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Ramtron Introduces the First FRAM-Enhanced 8051 MCU; Groundbreaking Nonvolatile Data Storage/Processing System
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 22, 2006—
Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq:RMTR), a
leading developer and supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric random
access memory (FRAM) and integrated semiconductor products, today
launched the VRS51L3074, the market's first 8051-based microcontroller
with nonvolatile FRAM memory. Ramtron has added FRAM into its fast and
flexible Versa 8051s for a quick and reliable nonvolatile data storage
and processing system that only a FRAM-enhanced MCU can provide.
"The VRS51L3074 represents an advance that could fundamentally
alter the microcontroller landscape by providing all the advantages of
FRAM on an MCU," explains Irv Lustigman, General Manager of Ramtron
Canada. "This is the first in a series of planned products leading to
a microcontroller based entirely on FRAM, where FRAM will be used for
program, data and register memory, eliminating the need for Flash and
SRAM altogether."
FRAM instead of Flash/EEPROM for nonvolatile data storage
FRAM simplifies the design cycle by eliminating the code overhead
accompanying Flash data storage, and the limited endurance and drawn
out write cycles of Flash/EEPROM. Unlike Flash, FRAM bytes can be
modified without first erasing an entire sector, rendering it easier
to use. And unlike Flash/EEPROM, FRAM provides virtually unlimited
read/write cycles and fast data writes.
The VRS51L3074 combines 8KB of FRAM memory with a
fully-integrated, high-performance system-on-chip. Features include an
advanced 40-MIPS, single-cycle 8051-core, 64KB Flash with
In-System/In-Application Programming, 4KB SRAM, a JTAG program/debug
interface, digital signal processing (DSP) extensions and a robust
digital peripheral set. Operating at 3.3 volts over the entire
industrial temperature range, the VRS51L3074 offers the ideal embedded
data acquisition solution, targeting a wide array of applications from
sensors and metering to industrial control, instrumentation and
medical devices.
VRS51L3074 Features
8K x 8 FRAM: 8KB of true nonvolatile RAM (no battery/super cap
required to maintain data) mapped into the VRS51L3074's XRAM memory
for easy access, fast writes and essentially unlimited endurance.
40MHz, Single-Cycle 8051 Processor: This is one of the fastest
8-bit processors on the market. Its advanced core can deliver up to 40
MIPS throughput and is instruction-compatible with standard 8051s, for
smooth device migration.
MULT/ACCU/DIV Unit with 32-bit Barrel Shifter: This hardware
calculation engine significantly outperforms 8-bit processors when
executing DSP operations (FIR filtering, sensor output linearization,
multiple-byte arithmetic operations, etc). It performs 16-bit signed
multiplication and 32-bit addition in one cycle (at 40 MHz) and 16-bit
signed division in five cycles (at 40 MHz). The barrel shifter enables
logic/arithmetic shift operations.
40MHz Precision Internal Oscillator: The VRS51L3074's internal
oscillator provides better than 2% accuracy and cuts system costs by
eliminating the need for an external crystal oscillator.
JTAG Interface: For user-friendly and quick device programming and
real-time, in-circuit debugging/emulation of the user application
without the need for a costly emulator.
Dual UARTs with Baud Rate Generator: The universal asynchronous
receiver/transmitters operate at up to 1.25 Mbps. Each UART
incorporates a dedicated baud rate generator with 16-bit resolution
and 4-bit micro baud rate adjustment.
Enhanced SPI: The communication speed on the serial peripheral
interface can be configured up to 20 Mbps and transactions are
adjustable from 1 to 32 bits.
PWCs: Two pulse width counter modules provide advanced timer
control, simplifying event duration measurement.
PWMs: The VRS51L3074 incorporates eight pulse width modulators
with up to 16-bit adjustable resolution. Each PWM includes its own
timer, which can also be used as general purpose timers.
Other support peripherals include an I2C interface, three 16-bit
general purpose timers/counters with three timer capture inputs, a
watchdog timer, and 49 interrupts that share 16 interrupt vectors. The
VRS51L3074 is available in a QFP-64 package.
Pricing and Availability
The VRS51L3074 is currently sampling and costs under $5 in volume.
For more information about the VRS51L3074, please visit
http://www.ramtron.com/vrs3xxx/
About Ramtron
Ramtron International Corporation, headquartered in Colorado
Springs, Colorado, is a fabless semiconductor company that designs,
develops and markets specialized semiconductor memory, microcontroller
and integrated semiconductor solutions used in a wide range of product
applications and markets worldwide. Additionally, Ramtron works with
various leading-edge licensees and manufacturers to bring its
technology to market.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Statements herein that are not historical facts
are "forward-looking statements" involving risks and uncertainties,
including but not limited to: the effect of global economic
conditions, shifts in supply and demand, market acceptance, the impact
of competitive products and pricing, product development,
commercialization and technological difficulties, and capacity and
supply constraints. Specific forward-looking statements include those
pertaining to future MCU product plans and their ability to alter the
microcontroller landscape. Please refer to Ramtron's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings for a discussion of such risks.
Contact:
Ramtron International Corporation
Catherine Cohen, 514-871-2447 ext. 112
Email Contact
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