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Motorola Plans to Benchmark the Low-End Embedded Market with the Nitron Family of Low-Cost Flash-based 8-Bit MCUs
Embedded Flash Memory MCUs, in 8- and 16- lead Packages, Provide Design Flexibility, and Reduce System Costs, While Free Tools Speed Time to Market
New York - Sept. 23, 2002 -- Designers of cost-sensitive embedded systems from light dimmer switches and digital keypads to windshield wiper motor controllers and washing machine controllers will benefit from lower cost 8-bit Flash microcontrollers (MCUs) from Motorola (NYSE: MOT), the world's market leader in microcontrollers. The new NitronTM series - six small-profile, 68HC08-based Flash MCUs, available in 8- and 16-lead packaging - bring designers of consumer electronics, industrial and automotive systems increased flexibility in the development and manufacturing processes, as well as reduced time-to-market and system costs.
Because of Motorola's advances in Flash manufacturing technology and high production volumes, the Nitron devices, with a suggested resale price as low as US$0.70*, and future derivatives planned under US$0.50*, can meet or beat the price of many other vendors' MCUs with on-chip one-time programmable (OTP) memory, and in some cases, read only memory (ROM). Now, with the 68HC08 Family, Motorola offers to customers an entire spectrum of 8-bit MCUs, from very low-cost to very high performance, with the widest variety of on-chip memory and peripheral options available in the industry. Customers can also access a complete development environment at no cost to registered users of Motorola's website, as Motorola is making available free development tools (valued at more than US$2,000) for the Nitron Flash MCUs.
"Motorola's 68HC908 devices incorporate on-chip Flash memory that not only enables us to re-program our systems many times during the development cycle, but also to program late in the manufacturing cycle and make upgrades remotely in the field," said Marco Borgiani, managing director of ELMARC, an Antonio Merloni Company. "This means we can offer our customers new features, better performance, safety and security, with minimal increase in costs. We're extensively using the 68HC908 series, allowing us to utilize Flash memory in our white goods applications with great results. Now, the new Motorola 68HC908QY2 microcontroller will enable us to introduce a microcontroller into a very cost-critical application -- the thermostat of a refrigerator."
Nitron Flash MCUs
The Nitron family includes six devices based on the 68HC08 architecture: the 68HC908QT1, 68HC908QT2, 68HC908QT4, 68HC908QY1, 68HC908QY2 and 68HC908QY4. Each device features the widely-accepted, high-performance 68HC08 central processing unit (CPU), in-application and in-circuit re-programmable Flash memory (1.5K to 4K bytes), and a number of on-chip peripherals, including a two channel 16-bit timer system with selectable capture, compare and PWM, system protection such as selectable trip point LVI (Low Voltage Inhibit) and auto-wakeup from STOP COP (Computer Operating Properly)and a four channel 8-bit analog to digital converter (on QT2/QT4/QY2/QY4 versions). Available packages include 8-lead PDIP, 8-lead SOIC, 16-lead PDIP, 16-lead SOIC, and 16-lead TSSOP.
Motorola's Flash MCUs are in-application and in-circuit re-programmable, with very fast programming times (as fast as 32 microseconds/byte), block protection and security features to help customers guard intellectual property contained in software code. They allow embedded system designers to program late in the manufacturing cycle, make upgrades remotely in the field, and to quickly respond to the changing needs of their customers and the market with more flexibility than one-time programmable and ROM-based MCUs.
"No other semiconductor supplier can match Motorola's embedded Flash technology, Flash MCU portfolio nor success in the market," noted Paul Grimme, corporate vice president and general manager for Motorola's 8/16-Bit Products Division. "We're leveraging years of non-volatile memory expertise to help customers bring new functionality to a host of cost-sensitive products that improve people's lives in many ways. For example, a lighting manufacturer that currently offers a basic dimmer switch can use a 68HC908 Flash MCU to add features, such as programmable settings, time delays and safety shut-off, with minimal effect on the price and added convenience for consumers."
Training and Support
The Metrowerks CodeWarrior Development Studio Special Edition for the 68HC908QT/QY family is available at no charge to registered users of Motorola's Web site. This tool, which contains more than US$2,000 of advanced tools from several of the worlds leading vendors, includes a highly optimized 68HC908QT/QY Family C compiler, assembler, debugger, simulator, flash programmer, and an auto-code generator for on-chip peripherals. This professional toolset is being provided free to help Motorola 68HC08 customers dramatically reduce development time and improve code quality.
In addition, Motorola offers a special-edition Evaluation Board that features a battery powered 68HC908QT4 device, LEDs, potentiometer, push button, access to all I/O for user-provided interfacing, a software demo and application code. This Evaluation Board is available from Motorola distributors worldwide at the suggested resale price of US$25 (or local equivalent). However, while Motorola website quantities last, the Evaluation Board, with all support documentation and peripherals, will be available at no cost to those registering on www.motorola.com/mcu. The CodeWarrior Development Studio Special Edition for the 68HC908QT/QY series, mentioned above, is also included. The Evaluation Board used in conjunction with the CodeWarrior Development Studio offers customers a comprehensive application development, debugging, programming and testing environment.
Motorola also offers 68HC08 Web-based training as part of a wide range of services that make it easy for customers to design-in and use Motorola microcontrollers. Customers can leverage a large library of application notes; more than 500 online, searchable technical MCU Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and answers; a growing library of complete reference designs, and free, downloadable, high-quality development software, such as an auto code generator. A large base of Motorola and third party hardware and software development tools are available for the 68HC08 and all Motorola microcontroller families.
Price and Availability
The Nitron 68HC908Q-series products are available now in production quantities. Suggested list prices in 10,000-piece quantities start at US$0.70. The Metrowerks CodeWarrior Development Studio Special Edition for the 68HC908QT/QY series is available at no charge to registered users of Motorola's website (www.motorola.com/mcu) and on CDROM (order CDCWSEHC08/D).
About Motorola
As the world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector creates DigitalDNA system-on-chip solutions for a connected world. Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to develop smarter, simpler, faster and synchronized products for the person, work team, home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $4.9 billion (USD) in 2001. http://www.motorola.com/semiconductors
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2001 were $30 billion. http://www.motorola.com/
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