Embedded Processor Watch

Editor: Jim Turley

In This Issue:

• StrongARM-1100 Takes Companion to Jupiter
• Jupiter II: NEC VR4121 Ups Speed to 166 MHz
• MIPS Technologies Says Lexra "R" Not Us
• HP Grabs ARM License
• Industry Resources: Microsoft Newsletter
• Industry Resources: Embedded Forum Starts Thursday
• New Embedded IC Announcements

StrongARM-1100 Takes Companion to Jupiter

The already highly integrated StrongARM-1100 device (see Microprocessor Report 9/15/97, p. 1) now has a companion chip, the SA-1101. The new device adds to--and sometimes duplicates--peripheral functions on the SA-1100 to make it suitable for Windows CE Professional (aka Jupiter- class) subnotebook computers. The pair is already being used in HP's new device, announced very recently.

The SA-1101 adds a video-output port that complements the SA-1100's built-in color-LCD controller and allows Jupiter machines to drive two different displays simultaneously. The new companion part also adds PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports, a parallel port, and a USB host controller (the SA-1100 has a USB slave port). Finally, the SA-1101 replaces the SA-1100's PCMCIA (PC Card) port with a slightly more complete implementation that requires less support logic.

The new SA-1101 is built on the same Hudson semiconductor line as the other StrongARM chips Intel acquired form Digital Semiconductor. The SA- 1101 was partially complete at the time of the acquisition; Intel personnel simply finished the work. The chip is available immediately, and sells for $21 in 10,000-unit quantities.

Jupiter II: NEC VR4121 Ups Speed to 166 MHz

Not to be outdone, NEC has also announced a new processor and its companion chip, also for Jupiter-class devices. The new VR4121 is a 166- MHz MIPS chip similar to NEC's existing VR4111 Windows CE processor. The VR4121 has the same caches, at 16K and 8K, but more I/O, including an SDRAM controller and a full keyboard interface. Like the VR4111, the VR4121 includes A/D and D/A circuitry, but not an LCD controller.

That's where the VRC4171A companion chip comes in. The second part handles color LCD and PCMCIA duties. Both it and the processor run on 3.3 V and consume about 300 mW, according to NEC. The two will sell for $25 and $9, respectively, in 10,000-unit quantities when they start production in 1Q99.

The new VR4121 becomes NEC's new pocket rocket, increasing speed to something more in line with the Philips 31700, which has held the portable speed lead for some months and appears in the Nino 300 and Velo 500 portable Windows CE devices. The additional speed is helpful for improving Windows CE performance, of course, but also mandatory for adding features like "soft" 56K modems and speech recognition.

MIPS Technologies Says Lexra "R" Not Us

The lawsuit between MIPS Technologies and Lexra Computing Engines (see Embedded Processor Watch #10) has been amicably settled, according to both sides. The two have signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines the conditions of the settlement. Namely, that Lexra must attribute ownership of the MIPS trademark, stop using the phrase "MIPS- compatible," and explicitly state that its core does not support unaligned loads and stores. In a bizarre twist, MIPS demanded that the letter R be stricken from Lexra's part numbers. Henceforth, the LXR-4080 shall be the LX-4080. Lexra can now expect a suit from Lexus.

HP Grabs ARM License

Answering the question, Who's left to license ARM?, Hewlett-Packard has stepped up to the plate to have a swing at everybody's favorite microprocessor core. HP uses the StrongARM-1100 chip in its new Jupiter- class subnotebook computer (see earlier item), but that is not the reason for the license. HP has licensed only the ARM7 core, for use in an unnamed variety of application-specific parts for HP's own portable, networking, and peripherals products.

Industry Resources: Microsoft Newsletter

Find out which way Microsoft is heading by reading "Directions on Microsoft," a monthly newsletter put out by Redmond Communications ("... in no way affiliated or endorsed by Microsoft Corporation"). A $595 annual subscription gets you a dozen 24-page issues covering software releases, upcoming products, development tools, desktop applications, and legal entanglements.

For more information, or to subscribe, contact Redmond Communications (Redmond, Wash.) at 425.882.3396, or point your copy of Internet Explorer to http://www.redcomm.com.

Industry Resources: Embedded Forum Starts Thursday

The annual Embedded Processor Forum starts this Thursday, October 15, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose (Calif.). Its older sister show, the Microprocessor Forum, has already begun its 11th annual run this week. Ten new 32-bit and 64-bit embedded microprocessors will make their debut at the Embedded Processor Forum, including new chips from IBM, Motorola, ARM, Hitachi, and Siemens.

For more information on the Forum, or to register, call MicroDesign Resources at 707.824.4004 or visit http://www.MDRonline.com/forum.

New Embedded IC Announcements

HM624100H (Hitachi) Static RAM has 4-Mbit capacity, organized as 1Mx4, with 15-ns access time; also available in 4Mx1, 512Kx8, and 256Kx16 organization. Price: $27/1,000; Production: Now; Call Hitachi at 800.285.1601.

DS2436 (Dallas Semi) Battery-monitoring and -identification chip has a 10-bit A/D converter, temperature sensor, and 256 bits of nonvolatile memory. Price: $4.10/1,000; Production: Now; Call Dallas Semi at 972.371.4448.

IDT72Vxx (IDT) FIFO memories operate from 3.3-V supply at 100 MHz, with up to 1-Mbit density in x9 and x18 organizations; access times to 6.5 ns. Price: $9.70/10,000; Production: Now; Call IDT at 800.345.7015.

TLV246x (TI) Low-voltage, single-supply voltage regulators offer single, dual, and quad outputs, with or without shutdown; in SOT-23 and other packages. Price: $0.72/1,000; Production: Now; Call TI at 800.477.8924.

TPA1x2 (TI) Audio power amplifiers for headphones have 150-mW output power, stereo outputs, and small 8-pin packages. Price: $0.65/1,000; Production: Now; Call TI at 800.477.8924.

MCRF250 (Microchip) Radio-frequency identification chip is passive 125- kHz transmitter with anticollision feature and contactless field programming. Price: $0.70/10,000; Production: Now; Call Microchip at 602.786.7286.

L64021C (LSI Logic ) DVD decoder chip can output DTS surround data streams using licensed technology; 24-bit, 96-kHz audio, 256-color on- screen display. Price: $40/25,000; Production: Now; Call LSI Logic at 800.574.4286.

ZPSD611E1V-25J (WSI) Support chip combines 2,500 gates of PLD, 128K of EPROM, 512 bytes of SRAM, and a programmable microprocessor interface. Price: $5.15/10,000; Production: Now; Call WSI at 415.656.5400.