1998-02-09 , E/IC-1006/451

Philips Semiconductors today expanded its existing XA (eXtended Architecture) family of 16-bit microcontrollers with the launch of the XA-S3 derivative. The XA- S3 combines many powerful peripherals on one chip including a fast, high resolution A/D converter allowing the XA-S3 to complete an analogue-to-digital conversion in 5 microseconds at 20 MHz, ten times faster than its 8-bit  80C51 counterpart. The new 16-bit devices are literally systems on a chip and ideally suited for high-performance embedded control applications in products such as modems, telephones, car systems and for industrial motor control.

To help designers bring their XA-S3-based products to market faster, Philips Semiconductors has also announced today a wide range of development tools to support the new derivatives. Future Designs Inc., is offering the XTEND-S3 Development Kit to provide an easy-to-use platform for user software development and modification. All shipments of the kit include a demonstration version of TASKING's XA compiler and debugger. The Crossview Pro Debugger from TASKING combines the flexibility of C language with the control of assembly language code execution to help reduce time needed for testing and debugging applications.

In addition, in-circuit emulators developed by Nohau Corporation will be available to help minimise debugging time and Ceibo is offering a range of development tools for the XA-S3, including low-cost emulation boards with real-time debugging capabilities.

XA-S3 features
When compared with the XA-G3, the first derivative of Philips Semiconductors 16- bit family of microcontrollers, the XA-S3 has several powerful additional features to support multi-tasking operating systems and high-level languages such as C. Features include: a fast, high resolution A/D converter for applications such as Data-Acquisition and Servo-Control; a Programmable Counter Array (PCA) programmed to operate in one of four modes including 16-bit high speed output or power reduction modes; and two enhanced UARTs to provide hardware flow control and reduce the burden on the CPU.

The XA-S3 supports 2.7 to 5.5V operation and has an I²C serial interface so designers can use hundreds of available I²C features such as EEPROMs, real- time clock chips and LCD drivers.

The XA-S3 ROM microcontrollers will sell for US $8 in OEM quantities, with an OTP version priced at US $28 in quantities of less than 100 units. Products are available in 68-pin PLCC and 80-pin PQFP packages and will begin shipping in Q2 98.

XTEND-S3 and other support tools
The XTEND-S3 Development Kit includes many tools that use the same PC software interface as the world's most popular 8-bit architecture, the 80C51. Using the same interface will reduce the designer's learning curve so they can more easily get their new customised designs running with the XA-S3. In many cases, XTEND may serve as a quick prototype for the actual user application. Priced at US $249, the XTEND-S3 includes 64KB of external flash memory, a UL- approved power supply, RS232 serial cable and DB25 adapter.

For further information on the XA development tools, customers can contact Ceibo at telephone +1 314 830 4084; Future Designs Inc., at +1 205 830 4116; and Nohau Corporation at +1 408 866 1820.

About Philips Semiconductors
Philips Semiconductors is the world's leading supplier of the most popular 8-bit architecture, the 80C51, offering more than 100 derivatives. In-Stat, an independent semiconductor research firm, reported Philips Semiconductors' 80C51 sales of US $558 million in 1996, a 20% increase from 1995, and a 44% share of the 80C51 8-bit microcontroller market. Philips Semiconductors has recently extended this successful architecture into 16-bit performance with its XA. Now customers can preserve their software, development tools and technology investment in the 80C51 while capitalizing on the 16-bit performance requirements in a market expected to double in the next two years.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world and the fourth largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by systems labs.