National Semiconductor Creates The First 486 Processor Family Optimized For Embedded Applications.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 1995--National Semiconductor today announced a family of highly integrated 486 processors designed specifically for a range of embedded applications such as multifunction fax/copier/printers to mobile companions (both organizer and communication), television set-top boxes, telephones (mobile and desktop), POS and hand-held terminals.

National's embedded 486 family -- based on a 32-bit core fully compatible with the 486 instruction set -- comprises a modular core and peripheral set which is specifically optimized to address the needs of embedded systems designers.

The value of the embedded marketplace will reach $17 billion by 1998, according to The Information Architects, a market research firm. Applications based on 32-bit processors represent the fastest growing segment and will also constitute the largest part of the market (34%) by 1998.

"As more and more manufacturers build intelligence into electronic products, there is an increasing desire to take advantage of the vast infrastructure already in place for the X86 architecture and also to take full advantage of the processing power provided by an embedded 486 processor," said Frank Moore, senior marketing manager at National's Integrated Processor Unit.

National's two initial products in the NS486 series, the NS486SXF and NS486SXL, are based on a 486 core that National designed from the ground up for embedded applications, a key distinction from competitive offerings, according to Dan O'Neill, director of the Integrated Processor Unit.

"Previous X86 offerings in the embedded market have been derivatives of desktop processors," said Moore. "As a result, they are not optimized for embedded applications and cost too much.

"By building a 486 core earmarked for only embedded applications, National has overcome both of these obstacles."

National's flagship embedded 486 processor, the NS486SXF, incorporates a three-stage pipeline that streamlines the execution path which, in turn, improves performance. The processor also has an on-board one-kilobyte instruction cache (as opposed to eight kilobytes) for efficient execution from ROM. Features such as TLB and the floating point coprocessor have been removed because they are not required in embedded applications.

Peripherals and Power Management

The NS486SXF incorporates a set of I/O controllers tailored for embedded applications.

For office automation applications, the processor's ISA-compatible bus provides a direct connection for ISA peripherals including Super I/O products.

NS486SXF Product Overview

Optimized for fast page-mode DRAMs, the DRAM controller supports one or two banks for up to a total of 16 megabytes of dynamic memory. Additional System Service Elements provided include a DMA controller, real-time clock/timers/oscillator and programmable interrupt controller. Peripherals on board the NS486SXF include an LCD controller, PCMCIA slot controller, UART/HP Serial IR, ECP parallel port and a "three-wire" serial interface supporting Access.bus and Microwire plus protocol.

For power-critical computing applications, the NS486SXF incorporates a power management scheme that enables selective control of individual I/O subsystems with varying levels of power consumption. In addition, individual peripherals can be disabled.

National's Second Embedded Processor, the NS486SXL

Recognizing that cost plays a critical role in embedded design, National further reduced the cost of an embedded 486 processor by introducing the NS486SXL.

The NS486SXL delivers the same performance as National's flagship 486 embedded processor, but its peripheral set will not include a PCMCIA controller, ECP parallel port or LCD controller.

"Using our 486 core as the foundation, we can build future embedded 486 processors for specific market segments that go beyond generic products," said Moore. "National will expand its embedded 486 processor line to meet these upcoming requirements."

Software and Tool Support

National's embedded 486 processor family leverages the infrastructure that already exists for designing around X86 processors.

To ensure support for its embedded 486 processor line, National has worked closely with real-time operating system companies and software tool companies. The processor's optimized core boots up in protected mode and runs operating systems and kernels such as VxWorks, VRTX, pSOS+ and QNX Neutrino, which are products supported by Wind River Systems, Inc., Microtec Research, Inc., Integrated Systems, Inc. and QNX Software Systems Ltd., respectively, as well as with a product soon to be announced by Datalight. These products all provide environments that support protected mode operation.

In addition, Microtek International, the leading supplier of X86 development systems, has introduced a full-featured in-circuit emulator for National's embedded 486 processor line. The PowerPack NS486 emulator takes advantage of National's bondout version of the microprocessor to provide embedded developers transparent, 100% real-time emulation with clock-edge resolution of event triggering and trace.

Availability, Packaging, Pricing

National is offering the NS486SXF in a 160-pin plastic QFP at $25 per unit in OEM quantities. Limited samples and demonstration boards will be available in Q3, 1995, with initial production available in Q4, 1995.

The NS486SXL comes in a 132-pin plastic QFP and is priced at $15 per unit in OEM quantities. Samples will be available in Q4, 1995 with production in Q1, 1996.

"With National's new NS486SXF and NS486SXL, which have been optimized for embedded applications, one can now take advantage of the X86 infrastructure and develop an extremely cost-effective product based on the optimized design and on-board resources of National's NS486 product family," explained Moore. "This is another example of National's offering the right solution at the right time."

For more information on the NS486SXF and the NS486SXL, contact National's Customer Response Center at 1-800-272-9959, ext. 608.

National Semiconductor Corporation

National Semiconductor Corporation provides technologies for moving and shaping information. The company focuses on four key areas -- communications, consumer, industrial and personal systems. National Semiconductor is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has 22,300 employees worldwide. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: NS486 and PowerPack are trademarks of National Semiconductor Corporation. VxWorks is a registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc. VRTX is a registered trademark of Microtec Research, Inc. pSOS is a registered trademark of Integrated Systems, Inc. QNX is a registered trademark of QNX Software Systems Ltd.

CONTACT: National Semiconductor

Frank Moore, 408/721-7187

or

The Hoffman Agency

Lou Hoffman, 408/286-2611