Another MMC design win!
Cheers,
Derek
SAN JOSE, CALIF. (June 1) BUSINESS WIRE -June 1, 1999--LinkUp Systems Corporation today announced the support of the MultiMediaCard Standard in its L7200 system-on-silicon product.
The L7200 provides the first announced hardware implementation of the MultiMediaCard interface in the industry that results in a fast 2MB/sec-transfer rate between host memory and storage media.
The L7200 is a system solution for Palm-size PC, smart cellular phones, communicators, and other Internet appliances. It is the result of a technology partnership with LG Semicon and incorporates an ARM720T processor core, which features 8kbyte cache, write buffer, memory management unit, together with several highly integrated system peripherals and a DSP co-processor. The L7200 will be fabricated by LG Semicon on a 0.35(mu) process.
The L7200 has built-in SDRAM controller, SRAM/ROM/Flash memory controller, and mono and color LCD controllers. DMA backed support is provided for on-chip serial communication controllers, such as UARTs (2), slow/medium/fast IrDA, master/slave Synchronous Serial Port (SSP), and SPI(TM) interface. The L7200 implements the Smart Card interface that conforms to the Europay, MasterCard, Visa (EMV) standard for applications in set-top boxes for authentication and bill payments. The L7200 supports all three major mass storage media - PC Card, Compact Flash, and MultiMediaCard. On chip crystal oscillator, PLL, two DC-to-DC Converter interfaces, and 52 GPIO pins provide flexibility to the system designer, reduce external component count and system cost.
The L7200 is optimized for Windows CE and other major RTOS. LinkUp provides extensive development system support which include the following: Microsoft Hardware Reference Platform (HARP) compliant Standard Development Board (L7200SDB), low-level drivers and API (L7200API), and a complete set of tools (L7200TLK). The debug environment consists of ARM debug monitor and ARM Multi-ICE(TM) In-Circuit Emulator through JTAG interface. For Windows CE-based development, LinkUp provides Windows CE drivers and OAL (L7200OAL).
The L7200 achieves many firsts in the industry. It is the first announced ARM720T based system solution. It is the first ARM based chip with Windows CE support. The L7200 is the first silicon system ASIC chip to implement the MultiMediaCard interface.
"We are pleased to announce the support of MultiMediaCard standard in our L7200 product. The MultiMediaCard standard promotes the unique advantages of Flash and ROM solid state memory technology, towards a wide range of hand-held consumer and communication products," said Ravi Bhatnagar, President and CEO, LinkUp Systems. "The rich set of on-chip peripheral controllers combined with MultiMediaCard support makes L7200 an ideal device for applications in Palm-size PC, smart phones, digital answering machines, voice recorders, MP3 music players, GPS, and ebooks. With the support of MultiMediaCard standard on L7200, it is now possible for the System OEM to develop flash-less systems by storing the OS and applications in the MultiMediaCard. The boot from MMC feature of L7200 allows the download of the OS and applications to SDRAM for execution. This results in considerable savings in the system cost."
MultiMediaCards are a new standard in data storage providing small-size, high capacity storage and connectivity to handheld communication devices. MultiMediaCards take Flash and ROM technology one-step further by bringing removable solid state storage to portable smart phones, cellular phones and pagers. Storage capacities for up to 32 MB are available now and capacities up to 64MB will be introduced later in 1999.
These high capacities will permit the OEM to design very innovative systems. SanDisk and a coalition of other companies developed the MultMediaCards, which subsequently became what is now called, the System Specification 2.0, that is administered by an independent third-party organization known as the MMCA.
"We have had a lengthy partnership with LinkUp Systems during which time we have been working with LinkUp in developing applications for L7200 product," said Wes Brewer, SanDisk director of marketing strategies. "With the combination of its advanced features and MultiMediaCard capability, SanDisk expects that the L7200 will become the backbone of many new high performance, low power handheld computing systems."
Commenting on the L7200 support of MultiMediaCard standard, Executive Director of MultiMediaCard Association, Andy Prophet said, "The L7200 is the first MultiMediaCard hardware interface to comply with the System Specification 2.0. We expect this product will fuel the development of many new applications and move MultiMediaCards closer to becoming a worldwide standard for small form factor memory cards."
Sample of L7200 will be available in July with production targeted for Aug. '99. The SDB Development System, L7200 Toolkit, Windows CE drivers/OAL, and L7200 API are available now. About LinkUp Systems
Founded in 1997, LinkUp Systems Corporation provides ARM-based system-on-silicon products -- targeting the fast growing Internet appliance and consumer electronics market. The company's products are optimized for low power portable applications (such as Palm-size PC, Smart phone, and electronic book), high performance desktop solutions (such as Screen phone), and multimedia embedded markets. LinkUp also provides support chips for Intel's StrongARM(R) SA-1100 integrated processor. The company is headquartered at 1190 Coleman Avenue, Suite 2C, San Jose, CA 95110. More information is available at linkupsys.com. About SanDisk Corporation
SanDisk Corporation, the world's largest supplier of flash data storage products, designs, manufactures and markets industry-standard, solid-state data, digital imaging and audio storage products using its patented, high density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk is based in Sunnyvale, CA. More information about SanDisk and the MultiMediaCard is available on the company's web site/home page address at sandisk.com. About MultiMediaCard Association
The MultiMediaCard Association was formed in 1998 to promote the worldwide adoption of the MultiMediaCard Standard. Its charter is to drive worldwide acceptance of MultiMediaCards as an industry standard across multiple host platforms and markets, promote alternate sourcing, ensure compatibility of MultiMediaCard storage products, and evolve the MultiMediaCard standard while ensuring backward compatibility. More information is available at mmca.org
Editor's Notes: Microsoft and Windows CE are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. ARM, Thumb, StrongARM, and ARM Powered are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM720Tand Multi-ICE are trademark of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.
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