Motorola Launches High-Power Microprocessor for Automotive Powertrain Applications; New Chip Combines Advanced Processor Power With High Integration.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 1998--Motorola Monday unveiled a 32-bit PowerPC microcontroller that can manage all engine and transmission control functions for automobiles.

This single-chip solution is designed to reduce system costs, simplify control electronics, and aid in the continuing reduction of exhaust emissions.

Developed for the highly rugged environment of the automotive industry, the PowerPC MPC555 combines advanced processing power with high-level integration of key peripherals and 448K of Flash memory. The microcontroller will also benefit demanding applications in other embedded and communications applications.

"In many cases, engine and transmission control functions have been handled by several microprocessors," said Richard Spilo, strategic marketing manager in Motorola's Transportation Systems Group. "These applications demand large amounts of on-chip memory, high processing power and peripheral devices. By integrating these requirements on a single chip, we can offer a more sophisticated and cost-effective solution to manufacturers."

The PowerPC MPC555 has more transistors (6.7 million), more on-chip Flash memory (448 Kbytes) and more on-board peripherals (eight) than any previous Motorola microcontroller.

The integrated nature of the design has resulted in reduced power consumption (the core uses a 3.3 Volt supply) and enables the chip to function at the wider temperature range of -40 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius. This allows the controller to be housed on the engine, reducing cost without compromising performance.

The higher computational power will enable automotive systems designers to significantly improve control of ignition, injection, transmission systems, and emissions and fuel efficiency for both diesel and gasoline-driven cars.

Technical Details

Microprocessor CPU 

The CPU of the MPC555 is a single-issue PowerPC microprocessor, capable of operation in the automotive environment at clock speeds of 40MHz. The CPU also contains a double precision floating point unit designed to accelerate the advanced algorithms now being used for engine control and diagnostics.

The MPC555 core is compatible with the entire range of Motorola PowerPC microprocessors, and benefits from the extensive development support available for this popular computing and embedded platform.

Memory

The embedded memory system of the microprocessor consists of 448 Kbytes of Flash memory (divided into two blocks of 256 and 192 Kbytes) for main program storage; 26 Kbytes of fast static RAM (split into one 16 Kbyte and one 10 Kbyte block); a four-bank memory controller that works with SRAM, EPROM, Flash and EEPROM; and a memory-protection unit.

The combination of the new architecture's One Transistor Flash cell design and its 0.36 micron process provides the level of integration required to make the large on-chip memory of the MPC555 possible.

Peripherals

The MPC555 supports a wide range of on-board peripherals, including dual third-generation Timer Processing Units (TPU3). Each of these units has its own 32-bit MicroRISC engine capable of processing 20 million instructions per second and features its own on-board scheduler and 16 timer channels each.

Additional peripherals include two TouCAN (CAN 2.0B) controller modules for automotive and industrial networking; two queued analogue-to-digital converter (QADC) modules; a queued serial multi-channel module (QSMCM) with two high-speed UARTS and a queued serial port (QSPI); an 18 channel modular I/O subsystem (MIOS1); and a system bus interface control block with general purpose I/O support.

Development Support

Development support will include a full set of development tools and real-time operating systems enhanced specifically for the new processor. Industry-leading third-party tool developers will supply processor probes, logic analyzers, debuggers, simulation development environments, C and C++ compilers, emulators and other automotive tools for calibration and rapid development.

Real-time operating systems that are optimized for use with the MPC555 are Motorola's RTEK real-time operating system and ETAS' ERCOSEK embedded real-time control operating system. For a complete listing of Motorola's development tool providers, reference Motorola's Web site at www.solutions.motorola.com/tsg/vendors.html.

Pricing and Availability

The latest and most advanced member of Motorola's MPC500 family is slated for sampling early next quarter and will sell for $45 each (suggested list price), in lots of 10,000 units. The price in the year 2000 is projected to be less than $30 each, in lots of 10,000 units.

A low-cost familiarization board and a full-function development system board with 40 MHz silicon will be available in late Q2. Additional Motorola support includes the development of low- and high-level software drivers, Flash programming support and application software.

About Motorola

Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector develops the essential building blocks to help its customers create new opportunities for a digital world in the consumer, networking and computing, transportation and wireless communications markets. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $8.0 billion in 1997.

In the global marketplace, Motorola also is one of the leading providers of wireless communications, advanced electronic systems, components and services. Major equipment businesses include cellular telephone, two-way radio, paging and data communications, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics and computers. Corporate sales in 1997 were $29.8 billion. -0-

PowerPC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corp., used under license therefrom. All other tradenames, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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