1997-05-29 , S/IC-708-451

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 29, 1997 -- Philips Semiconductors today expanded its leadership position in the 8-bit microcontroller market with the introduction of its first-ever 80C51 Flash microcontrollers (MCUs) and the announcement of a superset of new Flash controllers set for delivery in Q4, CY 1997. The company's new Flash MCUs, with re-programmable memory, will provide users with the FLEXibility to re-code their controllers, not only multiple times, but also in-system, which enables programming at any point during manufacturing.

Philips is also announcing plans to integrate Flash memory into its new 8XC51RA+/RB+/RC+/RD+ family of microcontrollers, a superset of both the 8XC52/54/58 and 8XC51 FA/FB/FC families. OTP and Mask versions of the new RX+ MCUs are available today.

"Our customers' most important requirements are faster time-to-market and FLEXibility", said David Fair, marketing manager of Philips Semiconductors' Microcontroller group. "The introduction of the Flash microcontroller supports this customer requirement and demonstrates our commitment to enhancing our microcontrollers to meet new requirements".

With the introduction of the new 80C51 Flash controller, Philips Semiconductors, already a leader in programmable microcontrollers (OTP), reaches a new market segment and moves forward with its strategy of providing a range of MCU memory options (OTP, ROM, EPROM, ROMless and, now, FLASH). Customers using the Flash microcontrollers with in-system programming features, will have the option of re-coding the MCU before, during or even after manufacturing. Such FLEXibility offers companies the ability to re-program their products immediately, effectively reducing costs by shortening time to market and providing field upgradability.

The first of the new Philips Flash microcontrollers, the 89C535, 89C536, and the 89C538, will support the Flash multiple-time programming (MTP) feature based on the 80C51 architecture with 8K, 16K and 64K bytes of program memory, respectively. The 64K bytes of programmable memory is the largest program memory capacity available for the 80C51 architecture and facilitates support for higher level languages such as C and C++. All three devices provide 512 bytes of RAM and are available now. Pricing starts at $11.05 for 500 pcs.

Philips will also implement this flash technology in its consumer microcontrollers. These microcontrollers serve the consumer electronics market for applications such as DVD-ROM, VCD, set-top boxes and television. Philips consumer microcontrollers are developed in its Taipei design center (CICT).

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' 80C51 sales of US$ 558 million in 1996, a 20.5% increase from 1995, and a 44.5% share of the 80C51 8-bit microcontroller market. Philips 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.

"Because Philips is an unquestionable leader in the 80C51 8-bit MCU marketplace with a 44% marketshare, it is not surprising that they are one of the few semiconductor manufacturers to offer a full line of memory options such as Flash", said Joyce Putscher, senior analyst, In-Stat. "As the 80C51 market continues to evolve, so will the need for more FLEXible and high-performance solutions. Philips is in a tremendous position to leverage its existing 80C51 market leadership and become a leader in the in the Flash microcontoller arena".