EDN — 05.23.96 Microprocessors

Microprocessors: May 23, 1996

32-bit RISC controller integrates flash memory.

The V853 32-bit RISC microcontroller is designed for embedded applications, ranging from digital cellular phones to automotive control. The device comes in flash EEPROM (µPD70F3003) and mask ROM (µPD-703003) versions, both with 128 kbytes of ROM and 4 kbytes of RAM. Based on a V850 core, the V853 offers an array of on-chip peripherals. The 5V microcontroller executes 38 MIPS at 33 MHz, consuming 350 mW when executed from internal memory. The five-stage pipeline of the V850 core enables single-cycle execution as fast as 30 nsec. The flash version costs $50 (sample qty); the mask ROM part costs $35 (sample qty). NEC Electronics Inc, Mountain View, CA. (800) 366-9782.

8-bit µC takes 2.0V supply.

Offered in die form for chip-on-board designs, the SMC88316 8-bit µC targets power-sensitive applications that require small or medium LCDs. The device operates from a 2.0V supply and consumes 1 to 3 µA (with its counters running). In sleep mode, the SMC88316 draws 500 nA. The µC runs at 4.19 MHz at 2.4V and 8.2 MHz at 3.5V. Instruction execution time is 0.48 µsec at 3.0V. An on-chip, dot-matrix LCD controller drives displays of up to 10 characters by four lines. In addition to bare die, the SMC88316 also comes in a 160-pin QFP. S-MOS Systems Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 922-0200.

Processors upgrade 486 and Pentium PCs.

The SpeedStack family of µPs lets you enhance the performance and increase the clock speed of existing 486- and Pentium-based computers. The SpeedStack I upgrades 60- and 66-MHz Pentium systems to 100, 120, and 133 MHz; the SpeedStack II upgrades 486SX/DX/DX2 systems to 586 100-, 120-, and 133-MHz systems; and the SpeedStack III upgrades 486SX/DX/ DX2 to 486DX4 75-, 100-, and 120-MHz. All three devices are compatible with Windows 95 and OS/2 Warp and perform multimedia, full-motion-video imaging processing. Single-unit pricing for the SpeedStack I, II, and III is $795, $395, and $350, respectively. Alpha Systems Lab, Irvine, CA. (714) 622-0688.

64-bit RISC processor hits 275 MHz.

Able to run under Unix and Windows NT, a 275-MHz version of the R10000 MIPS RISC µP boasts performance ratings of 12 SPECint95 and 24 SPECfp95. The 64-bit processor, designated the V_R10000, is optimized for demanding technical and database performance, significantly increasing performance of applications developed for the R8000, R4000, and R3000 family of processors. The four-way, superscalar µP fetches four instructions and issues up to five instructions per cycle. An on-chip primary cache gives you 32 kbytes for storing instructions and 32 kbytes for storing data. MIPS Technologies Inc, Mountain View, CA. (415) 933-2573.

32-bit RISC processor executes 45 MIPS.

The SH7702, a third-generation 32-bit RISC engine, performs up to 45 MIPS at a power efficiency of 90 MIPS/W. The 3.3V device comes with an on-chip, 32-bit multiplier-accumulate unit, a 2-kbyte unified cache memory, a memory-management unit, a serial communications interface, and a PCMCIA interface. With a 45-MHz clock, the SH7702 dissipates <500 mW in normal operating mode. Housed in a 120-pin TQFP, the SH7702 costs $30 (25,000). Hitachi America Ltd, Semiconductor and IC Division, Brisbane, CA. (800) 285-1601, ext 27.

Alpha 21164 processor exceeds 11 SPECint95 and 15 SPECfp95.

Now manufactured in 0.35-µm CMOS, the Alpha 21164 µP yields higher clock speeds, smaller dice, and lower power dissipation than previous versions. The device is offered in 366- and 400-MHz versions, achieving respective SPECint95 and SPECfp95 ratings of 10.6 and 14.8 for the 366-MHz version and 11.7 and 15.9 for the 400-MHz part. The 0.35-µm, four-layer-metal CMOS process also results in a power dissipation of only 20W at 366 MHz. The RISC-based Alpha 21164 chip costs $1602 at 366 MHz and $1913 at 400 MHz (1000). Digital Equipment Corp, Hudson, MA. (800) 332-2717.