NEC: Press Release 2000/6/19-02

Press Release


*****For immediate use June 19^th, 2000

NEC Announces World's Lowest Power Dissipation IEEE1394 PHY Devices in Compact Packaging

TOKYO June 19^th, 2000 - NEC Corporation (NEC) (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) will begin sampling from July of two new IEEE1394 physical layer (PHY) devices in compact packages with the world's lowest power dissipation for applications with strict power consumption and space requirements, such as in digital consumer electronics.

The two new devices, the µPD72851 and the µPD72852 offer greater power savings than conventional devices that support a bandwidth of 400 megabits per second (Mbps). The µPD72851 offers 150mW (typ.) dissipation, while the µPD72852 consumes 240mW (typ.), overcoming obstacles to deployment of IEEE1394 in battery-operated consumer electronics such as digital video cameras.

In addition, the considerable cost performance merit of the devices is also supported by other major features such as their conformity to the latest incarnation of the IEEE1394 standard, P1394aDraft5.0, full interoperability, and compact packaging that is 18-26% smaller than NEC's current device, the µPD72850A. The reduced package size was achieved by offering a single port on the µPD72851 and dual ports on the µPD72852 for reduced costs. The µPD72851 and µPD72852 are available in a 48-pin shrink small outline package (SSOP) and a 64-pin low quad flat package (LQFP) respectively.

Increasing moves towards the digitalization of media thanks to the increasing penetration of the Internet in society and the start of digital broadcasting, are leading equipment and audio-visual companies to look at digitalization of their products. IEEE1394 offers the ability for these products to interface with a multiple of other devices either independently of, or with a personal computer at a current rate of between 100-400Mbps bandwidth over a relatively wide area. Already the interface is being used in digital video cameras (DVC) as well as consumer-oriented PCs but it is additionally being seen as the most suitable basis for future home networks.

So far, application of IEEE1394 in DVCs has proved important for the growth of the standard but it has been limited to a data transfer bandwidth of 100Mbps. NEC's current µPD72850A PHY LSI, however, is based on the P1394a draft 2.0 of the IEEE1394 standard and offers three 400Mbps-compliant ports for use in PCs and peripherals, such as rewritable CD drives (CD-RW). It is seen as a highly reliable part offering full intercompatibility.

NEC's new products build on the significant experience gained with the µPD72850A, and are aimed at the market for digital video cameras and other digital consumer electronics, where the company intends to significantly raise its share of the market. Volume production is planned to begin from September at a combined rate for the new products of 300,000 units per month.

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                        Media Contact:
                        Aston Bridgman
                        NEC Corporation
                        TEL   :+81-3-3798-6511
                        FAX   :+81-3-3457-7249
                        E-mail:Aston_Bridgman@HO-PRD.ccgw.nec.co.jp