1998-04-22 , E/IC-1010/41

Philips Semiconductors introduces high-performance, low-voltage microcontrollers for telecom applications

Philips Semiconductors, the largest European semiconductor manufacturer, today introduced its brand new TELX family of advanced telecom-oriented microcontrollers.

Featuring an 80CL51 core with telecom-specific hardware peripherals, this new microcontroller family provides superior performance coupled with extremely low power consumption for applications such as CT0 cordless phones, wired feature phones and Caller-ID adjunct boxes. Manufactured using a special low-cost low-voltage EPROM process, OTP (One-Time Programmable) versions provide cost-effective user-programmability at a price previously associated only with ROM-mask devices. TELX microcontrollers operate from a 2.7 V to 3.6 V supply.

"Unlike competing RISC-based microcontrollers, TELX micros offer a unique combination of full functionality, extremely low power consumption, dedicated telecom hardware and programming flexibility," said Rob Whittaker, International Product Marketing Manager for analog cordless and wired products in Z¸rich, Switzerland, where TELX micros were developed. "The ability to program these devices in-situ with country-specific or product-specific information via their high-speed I²C-bus interface gives OEMs working to just-in-time delivery schedules exceptional customization flexibility" he added.

Telecom-specific features of the TELX 883, 884, 886 and 887 microcontrollers include a hardware DTMF generator, MSK modem, PWM output and software-programmable low-voltage detection (LVD)- making them ideal for applications such as CT0 analog cordless phones. The TELX 884 also features 256 bytes of EEPROM. Other features include three 8-bit ports (18 or 19 I/O lines), 8K, 12K or 16K bytes of program memory, and up to 512 bytes of RAM. All four microcontrollers are supplied in SO28 packages.

The TELX 881, which omits the DTMF generator and MSK modem, but which offers up to 63K bytes of program memory, 2K bytes of RAM and 32 I/O lines, is primarily targeted for use in pagers. This device is packaged in a 44-lead low-profile quad flat pack.

All TELX microcontrollers incorporate a general-purpose full-duplex UART - suiting them for use in data applications such as home banking terminals. Their low-power/low-voltage features, user-programmability and on-board functionality ensure that TELX microcontrollers are not limited to telecom applications. They are, for example, equally suitable for use in applications such as remote metering and security systems.

The enhanced EPROM fabrication technology used in the TELX family results in a highly integrated process that works at low voltages over a -25ƒC to +70ƒC temperature range. Devices are available pre-programmed or as blanks (for hardware development, prototype and pre-production runs) that can be programmed by a low-cost hand programmer or a production programmer. For mass production, Philips Semiconductors also offers a cost-effective programming service.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world and fourth largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video and mobile technology position the company as 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.