STOP or STANDBY modes, and three flexible and powerful 16-bit timers and a PWM timer that includes 3-phase motor control features that simplify the implementation of complex motor control including vector control drive applications. Serial communications include up to three high-speed (2Mb/s) UARTs with support for the LIN protocol, and a serial memory interface for glueless connection to external serial Flash memory. Moreover, the STR750 family also includes new mechanisms to allow bit manipulation and masks to protect I/O pins.

The initial family comprises 30 different derivatives, with from 64K up to 256KB of Flash plus an additional 16K bank of Read-While-Write Flash for EEPROM emulation. The embedded Flash memory offers excellent retention characteristics, with data retention guaranteed up to 20 years at 85°C. Devices include up to eight communication peripherals including USB and CAN, as well as a 4-channel DMA controller that significantly reduces CPU loading and a fast 10-bit ADC. Some members of the new family are specified over an extended temperature range of -40°C to +105°C.

The enhanced security features of the STR750F family, such as the backup clock, make these new devices particularly suitable for alarm system control panels, motor control, data loggers, modem, printers/scanners, vending machines, and a wide range of other embedded applications.

The devices are available in TQFP64 /BGA64 and TQFP100/BGA100 packages. Prices for 10,000-unit quantities range from $3.60 each for the STR755FR0T6 (64K Flash, 64-pin package) to $6.50 each for the STR750FV2T6 (256K Flash, 100 pins, USB, CAN).

Toshiba Corporation has developed a new 8-bit microcontroller core, designated TLCS-870/C1. This new core is capable of processing one instruction cycle in a single clock cycle, enabling faster processing at lower frequencies, reduced noise and lower power consumption compared with Toshiba's previous 8-bit core. Its large-capacity address space is expandable to 128 Kbytes.

The core architecture was modified from the previous TLCS-870/C architecture to achieve the fast processing of one instruction cycle in a single clock cycle. The result was up to a four-fold increase in performance at the same clock frequency, compared with existing Toshiba 8-bit MCUs.

Part of the IC design used synchronous RTL design instead of multiphase-clock design based on circuit diagrams.

The TLCS-870/C1 core is binary compatible with previous Toshiba 8-bit MCUs; thus, existing software resources can be used.

Toshiba anticipates releasing devices based on the new core later this year.

Toshiba America Electronic Components has announced the broadening of its embedded Flash microcontroller product line with the addition of two new 16-bit MCUs and a new 32-bit MCU based on SuperFlash technology.

The low-voltage, low-power consuming TMP91FW40FG 16-bit MCU combines 128 Kbytes of Flash memory and 4 Kbytes of RAM with an anti-hypertensive-type LCD driver that can directly drive from 8 to 40 segments x 4 commons. The high-speed MCU is based on Toshiba's ultra-low-power TLCS-900/L1 processor core and operates with voltages between 2.2V and 3.6V. The minimum instruction execution time is only 148ns at 27MHz. Overall power consumption is further reduced by a dual clock and three standby modes, including a programmable idle option. It also offers an integrated 4-channel 10-bit ADC, a 4-channel 8-bit timer, a 3-channel 16-bit timer, and a real-time clock with a calendar function. I/O functions include a 4-channel SIO/UART and 61 I/O ports. Packaging is a 100-pin LQFP with dimensions of 14mm x 14mm at 0.50mm pitch. A mask ROM version (TMP91CW40FG) is also available.

The TMP91FW60FG/DFG 16-bit MCU combines 128 Kbytes of Flash memory and 8 Kbytes of RAM. This low-power MCU is based on Toshiba's TLCS-900/L1 processor core, and has operating voltage of 4.5V to 5.5V and a minimum instruction execution time of 200ns at 20MHz. It also provides an integrated 16-channel 10-bit ADC, a 6-channel 8-bit timer, a 5-channel 16-bit timer and a real-time counter. I/O functions include a 3-channel SIO/UART, 2-channel I2C/SIO and 83 I/O ports. As well, it incorporates 6 banks of program-patch logic. Packaging options consist of a 100-pin LQFP with dimensions of 14mm x 14mm at 0.50mm pitch (TMP91FW60FG) or a 100-pin QFP with dimensions of 14mm x 20mm at 0.65mm pitch (TMP91FW60DFG). A mask ROM version (TMP91CW60FG/DFG) is also available.

The TMP92FD23AFG/ADFG 32-bit MCU combines 512 Kbytes of Flash memory and 32 Kbytes of RAM. The high-speed, high-performance MCU is based on Toshiba's TLCS-900/H1 processor core and operates with voltages between 3.0V and 3.6V. The minimum instruction execution time is only 50ns at 20MHz. It also offers an integrated 12-channel 10-bit ADC, a 6-channel 8-bit timer, a 2-channel 16-bit timer and a real-time counter. I/O functions include a 3-channel SIO/UART (IrDA version 1.0 interface mode selectable), a 2-channel I2C interface, and 84 I/O ports. Additional on-board memory includes 4 Kbytes of mask ROM for booting; external memory expansion to 16 Mbytes is fully supported. Packaging options consist of a 100-pin P-LQFP with dimensions of 14mm x 14mm at 0.50mm pitch (TMP92FD23AFG) or a 100-pin P-QFP with dimensions of 14mm x 20mm at 0.65mm pitch (TMP92FD23ADFG). A mask ROM version (TMP92CY23FG/DFG) is equipped with 256 Kbytes of ROM and 16 Kbytes of RAM and has a built-in ROM correction function.

Toshiba's SuperFlash implementation can be programmed much faster than many alternative Flash technologies. The availability of three distinct programming modes -- parallel, serial PROM, and in-system programming (ISP) -- provides pre- and post-production programming flexibility.

Samples of all of these devices are available now and they are in volume production. TMP91FW40FG is priced at $6.00 in 10,000-unit quantities; TMP91FW60FG is priced at 6.00 in 10,000-unit quantities; and TMP92FD23AFG is priced at $9.00 in 10,000-unit quantities.

ZiLOG has officially unveiled its first 16-bit product, the ZNEO Z16F family of Flash microcontrollers. Based on their new ZNEO 16-bit CPU core, which itself was designed to meet the continuing demand for faster and more code-efficient microcontrollers, the ZNEO MCU targets specific markets such as high-end motor control and domestic security applications. ZiLOG also plans to introduce a 32-bit ARM9-based MCU later this year.

Available immediately, the ZNEO delivers optimized performance and efficiency with an external bus -- 24-bit address and 16-bit data. The ZNEO Z16F CPU instruction set has been optimized for near single-cycle instructions yielding up to 20 MIPS at 20MHz, combined with large zero wait state internal Flash, powerful math functions, embedded 32x32 multiply/64x32 divide operations, 16-bit bus widths and external 16-bit bus, and a 32-bit ALU supporting 8-, 16-, and 32-bit operations. The compiler-friendly instruction set supports multibyte push/pop framer pointer manipulation so that code generation is very compact. A rich array of peripherals and analog features make this microcontroller suitable for a large number of applications from security panels to motor control.

All ZNEO devices are RoHS compliant and are available for standard, extended and automotive temperature ranges. The family contains 32KB, 64KB and 128KB of internal Flash memory accessed by the CPU at 16 bits at a time, thus improving processor throughput. Up to 4KB of internal RAM provides easy storage of data, variables and stack operations.

Additional features of ZNEO Z16F Series MCU include up to twelve channels 10-bit ADC, 4-channel DMA controller supports internal or external DMA requests, two full-duplex 9-bit UARTs with support for LIN and IrDA, I2C master-slave controller and Enhanced Serial Peripheral Interface controller, and integrated Operational Amplifier, Analog Comparator and Internal Precision Oscillator. New instructions improve execution efficiency for code developed using higher-level programming languages, including C language.

Pricing for the ZNEO Z16F series ranges from $6.00 to $8.00 at 500-unit quantities depending on memory size and peripheral configuration.

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