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Microcontroller 64k Breakthrough
Philips Semiconductors has extended the memory range of the 80C51 microcontroller up to 256k.
Philips Semiconductors, has
announced an extension of the company's 80C51 architecture to support more
than 64KBytes of program and data memory. The 80C51MX Memory eXtension
retains full 80C51 code compatibility, and has been optimized for C
language programming, with support from Keil Software, the market leader
in 80C51 C compilers. This advancement will enable design engineers to
develop new complex applications at a lower price point, due to greater
functionality and on-chip performance enhancements, and provide a future
migration path to move beyond the current 64Kbyte barrier of the industry
standard 80C51 architecture.
"This new architecture
extension lengthens the life of the 80C51 architecture and provides design
engineers with an integrated solution for complex applications without the
need to move to a new, unfamiliar architecture," said Tony Massimini,
chief of technology at Semico Research. "The current median memory
requirement for 8-bit microcontrollers is approaching 32Kbytes and in
order to maintain the use of 80C51, an extension such as this was
required."
"Keil Software
recognizes the market demand for an extension beyond the current 80C51
barrier of 64Kbytes and will provide a complete tool chain to support
Philips Semiconductors' MX extended architecture," said Reinhard Keil,
president of Keil Software. "This architecture combined with our
development tools will enable design engineers to produce next generation
applications without the uncertainty and expense of working with a new
architecture."
"This architectural
extension broadens the 80C51 market and strengthens Philips
Semiconductors' position as the market leader," said Geoff Lees, director
of marketing for the Microcontroller Business Line at Philips
Semiconductors. "While the 80C51MX has the capability to address up to 16
Mbytes of internal and external memory, design engineers can initially
expect pin-compatible OTP and Flash devices from 64Kbytes through
256Kbytes. This will enable many new applications at a lower cost with a
decreased time-to-market, two key success factors in the evolving consumer
and telecommunications markets."
Philips
Semiconductors' 80C51MX extended architecture retains full object code
compatibility to allow design engineers to re-use existing 80C51-based
source code, eliminating the need to move to a new, unfamiliar
architecture. The architecture also retains 80C51 bus compatibility to
allow re-use of 80C51-based peripherals and Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs).
The 80C51MX extended
architecture provides greater performance and lower system cost for
embedded as well as off-chip memory solutions and eliminates the need for
additional hardware and software required for current memory extension
techniques. The increased program memory enables design engineers to
develop more complex programs in a high-level language such as C without
struggling to contain the program in the 64Kbytes of program memory. Keil
Software will provide a software tool chain for the new architecture to
include a compiler, de-bugger, simulator and linker.
The first product
based on this extended architecture will emerge in the third quarter of
2000 with volume production to follow in the fourth quarter. Keil
Software's tool chain will also be available in the third quarter.
The company's Web site address is http://www-eu2.semiconductors.com/.
[Reprinted with kind permission from Philips Semiconductors]
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