ATMEL ADDS 8-BIT FLASH MICROCONTROLLER WITH SPI
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Atmel Corporation (Nasdaq:
ATML) announced today that it has broadened its Flash-based
microcontroller line with the addition of the first of a family of
second-generation devices that offer in-system programmable Flash memory
through a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) and on-chip electrically
erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
This new "S Series" offers SPI capability, which, when combined with
Atmel's on-chip Flash memory, "brings a new dimension of flexibility to
the users of microcontrollers," explained John Bryant, Atmel's director
of marketing for microcontrollers. "Manufacturers can now alter or
update their equipment in their plant or at their customer's location
through a simple 4- pin connector," Bryant added.
The first of these new S Series circuits, the AT89S8252, is a 24 MHz
device with 8K bytes of on-chip Flash memory, and is available now in
production quantities. All of Atmel's microcontrollers use Flash
read-only memory technology because it is in-system programmable and
does not require an ultraviolet (UV) erase step.
On-Command Video, the leading supplier of video-on-demand for the hotel
industry, will take full advantage of the in-system programmability of
the AT89S8252. "The traditionally costly and time consuming field
updates can now be handled through reconfiguring the Atmel AT89S8252 via
TV-cable connection," said Senior Design Engineer, Mike McConkey, "In
essence, this allows us to go to market faster without worries."
The 2K bytes of on-chip EEPROM included on the AT89S8252 enhances and
increases design flexibility and allows, in many instances, the
elimination of an additional EEPROM device from the system. By
transferring EEPROM functions from an individual device to within the
microcontroller, designers save manufacturing costs by reducing board
space and power and cutting assembly time. The EEPROM is guaranteed for
100,000 erase/write cycles, making it ideal for data-logging
applications.
"The in-system programmability of the AT89S8252 will shorten design
times, cut manufacturing cycles and reduce costs," Bryant said. And,
because the new S Series can easily be reprogrammed through a 4-pin
connector, manufacturers will not have to use a board socket for the
microcontroller. The combination of Flash memory and SPI fosters
end-of-the-line or just-in-time system configuration, adding to
manufacturing flexibility and lowering system costs. Because the
microcontroller can be changed easily, manufacturers can get new
products to market faster. The code in the microcontroller can even be
changed without stopping a production line.
During normal operation this microcontroller can function as an SPI
master that allows it to communicate with various SPI slave
peripherals.
This new Atmel device also features a programmable watchdog timer that
automatically resets the processor when it times out.
The AT89S8252 is upward socket compatible with the industry standard
8XC52 microcontroller. The device has 32 input/output lines, three
16-bit timer/counters, a nine-source, two-level interrupt architecture,
a full-duplex serial port and on-chip oscillator and clock circuitry.
Because this Atmel microcontroller uses the same data instruction set as
the Intel MCS-51(TM) family it uses the same off-the-shelf tools for
development, debugging and testing.
The AT89S8252 is available in a 40-lead PDIP and in 44-pin PLCC, PQFP,
and TQFP. Prices for the AT89S8252 start at $14 each, for PDIP packages
in quantities of 1000 units.
Headquartered in San Jose, California, with principal manufacturing
facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado and in Rousset, France, Atmel
designs, develops, manufactures, and markets on a worldwide basis Flash,
EEPROMs, and EPROMs, as well as programmable logic, microcontrollers,
and application-specific devices.
Atmel product and financial information can be retrieved from its Fax-on-
Demand service. In North America call 1-(800) 29-ATMEL / 1-(800)
292-8635. International, from a fax phone, call 1-(408) 441-0732. You
can send your request via e-mail to literature@atmel.com or visit
Atmel's Web site at atmel.com
NOTE: Terms and product names in this document may be trademarks of
others.
SOURCE Atmel Corp.
-0- 10/14/96 /CONTACT: Joe Yu,
408-487-4867; or Francesca Venezia, 408-451-2855/ (ATML)
CO: Atmel Corp. ST: California IN: CPR SU: PDT
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