1997-03-24 , S/IC-587/451

TPM754 Microcontroller Now Available for OEM Customers

Today Philips Semiconductors introduced the TMP754 microcontroller, utilizing IBM's TrackPoint™ technology, for sale to all laptop PC manufacturers and applications requiring pointing sensitive devices. The TPM754 enables the 'press-to-select' function, improves system performance and reduces system cost because it requires fewer external components.

In March, 1996, Philips Semiconductors announced the signing of a new licensing agreement with IBM making the IBM TrackPoint microcode widely available. The IBM/Philips agreement enabled Philips to market TrackPoint software embedded with its TPM749 microcontroller. The TPM754 microcontroller, with more integration and greater processing capability, enables IBM to develop additional TrackPoint functions.

The IBM TrackPoint pointing device, which is used in the IBM award-winning ThinkPad™ notebook computers, is a miniature 'joystick' that functions as a cursor control device. The velocity-sensitive pointing solution requires little movement compared to the position-sensitive devices such as the mouse, trackball or trackpad. It revolutionizes keyboard design by providing a compact, easy to use, fingertip pointing solution located squarely in the centre of the keyboard.

The TPM754, a low-cost ROM-coded 80C51 microcontroller, comes with the IBM TrackPoint pointing algorithms and control code already on board. The TPM754 enables the TrackPoint's press-to-select feature, which replaces the functions of the left button on the mouse allowing the user to click on an icon by simply pressing on the stick. The microcontroller also requires fewer external components which results in a reduction in system cost by approximately $2. In addition, the available memory on the TPM754 is larger than the current program requires, and will enable IBM to add more features for the future upgrade path.

"With TrackPoint IV, which incorporates the press-to-select function of the TPM754, IBM has demonstrated its commitment to continuing innovation and improvement of TrackPoint which we believe will continue into the future," said David Fair, Philips Semiconductors marketing manager, Microcontroller Product Group. "Philips worked closely with IBM in the development of the TPM754 to ensure its effectiveness for TrackPoint IV and beyond. Philips is proud to have been selected by IBM to supply the microcontroller for implementing TrackPoint and to sell this solution broadly."

The TPM754 is available now and priced at $5.50 in 100,000 OEM quantities. For additional information, customers should consult the Philips Semiconductors Web Site on http://www.semicondutors.philips.com for details of their local Philips Semiconductors Sales office or authorized distributor.

Although the TrackPoint pointing device was developed for IBM's laptop computers, it is useful in several non-PC applications. The technology is useful for applications such as security system camera controls, surgical equipment, PDAs, wheelchair controllers, game joysticks, and industrial machinery. Because of its small size, precision, ease-of-use, and FLEXibility, the TrackPoint pointing device can be used for control in many locations and applications.

The world-wide microcontroller market exceeded $10.8 billion in 1995, according to figures from Semico Research. The largest portion of this market consisted of 8-bit microcontrollers at approximately $5.7 billion, expected to double by the year 2000. Sales of 16-bit and greater microcontrollers reached $1.7 billion in 1995 and are expected to grow to nearly $2.5 billion in 1995, and reach $6.2 billion by the year 2000. Philips Semiconductors is the leading supplier of the most popular 8-bit architecture, the 80C51, and offers more than 75 derivatives. In-Stat, an independent semiconductor research firm, reported Philips 80C51 sales of $463 million for 1995 a 42% market share of the 80C51 market. With the introduction of the XA, Philips extends its 80C51 leadership into the 16-bit market.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the eleventh largest semiconductor supplier 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.