National Semiconductor's 16-bit RISC Microcontroller Features Integrated High Endurance Flash Programming.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2001

Boasts High Performance, On-Chip Integrated Features, and Low Power Consumption for a Wide Range of Embedded Controller Applications

National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) today introduced a new CompactRISC(TM) microcontroller, the CR16MCS9, a general-purpose 16-bit microcontroller that is ideally suited for a wide range of embedded controller applications. Because of its high performance, low power consumption, on-chip memory, wide range of peripheral functions, and Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture, this microcontroller will enable customers to reduce system costs significantly.

Designed to fit the requirements of the communication, industrial control, and automotive industries, the CR16MCS9 operates as a complete, self-contained microcomputer with all system timing, interrupt logic, flash or ROM program memory, RAM, EEPROM data memory, and I/O ports included on-chip. At the heart of the microcontroller is a second generation CR16 CPU core module that has been extensively used at National in other CompactRISC-based designs.

The CR16MCS9 features the high performance and reduced cost of a RISC architecture while retaining the advantages of a traditional Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) such as variable length instructions for high code efficiency and small program memory requirements. The CPU uses a three-stage instruction pipeline that allows execution of up to one instruction per clock cycle, or up to 25 million instructions per second (MIPS) at a clock rate of 25 MHz.

The CR16MCS9 device contains a CAN 2.0B serial with 15 orthogonal message buffers, each supporting standard as well as extended message identifiers.

Powerful cross-development tools are available from National Semiconductor and third party suppliers to support the development and debugging of application software for the CR16MCS9. These tools allow you to program the application software in C and are designed to take full advantage of the CompactRISC architecture.

Also available is a TCP/IP Micro-Server evaluation kit that provides you with the platform and tools needed to evaluate the capabilities of the 16-bit microcontroller. The kit comes with a CR16MCS9VJE8 pre-programmed to allow you to view web pages right from the on-board memory of the chip, thus behaving as a "micro-server." You can manipulate peripherals included on the add-on card with a click of the mouse.

Pricing and Availability

The CR16MCS9 is available now in FLASH (CR16MCS9VJEx), FLASH/ROM Combo (CR16MCS9VJExy), or ROM (CR16MCS5VJExy) with extended, industrial, and commercial temperature range options. Available in an 80-pin PQFP package, the CR16MCS9 is priced at $11.00 each in 1,000-unit quantities. The evaluation kit, CR16-CB80-DPE, sells for $199.00. For further information on the CR16MCS9, evaluation kit, and other products in the CR16 family, visit National's World Wide Web site at www.national.com/appinfo/cr16.

About National Semiconductor

National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; information appliances; information infrastructure; and display, imaging and human interface technologies. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 10,500 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.

Note to Editors: National is a registered trademark and CompactRISC is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.