Embedded Processor Watch

Editor: Jim Turley

In This Issue:

• Lexra Updates Synthesizable MIPS Core
• NEC Low-Cost 8-Bit Microcontrollers Drop Below $1.00
• Industry Resources: Embedded Systems Conference in Chicago
• Industry Resources: How Cool Are Your Chips?
• New Embedded IC Announcements

Lexra Updates Synthesizable MIPS Core

Renegade processor-core supplier Lexra (http://www.lexra.com) has improved its synthesizable MIPS-compatible CPU core, pushing the clock speed past 150 MHz, adding multiply-accumulate, and including code compression. The new LX4180 core should be available for customer designs within a few months.

The LX4180 is similar to its predecessor, the LX4080, but with the addition of a 16-bit hardware multiply-accumulate (MAC) function for DSP-like processing. The 4180 also includes the MIPS-16 code-compression hardware, allowing programmers to use 16-bit shorthand instructions for many functions. MIPS-16 was announced at Microprocessor Forum in 1996, and has since appeared in a handful of LSI Logic and Toshiba chips, among others. In a 0.25-micron process, Lexra expects the LX4180 will measure 2.75 mm2 and run at 155 MHz.

Lexra has been a one-trick pony since it rolled out its first CPU core early in 1998 see Embedded Processor Watch #10). The LXR-4080, as it was called, implemented most of the MIPS-I instruction set and has been modestly successful, appearing in a variety of digital consumer applications (including a doll). After dodging a legal bullet fired by MIPS Technologies (see Embedded Processor Watch #17), the company has subtly altered its marketing material and product nomenclature.

Lexra parallels ARC Cores (http://www.risccores.com) in choosing to license synthesizable RTL models directly to engineers, rather than licensing physical layouts through semiconductor partners. Lexra's way is potentially less expensive for the customer, reaching a whole new class of aspiring ASIC designers that don't have the wherewithal for an officially licensed core. Traditional core vendors MIPS and ARM have since made plans to license synthesizable versions of their cores, indicating the inevitable direction CPU licensing is taking.

NEC Low-Cost 8-Bit Microcontrollers Drop Below $1.00

NEC has launched a new series of low-cost 8-bit microcontrollers based on its existing K0 family, with prices starting below $1 in 10,000-unit quantities. The four new K0S chips are compatible with the K0 family but come in smaller packages and offer fewer peripherals.

The four new chips, in the uPD7891xx series, all run at 5 MHz with supply voltages from 1.8 V to 5.5 V and industrial temperature ranges. The smallest chip in the family has 2K of ROM, 256 bytes of RAM, an 8x8- bit multiplier, 8-bit A/D converter, and 8/16-bit timers. The (comparatively) more expensive parts have 16K or more of ROM, 128 bytes of EEPROM, and a "smart memory bus." The less-expensive parts are available now; other devices will begin sampling mid-year.

Industry Resources: Embedded Systems Conference in Chicago

The tricatamenial Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) recurs in Chicago this spring, sprawling across the first week of March. As before, the conference will include exhibits, tutorial sessions, and all-day workshops dedicated to various aspects of embedded software, tools, development systems, and hardware. This year's keynote address will be given by Bjarne Stroustrup, designer and original implementer of the C++ programming language. Other talks will cover RTOS design, object modeling, Windows CE drivers, digital signal processing, state machines, security, and threads. A certain Embedded Processor Watch editor will also be in evidence.

Registration fees start at $425 for a single day, to $1,195 for a full- conference package. Admission to the exhibit hall is free. For more information, or to register, contact Miller Freeman (San Francisco) at 800.789.2223 or visit http://www.embedded.com.

Industry Resources: How Cool Are Your Chips?

Cool Chips II, the second annual Japanese symposium on low-power microprocessors, will be held in Kyoto April 26 and 27. The program committee is now soliciting proposals for the conference. Contributions can be in the area of RISC or CISC microprocessors, media processors, FPUs, and other chips.

To submit a paper, or for more information, aim your browser toward http://www.coolchips.org/CoolII/CFC99.html or write to Dr. Makoto Ikeda at mailto:cool@coolchips.org.

New Embedded IC Announcements

SX18AC100, SX28AC100 (Scenix) SX-series microcontrollers are compatible with Microchip PIC family but run at 100 MHz, allowing software emulation of many peripheral devices. Price: $5/100; Samples: Now; Production: 1Q99; Call Scenix at 408.327.8888.

PIC16F627, PIC16F628 (Microchip) Flash-based microcontrollers run at 4 MHz, with 1K ('27) or 2K ('28) of flash memory, 224 bytes of RAM, 128 bytes EEPROM. Price: $3.24/1,000; Samples: Now; Production: 1Q99; Call Microchip at 602.786.7668.

PIC16F876, PIC16F877 (Microchip) Microcontrollers have 10-bit A/D converter, 2.0-V operating supply, pin-compatibility among flash-, EPROM-, and ROM-based versions. Price: $7.97/1,000; Samples: Now; Production: 1Q99; Call Microchip at 602.786.7668.

CS-5166 (Cherry Semiconductor) Synchronous 5-bit NFET CPU buck controller manages power for Pentium II motherboards; with adjustable hiccup mode protection. Price: $1.68/10,000; Production: Now; Call Cherry at 800.272.3601.

CS-5132 (Cherry Semiconductor) Dual-output CPU buck controller has both synchronous and nonsynchronous switcher; replaces linear regulator in Pentium II boards. Price: $2.01/10,000; Production: Now; Call Cherry at 800.272.3601.

CS51313 (Cherry Semiconductor) Synchronous CPU buck controller generates different supply voltages from a single switching regulator; with overvoltage and hiccup protection. Price: $1.35/10,000; Production: Now; Call Cherry at 800.272.3601.