1998-08-26 ,
Press Releases From Customers/Partners

Joint Development Agreement Yields 16-bit Flash Microcontroller Solutions

SAN JOSE, Calif. - August 26, 1998 - Macronix International Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: MXICY) today announced that it will develop an embedded flash module for Philips Semiconductors as part of its 16-bit XA (eXtended Architecture) microcontroller (MCU) joint development agreement. As the first in a series of flash-based solutions with Macronix, the new module will enable Philips Semiconductors to offer a variety of 16-bit XA microcontrollers with embedded flash memory--beginning with its XA-G3 derivative sampling in Q4 1998.

Under the new development and licensing agreement, Macronix will license the 16-bit XA core and jointly develop flash-embedded XA microcontroller solutions with Philips Semiconductors. The series of flash-based devices will be marketed and distributed by Philips Semiconductors. Additionally, Macronix will become a member of the Philips Semiconductors XA team, promoting the architecture worldwide to address the demands of this key emerging market.

"We are pleased with the progress of our technology partnership with Philips Semiconductors," said Miin Wu, president, Macronix International Co., Ltd. "This alliance has allowed the companies to combine their core strengths and offer designers a wide range of high-performance microcontrollers with embedded non-volatile memory that fulfill their application requirements."

The new flash module will support 64K bytes of memory and double the size of the XA's existing embedded one-time programmable (OTP) memory. The module can also support in-system programming (ISP), allowing designers to upgrade software, enhance products and fix bugs "in-circuit"-significantly reducing cost and time-to-market pressures. Operating on 3-5 volts, the module also features reduced-power consumption, making it ideal for battery-operated devices and other low-power applications.

Fabricated in a 0.32µ process, the high-density module will significantly reduce the microcontroller's overall footprint and power consumption. Additionally, the improved process technology will ensure support for higher density memories, beyond 64K bytes. In comparison, many microcontroller suppliers use lower density 0.65µ-0.8µ processes for their embedded flash memory blocks. The endurance target for the new Philips Semiconductors' flash module is 10,000 erase/write cycles, with an estimated 100,000 erase/write cycles planned for future modules. This offers customers greater flexibility in upgrading and maintaining their applications. Additionally, future modules will support byte-erasable capabilities.

"Philips is already a leader in OTP, and with this agreement, we now have a leading position in flash-programmable microcontrollers," said Ross Anderson, senior vice president and general manager, Multimarket Products, Philips Semiconductors. "With this module, we can bring to market quickly a variety of 16-bit XA derivatives with embedded flash memory."

Philips Semiconductors is the world's leading supplier of the most popular 8-bit architecture, the 80C51, offering more than 100 derivatives. Cahners In-Stat Group, a high-technology market research firm in Scottsdale, Arizona, reported Philips Semiconductors' 80C51 sales of US $416 million in 1997, a 41 percent 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.

About Philips Semiconductors
Philips Semiconductors, Inc., a subsidiary of Philips Electronics North America Corporation and an affiliate of Royal Philips Electronics, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth 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 regional customer applications labs. Additional information on Philips Semiconductors can be found on the home page at www.semiconductors.philips.com

About Macronix
Macronix International Co., Ltd., the 7th largest non-volatile memory supplier in the world, designs, manufactures and markets flash, EPROM, Mask ROM and logic products for the communications, consumer and computer markets. MXIC is listed on the Taipei and NASDAQ (MXICY) stock exchanges. For more information on the complete family of Macronix products, call or write:

Macronix America, Inc.,
1338 Ridder Park Drive,
San Jose,
CA 95131,
phone: 1-800-432-1621;
fax: 1-408-451-0876;
 www.macronix.com.

For questions or more information,  send an email