Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Zilog | Subject: Z8 Encore! XP
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 16 December 2005
MCU leads the charge in VoIP adapter
International communications technology leader Arris is using Zilog's award-winning Z8 Encore! XP MCU in its next-generation embedded multimedia terminal adapter with VoIP.
International communications technology leader Arris has selected Zilog's award-winning Z8 Encore! XP MCU for use in the design of its next-generation embedded multimedia terminal adapter (E-MTA) with voice over IP (VoIP) - the Touchstone TM502 telephony modem Arris is one of the leading suppliers of E-MTAs and cable modems and has been at the forefront of the VoIP revolution, securing significant market share in this emerging sector
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 28 Feb 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Small-footprint MCU is a "tiny dynamo"
Zilog has expanded its product portfolio by launching an innovative 8-pin low-cost small-footprint addition to its award-winning Z8 Encore! XP family of microcontrollers.
Microcontroller gets more Flash
Zilog has expanded its product portfolio with the roll-out of the F08xA, an 8Kbyte Flash memory addition to its award-winning Z8 Encore! XP microcontroller line.
Two significant milestones have been crucial to the successful implementation of VoIP: the standardisation of VoIP protocol, and the development of battery and semiconductor technology allowing uninterrupted VoIP operation during extended power disruptions.
Delivering two lines of primary line VoIP along with high-speed data access, the Arris TM502 E-MTA uses the Z8 Encore! XP to manage the functional block dedicated to monitoring, testing and charging the unit's batteries, enabling cable operators to offer either four hours or eight hours of uninterrupted telephony service during power outages.
The integration of Zilog's high speed analogue-digital convertor (ADC) on-chip was a major contributory factor in Arris selecting the Z8 Encore! 4k, as this plays an important role, offering 14bit resolution, which is required to maintain the integrity of the lithium ion in the battery block.
Further reading
Development kits Spring into action
For a limited time only, development kits for the Zilog Z8 Encore! XP 8-pin microcontroller will be available for just US $9.95, a huge 80% discount on the regular US $49.95 retail price.
Buy one dev kit, get one free and win a prize
Zilog is offering a free Z8 Encore! XP development kit with each purchase of its Z8 Encore! MC development kit - and to add more spice, there is a free prize draw.
Flash microcontroller runs down to 1.8V
The new F1680 Series is claimed to offer Zilog customers the best cost/performance solution of any 8bit mixed mode Flash MCU for a variety of applications.
In addition, Arris made full use of the Encore! XP's other on-chip peripherals, such as the temperature sensor and op amp, which also tied into the operation of the battery block and reduced the bill of materials and external component count, resulting in a significant reduction in overall system cost.
"Having the Z8 Encore! XP designed into the new Arris E-MTA is a significant win for Zilog that strengthens and formalises our working relationship with them as a new customer", observed Zilog CEO and Chairman Jim Thorburn.
"It reinforces our position as a leading supplier of microcontrollers for use in battery-charging applications and highlights the increased levels of integration that this product line offers.
The battery-charging block is a key area of differentiation with the TM502 E-MTA, and the technology Arris developed using the Z8 Encore! XP is an important element of this differentiation.
Our overall system cost and product offering in this area was the strongest and these factors, coupled with the levels of support offered by our engineers to help the customer develop their product, were precisely why we succeeded over our main competitors, including the incumbent supplier.
We look forward to a long and mutually successful relationship with Arris".
Commenting on the relationship with Zilog, Tony Andruzzi, Engineering Director at Arris Broadband's CPE Division added: "The Arris Touchstone portfolio of products has proven extremely successful, leading the way in voice, data and VoIP services".
"We selected the Z8 Encore! XP microcontroller to manage the battery charging block in the TM502 because we felt that this was an area where Zilog particularly excelled in terms of integration, quality, overall package and support, all elements that will enable Arris to continue to offer the best value telephony products on the market today".
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