NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR UNVEILS 8-BIT COP8FLASH MICROCONTROLLERS.

National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) has launched the first in a series of 8-bit COP8FLASH microcontrollers with a menu of special features optimized for the design of web-driven appliances, including the National(R) Geode WebPAD reference platform.

The COP8SBR microcontroller features 32kbytes of FLASH program memory plus user-allocatable, variable-size EEPROM on board. A second COP8FLASH microcontroller, the COP8CBR, also offers an integrated 10-bit successive approximation A/D, and is designed to control a WebPAD touchscreen, power management user interface, LCD brightness and contrast control, and battery charging. National's entire COP8FLASH family, scheduled for release through 2001, will total more than 30 microcontrollers. The COP8FLASH portfolio will offer a variety of feature sets leveraging National's analog IP and leadership in package design.

The COP8CBR 8-bit microcontroller is also targeted for internet-driven applications requiring remote service and control functions of networked appliances such as home appliances, security systems and vending machines. The device takes advantage of licensed technology enabling the FLASH memory to be used both as program memory and data memory. This feature is specifically targeted at network-driven applications with their wide range of memory requirements for micro information appliances. It is fully compatible with the company's recently announced COP8.COM internet connectivity solution (February 16, 2000), which allows customers to cost-effectively combine reliable networking capabilities with remote control and monitoring functions in 8-bit controller applications.

"Home appliance manufacturers are especially thrilled by the virtual EEPROM feature," said John Phelps, product line director for National's Analog Microcontroller Group. "This internet friendly innovation not only allows them to store an appliance's historic data for future diagnostics, it also greatly reduces overall service cost and the number of service calls. This chip design is a key ingredient in the realization of the high-technology home of the future."

The COP8SBR and COP8CBR's 32kbytes of on-board FLASH coupled with a virtual EEPROM feature allow recording a history of events and facilitate diagnostic troubleshooting and servicing without the need for external memory. The combination of FLASH and National's In-System Programming (ISP) via 3-wire interface enables in-field downloading of software upgrades via the net to the target appliance, also without the need for any external hardware.

The virtual EEPROM feature permits dynamic allocation of byte size portions of FLASH program memory for non-volatile data storage. Data can subsequently be transferred from FLASH to RAM. Moreover, users can simply re-program the FLASH, which is specified for 100,000 erase/write cycles, instead of having to scrap devices with ROM or OTP (One Time Programmable) memory when a bug occurs in the software. Production lead-times are shortened by concurrent development of hardware and software and subsequent in-system programming. Inventories are also reduced thanks to the elimination of a variety of ROM codes on the shelf.

A versatile clocking system and two oscillator circuits are designed to drive a crystal or ceramic resonator. The primary oscillator operates at high speed up to 10MHz. The second oscillator is optimized for operation at 32KHz. The 16-channel, 10-bit A/D helps monitor the appliance's environment, including temperature, humidity, voltage, current, and power. Battery-powered equipment frequently demands the power-saving features of the COP8SBR's and COP8CBR's two HALT and IDLE modes of operation, and their multi-input wakeup/interrupt capability.

The COP8FLASH series features a full duplex software programmable USART supporting both synchronous and asynchronous operation. Integrated peripheral functions include: WATCHDOG and clock monitor for high reliability and failsafe operation; up to 16 high-current outputs; and three 16-bit timers including two with high-speed, 50ns resolution. A patented EMI-reduction circuitry lowers EMI by 20 dB.

The COP8CBR's integrated 10-bit successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) provides the analog multiplexer's output signal to an output pin and an A/D direct input. Connecting the analog multiplexer's output to a single external programmable-gain op amp and connecting the op amp's output to the ADC's direct input enables designers to program different amplification factors for each of the analog 16 input channels. The elimination of up to 16 op amps drastically reduces board space and lowers system costs in typical analog signal-conditioning applications.

A full range of COP8FLASH microcontroller development tools is available from National, allowing designers to quickly complete initial prototype design. In-system, real time analog signal emulation is 100% accurate and eliminates the need for hardware such as traditional off-chip cabling and emulation boards.

The COP8SBR is available now with power-on reset/brownout voltage protection in two different voltage ranges within the 2.7V to 5.5V operating range. The COP8SBR9 resets at low voltages from 2.7V to 2.9V. The COP8SCR9 is the higher-voltage brownout version, from 4.2V to 4.5V. A third option, the COP8SDR9, has no brownout reset feature. A leadless 68-pin PLCC (Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier) version of the COP8SBR9LVA8 is priced at $5.60 each in 1000-unit quantities. An optional reduced-output 44-pin PLCC version, the COP8SBR9HVA8 is available at $4.99 in 1000s.