Ramtron Launches Fast and Flexible Versa 8051 MCU: A Cost-Efficient Alternative to the 16-Bit MCU.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq:RMTR), a leading developer and supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) and integrated semiconductor products, today introduced the VRS51L2070, a fast and flexible 8051-based microcontroller that delivers the power and speed of a 16-bit MCU without migrating from an 8-bit device.

"The VRS51L2070 meets the current market demand for a high performance MCU, without a costly investment in new architecture and code," explains Irv Lustigman, General Manager of Ramtron Canada. "This optimizes system performance, but keeps development costs to a minimum."

Upgrade 8-bit designs with a high performance Versa 8051 MCU

The VRS51L2070 is the newest series in Ramtron's Versa 8051 MCU family. This fully integrated, high performance system-on-chip incorporates an advanced 40-MIPS, single-cycle 8051-core, 64KB Flash with In-System/In-Application Programming, 4KB SRAM, a JTAG program/debug interface, digital signal processing (DSP) extensions and a robust digital peripheral set. Operating at 3.3 volts over the entire industrial temperature range, the VRS51L2070 is ideal for embedded data acquisition, sensor and control applications in the industrial, medical, consumer, instrumentation and automotive markets.

VRS51L2070 Features

--40MHz, Single-Cycle 8051 Processor: This is one of the fastest 8-bit processors on the market. Its advanced core can deliver up to 40 MIPS throughput and is instruction-compatible with standard 8051s, for smooth device migration.

--MULT/ACCU/DIV Unit with 32-bit Barrel Shifter: This hardware calculation engine significantly outperforms 8-bit processors when executing DSP operations (FIR filtering, sensor output linearization, multiple-byte arithmetic operations, etc). It performs 16-bit signed multiplication and 32-bit addition in one cycle (at 40 MHz) and 16-bit signed division in 5 cycles (at 40 MHz). The barrel shifter enables logic/arithmetic shift operations.

--40MHz Precision Internal Oscillator: The VRS51L2070's internal oscillator provides 2% accuracy and cuts system costs by eliminating the need for an external oscillator.

--JTAG Interface: For user-friendly and quick device programming and real-time, in-circuit debugging/emulation of the user application without the need for a costly emulator.

The VRS51L2070 incorporates an array of highly configurable digital peripherals that enable full integration and ease the load on the processor. These include:

--Dual UARTs with Baud Rate Generator: The universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters operate at up to 1.25 Mbps. Each UART incorporates a dedicated baud rate generator with 16-bit resolution and 4-bit micro baud rate adjustment.

--Enhanced SPI: The communication speed on the serial peripheral interface can be configured up to 20 Mbps and transactions are adjustable from 1 to 32 bits.

--PWCs: Two pulse width counter modules provide advanced timer control, simplifying event duration measurement.

--PWMs: The VRS51L2070 incorporates eight pulse width modulators with up to 16-bit adjustable resolution. Each PWM includes its own timer, which can also be used as general purpose timers.

Other support peripherals include an I2C interface, three 16-bit general purpose timers/counters with three timer capture inputs, a watchdog timer, and 49 interrupts that share 16 interrupt vectors. The VRS51L2070 is available in a QFP-64 package.

Pricing and Availability

The VRS51L2070 is currently sampling and costs under $4 in volume.

For more information about Ramtron MCUs, please visit http://www.ramtron.com/doc/Products/microcontroller/

For 300-dpi product photos, go to http://www.ramtron.com/doc/Press/photos.asp

About Ramtron

Ramtron International Corporation, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets specialized semiconductor memory, microcontroller and integrated semiconductor solutions used in a wide range of product applications and markets worldwide. Additionally, Ramtron works with various leading-edge licensees and manufacturers to bring its technology to market.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements herein that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" involving risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the effect of global economic conditions, shifts in supply and demand, market acceptance, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and capacity and supply constraints. Please refer to Ramtron's Securities and Exchange Commission filings for a discussion of such risks.