Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Freescale Semiconductor | Subject: RS08
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 14 March 2006
MCU aims for cost-efficient control
Freescale Semiconductor is introducing an ultra-low-end 8bit microcontroller (MCU) core to meet demand for smaller, more cost-effective solutions.
Freescale Semiconductor is introducing an ultra-low-end 8bit microcontroller (MCU) core to meet demand for smaller, more cost-effective solutions Ideal for traditional electro-mechanical designs that require additional functionality, the core is designed to allow increased integration while staying at a low price point
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 24 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Freescale offers an easy entry to its expansive microcontroller portfolio with an ultra-low-end sub-50-cent 8bit device small enough to fit in the head of an electric toothbrush.
Microcontrollers supplied ready-programmed
To help customers streamline their high-volume manufacturing processes, Freescale Semiconductor has introduced programming services for its popular 8- and 6-pin MC9RS08KA (KA) family of 8bit MCUs.
Freescale's RS08 ultra-low-end core is a simplified version of its high-performance low-power HCS08 architecture.
The core is 30% smaller and features a condensed instruction set, allowing compact and efficient coding of most embedded applications in small-pin-count devices with less than 16Kbyte of flash memory.
These changes offer engineers a simpler, faster way to get microcontroller-based applications to market.
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"Freescale has been a leading player in the 8bit market for years", said Fred Zieber, founder and president of Pathfinder Research.
"The introduction of this core positions Freescale to compete in the ultra-low-end, cost-sensitive 8bit market that has evolved over recent years due to the development of new categories of disposable electronics".
Freescale is developing a new version of the CodeWarrior Development Studio to support the RS08 core.
It is designed to accelerate application development with a built-in project wizard that helps create working projects in as few as seven clicks.
The RS08 represents some of the initial returns on Freescale's investment to strengthen its 8bit portfolio and is the starting point of a performance roadmap outlined today that will provide compatible peripherals and tools from 8 to 32bit.
"We have focused on providing 8bit solutions that are an easy-to-use alternative to simple logic", said Mike McCourt, Vice President and General Manager of Freescale's Microcontroller Division.
"We are surrounding the silicon with a support environment that delivers the training, tools and software that will help accelerate our customers' time to revenue".
The RS08 core will introduce a tiny and short addressing mode, which allows for more efficient access and manipulation of the most commonly used variables and registers.
Additionally, Freescale has added a shadow program counter to the core for more efficient subroutine calls.
The RS08 will use the same bus structure as the HCS08, which will enable the use of the same peripheral and memory modules.
In addition, both architectures will be supported by compatible debug interface hardware.
Freescale plans to announce a family of RS08-based processors in the spring of 2006.
Preliminary pricing targets the suggested resale range below US $0.50.
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