NEC Launches 32-Bit RISC Microcontroller for Mobile Applications

Here's a chip that may hold some interest even for those of you who aren't involved in embedded systems programming. NEC just told us about its V850ES/SA2 and SA3 microcontrollers, the newest additions to its V850 family of 32-bit, single-chip RISC microcontrollers. NEC says these new devices are the first to use the V850ES core and are optimized for low-power, battery-operated portable and handheld applications such as two-way radios and audio players. NEC also plans to expand the V850 family product line-up by providing internal peripheral functions tailored for specific applications. The new products feature a low operating voltage (min. 2.2 volts) and power consumption of only 30 megawatts (mW) at 2.5 volts. While maintaining a performance of 21 MIPS at 17 MHz, these devices provide a performance/power ratio of 700 MIPS per watt. They have 256 kBytes (KB) of flash memory and can be reprogrammed from a single power supply. The V850ES/SA2 and V850ES/SA3 also include 256 kB of ROM and 16 kB of RAM. The V850ES/SA2 and V850ES/SA3 are available in both mask ROM (uPD703201 and uPD703204, respectively) and flash PROM (uPD70F3201 and uPD70F3204, respectively) versions. The V850ES/SA2 uses a 100-pin plastic LQFP (14x14 mm, pin pitch of 0.5 mm), and the V850ES/SA3 uses a 121-pin plastic FBGA (12x12 mm, ball pitch of 0.8 mm). These small packages can help minimize the size of mobile products. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Availability of the flash memory products, the uPD70F3201 and uPD70F3204, is scheduled for Q4 2001. Pricing is anticipated at $13.50 and $15, respectively, in 10K volumes. The mask versions (uPD703201 and uPD703204) will be available in Q2 2002 for $6.70 and $8.50, respectively, in 10K volumes. It's been a slow few days in the news thanks to IDF wrapping up, followed by the Labor Day holiday. While I usually try not to cover too much silicon if there's more hardware that appeals to the majority of you, I haven't gotten a ton of complaints about covering chips. Remember that your feedback (along with my educated guesses and what news is available) drives this section of THG. More chips? Less chips? You tell me. Obviously, we're going to cover stuff like graphics cards and CPUs, but let me know what you like and dislike (as you see it or don't), and I'll tally it all up, and try to accommodate.