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NEC Electronics Introduces Twelve New 16-bit Microcontrollers with USB 2.0 functionality

Enables fast data transfer and Industry-Leading Low Power Consumption


KAWASAKI (Japan), SANTA CLARA, Calif. (USA), DUESSELDORF (Germany), January 29, 2010
78K0R/KE3-L, 78K0R/KC3-L

NEC Electronics (TSE: 6723) today announced the availability of twelve new 16-bit All FlashTM microcontrollers (MCUs) with built-in Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 function and industry-leading low power consumption. The new offering includes six 48-pin MCUs (78K0R/KC3-L) and six 64-pin MCUs (78K0R/KE3-L).
USB 2.0 is an interface standard used in PCs and peripherals. With its fast data transfer and connectivity, USB 2.0 is now also widely used in consumer electronics devices such as digital audio visual (A/V) appliances and healthcare appliances, as well as factory automation (FA) equipment such as measurement systems. The consumer electronics devices and healthcare diagnostic instruments also include systems that are battery driven, such as portable audio players and blood glucose meters. Therefore, system designers of these devices and manufacturers are concerned about power consumption and battery life. To address these concerns, NEC Electronics implemented the USB functionality on its industry-leading low-power 78K0R/Kx3-L family of MCUs to maximize product and battery life and minimize power consumption.

The four key features of the new MCUs are as follows:


  • (1) Industry-leading low-power consumption enabling longer battery-life for portable handsets
    By utilizing low power consumption technology accumulated through the development of 78K0R/Kx3-L MCUs with the company's USB 2.0 function controller, NEC Electronics succeeded in achieving the industry's leading low standby power consumption of 0.37 microamps (µA), one seventh of that of the company's previous 8-bit MCUs. Furthermore, it enables low active power consumption of 6.4 milliamps (mA) at 20 megahertz (MHz) during CPU operation, preserving the same level as of the company's previous 8-bit MCUs. Featuring the industry's leading low power consumption, the new MCUs realize longer battery life for the portable handsets with USB connectivity.
  • (2) 7 times Enhanced performance from the 8-bit MCUs
    NEC Electronics' new MCUs offer best-in-class CPU performance within the 16-bit MCU arena at 20MHz. These devices are equipped with fast on-chip USB function controller to facilitate the connection between peripheral systems, complicated consumer electronics devices and healthcare appliances.
  • (3) Wide range of USB solutions including USB drivers
    NEC Electronics offers USB-function drivers to handle the device-specific functionality and other related tasks. Starter kits with USB evaluation boards, development environments, sample software and documents are scheduled to be available in February 2010 from Tessera Technology INC. Certified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), NEC Electronics' new MCUs offer manufacturers and consumers the assurance that they will function in accordance with the specification, and will interoperate with the billions of USB-enabled devices that exist in the market today.
  • (4) Compact package
    The 48-pin MCUs and the 64-pin MCUs are all equipped in TQFP package (7mm × 7mm × 1.0mm), reducing the package area by 17 percent, while doubling the number of external pins and increasing the built-in flash memory capacity by 8 times from the company's 8-bit MCUs. More compact and thinner packages are also available; a 64-pin BGA (ball grid array) package (5mm × 5mm), a 48-pin QFN (quad flat no lead) package (scheduled, 7mm × 7mm × 0.75mm), which reduces part costs and space requirements.

NEC Electronics believes these new MCUs will contribute to convenient development for the manufacturers of USB-enabled devices and intends to offer a range of related products.

Availability
Samples of the new MCUs are currently available with mass production scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2010.
More information about NEC Electronics' extensive MCU product offerings can be found at here.
(Availability is subject to change without notice.)

#1 Supplier Worldwide for 32-bit Microcontrollers
NEC Electronics Corporation has retained the number one supplier ranking for 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) worldwide based on revenue in 2007 and 2008 as ranked by Gartner in its April 2009 report. In addition, the company has moved into the number one position for 32-bit automotive MCUs; the number two position for overall MCUs, and the number two position for 8-bit MCUs. More information can be found at http://www.am.necel.com/micro/.

Leadership in USB
NEC Electronics Corporation is a leading supplier of USB solutions for customers worldwide and was the industry's first company to introduce a USB 2.0 host controller and hub controller, as well as the first USB-IF-certified USB 3.0 host controller. With a USB 2.0 product line-up that includes ASSPs and ASICs, the company has shipped more than 150 million units worldwide and continues to be a leader in the development of interface technology. More information about NEC Electronics' USB technologies can be found at http://www.am.necel.com/usb/.


About NEC Electronics

NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets; system solutions for the mobile handset, PC peripheral, automotive and digital consumer markets; and multi-market solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics Corporation has subsidiaries worldwide including NEC Electronics America, Inc. and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH. More information about NEC Electronics worldwide can be found at www.necel.com.



(Remarks)
All Flash is a trademark of NEC Electronics Corporation in Japan and other countries. SuperFlash is a registered trademark of Silicon Storage Technology in the U.S., Japan, and other countries. All other registered trademarks or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Information in the press releases, including product prices and specifications is current on the date of the press announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice.