Motorola Positioned to Capture Distribution Market with Standard 32-Bit Microcontroller Solutions; Flash M-CORE-TM- Microcontroller Raises the Bar on Cost, Performance and Integration.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2000

As part of its commitment to designing and producing market-leading DigitalDNA(TM) embedded solutions, Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) today introduced a new M-CORE Flash microcontroller (MCU) family and its first member, the MMC2107. The new 32-bit chips are designed to meet the needs of distribution channel customers designing high-performance, cost- and power-sensitive industrial control and automation applications, such as vending machines, building management and heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) systems, exercise equipment and lighting control.

The feature set of the new MMC2107 was determined with significant inputs from engineers at Motorola's authorized semiconductor distributors as well as dozens of distribution customers who design embedded control systems for a wide variety of end products.

"Over the last year, Motorola has focused on providing standard microcontrollers and microprocessors, application software and development tools for customers who buy through the distribution channel," said David West, vice president at Arrow Electronics, one of Motorola's authorized distributors. "The new standard M-CORE product coupled with the Motorola brand name -- and support that goes with it -- provide an unmatched value. Customers get the performance of a 32-bit processor with the high level of peripheral integration typical of Motorola's 8- and 16-bit microcontrollers, all at a very cost-effective price."

Features and Applications of the MMC2107 MCU

The new M-CORE MCU was designed using Motorola's vast library of intellectual property (IP) and its system-on-a-chip (SoC) design methodology that enables its chip designers to more efficiently develop new embedded microcontrollers and microprocessors. By reusing existing peripherals, customers who have used other Motorola microcontrollers can leverage their experience and code when migrating from one MCU to another, resulting in a shorter time-to-market and increased return-on-investment.

"The positive influence of flash memory and mixed-signal on MCUs has provided an opportunity for vendors with those unique capabilities to make an impact on the industry", according to a recent analyst report "Microcontroller Forecast and Market Trends Through 2003" written by Tom Starnes, a chief analyst with Dataquest, a Gartner Group Company. "One aspect of the SoC that is an MCU -- having stand-alone flash or analog capability and the ability to integrate those features on-chip with the logic of a microcontroller -- can separate the men from the boys."

Optimized for embedded control applications, the new MMC2107 is an ideal solution for designers of space-constrained process control and industrial automation devices, such as point-of-sale automation and inventory management equipment, including bar code scanners, magnetic stripe readers and fixed function thermal printers. Bar code scanners incorporating the MMC2107 may be faster than those based on discrete solutions and may process more data in less time or recognize more complicated patterns. Similarly, thermal printers using the MMC2107 may print faster or at higher resolutions than before. The MMC2107 also consumes less current than a comparable discrete solution so that portable versions of these end products may be made smaller and lighter or to run longer on their existing battery packs.

"Our project could not be completed with existing technology and the M-CORE architecture was one of the key success factors in the development of our new product," said Bob Karschnia, senior principal engineer, Rosemount, Inc. "For a reasonable price, you get great performance and low power consumption. These two features are the wave of the future for all microcontrollers because almost all customers will need these features; if not today, then tomorrow."

The MMC2107 utilizes an M-CORE 32-bit microRISC central processing unit (CPU) which provides fast interrupt handling, low-power consumption and very high code density. Motorola's flash memory embedded on-board is in-circuit and in-application programmable, allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to program late in the manufacturing cycle and make upgrades remotely in the field.

The MMC2107 integrates both digital and analog peripherals, including a powerful 16-bit timer, communication interfaces and a queued analog-to-digital converter (QADC), as well as eight Kbytes of static-random access memory (SRAM). A similar discrete solution comprising a 32-bit microRISC CPU, FLASH memory, SRAM and ADC would require four or more separate chips and a substantial amount of printed circuit board area.

Motorola plans to expand the M-CORE family with chips that will be pin compatible with the MMC2107 and have consistent memory maps. On the family roadmap are additional MCUs with different memory options that are expected to be announced in early 2001.

MMC2107 Development Tool Support

With Motorola's development tools and independent tool support for the M-CORE architecture, customers can design their systems faster and easier. Motorola offers three levels of evaluation kits, all of which include a GNU compiler and debugger:

-- Evaluation Board (MMCEVB2107) -- an economical means of developing and debugging target systems that incorporate the MMC2107

-- Mid-range Evaluation Board (MMCCMB2107) -- EVB features plus additional on-board memory, MAPI connector ring for expansion boards, and Mictor logic analyzer connectors

-- Evaluation System (KITEVS2107) -- CMB features plus a universal platform board with additional FLASH and SRAM, as well as connectors for multiple communication ports

Software development tools and real-time operating systems include those from: Accelerated Technology Inc., AppForge Software, LLC, Avocet Systems, Inc., COSMIC Software, Inc., Embedded Power Corporation, ETAS, Green Hills Software, Inc., Metrowerks AG, Metrowerks Corporation, MicroAPL Ltd, Microtek International, Microware Systems Corporation, Precise Software Technologies, Inc., Innoveda, Inc., TASKING, Inc., and Wind River Systems, Inc. Hardware tools are available from Agilent Technologies, Inc.; Axiom Technologies, Inc.; iSYSTEM GmbH; Lauterbach Datentechnik GmbH; and Tektronix, Inc., which support the M-CORE architecture with new logic analyzers and evaluation boards.

Price and Availability

MMC2107 currently is available in two package versions: a 144-pin low-profile quad flat pack (LQFP) (part number MMC2107CFCPV33) for use in single-chip and expanded modes, and a 100-pin LQFP (part number MMC2107CFCPU33), which can operate in single-chip mode and is intended for applications that must minimize printed circuit board area. The suggested list price is US$15.00 for quantities less than 25,000 units. Engineering samples are available now and can be obtained by contacting a local Motorola sales office or authorized distributor.

The MMCEVB2107 is available now for a suggested list of US$495.00; the MMCCMB2107 is available now for a suggested list of US$995.00; and the high performance, KITEVS2107 development tool is expected to be available in September 2000 for a suggested list of US$2500.00. Motorola's development tools are available through local Motorola sales offices or authorized distributors.

About M-CORE

Introduced in 1997, the M-CORE architecture has achieved success in several markets, including portable and consumer electronics, wireless communications, industrial and transportation. Electronic Design News (EDN) magazine named the M-CORE architecture one of the hot technologies of 1998.

The technology is a fixed-length, 32-bit microRISC architecture that combines Motorola's technical RISC experience with its vast expertise in control-oriented applications. The M-CORE architecture offers exceptional code density, allowing system designers to build more functionality into their applications using less memory, and unmatched interrupt processing for real-time embedded control applications. In addition, the core was also designed for very low-power consumption, enabling longer battery life or fewer batteries in hand-held and portable devices.

About Motorola

As the world's No.1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector offers multiple DigitalDNA(TM) technologies which enable its customers to create "smart" products and new business opportunities in the networking and computing, wireless communications, transportation, and imaging and entertainment markets. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $7.4 billion (USD) in 1999.

http://www.motorola.com/semiconductors

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were $33.1 billion.

http://www.motorola.com

DigitalDNA and M-CORE are trademarks of Motorola. MOTOROLA, the Stylized M Logo and all other trademarks indicated as such herein are trademarks of Motorola, Inc.(R)Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.(c) 2000 Motorola, Inc. All rights reserved. All other product or service names are the property of their respective trademark owners.

NOTE TO EDITORS: In the name "M-CORE" noted in this news release, the bullet between M and CORE has been replaced with a hyphen. It was replaced for transmission purposes only.