NEC Electronics Introduces 32-bit V850 Microcontroller Series with Flash Memory

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NEC Electronics today unveiled 33 additions to its V850 series of high performance, 32-bit general purpose microcontrollers (MCUs). The devices are the first V850 series MCUs with embedded flash memory, designed to facilitate more efficient development of applications. The new products include the V850ES/Hx2 series for analog systems such as sensors, the V850ES/Jx2 series for digital consumer electronics and other systems requiring complex, multi-functional and high speed operations, and V850ES/Kx2 series, for traditional consumer applications with a wide range of voltage requirements.

General purpose MCUs with embedded flash memory have gained popularity in recent years over traditional MCUs manufactured using mask ROM methods that are limited to one-time programmability. Although mask ROM methods are effective for high volume manufacturing, the trend in many industries is toward producing a wide array of products with high performance requirements in smaller quantities and faster time to market, resulting in demand for greater flexibility and reprogrammability. Flash MCUs, which allow users to rewrite software multiple times, even after manufacturing or implementation in a device, make it possible to dramatically shorten development times for applications, reduce total system costs, and time required for manufacturing.

"NEC Electronics has introduced its 'All Flash' concept with the aim of transitioning the company's entire lineup of general purpose microcontrollers to MCUs with embedded flash memory," stated Yoichi Yano, vice president, 4th Systems Operations Unit, NEC Electronics. "Our aim is to help customers bring a wider array of applications to market quickly and cost effectively with the flexibility and convenience of our 32-bit and 8-bit flash MCU flash lineup, together with our easy-to-use development tools and programming support services."

NEC Electronics currently offers the industry's most comprehensive lineup of 8-bit general purpose MCUs with embedded flash memory. With the addition of 33 new 32-bit products, the company now boasts the industry's largest offering of flash microcontrollers, with 145 products in a variety of memory and package options ideal for a wide array of applications such as sensors, digital consumer electronics, and industrial devices. The entire lineup of NEC Electronics' flash MCUs features simple software programmability based on a single architecture, enabling customers to minimize the equipment necessary to manufacture their products.

NEC Electronics also offers high performance development tools to facilitate device development, including a real-time operating system to manage task execution of applications programs, as well as a suite of voice and networking software to further facilitate development. Utilizing these applications, customers can focus their efforts on developing application software and reduce development times and system costs for the types of large-scale devices that utilize 32-bit MCUs.

For customers who prefer to outsource software development, NEC Electronics offers services that can reduce the time and costs involved in flash programming, enabling up to 50% reduction in time-to-market compared to mask ROM products. Services include programming the microcontrollers prior to shipment from NEC Electronics' manufacturing lines, developing programming equipment for use in the customer's own manufacturing lines, as well as other services through NEC Electronics' partner companies.

For added convenience, NEC Electronics also offers the easy-to-use and affordable MINICUBE® on-chip debugger, which facilitates MCU software development and verification, a simplified programmer for writing software to the flash memory, and the X0850 automated verification system.

For more information about NEC Electronics' lineup of flash MCUs, please visit http://www.necel.com/micro/english/product/sc/allflash/

Pricing and Availability
The V850 series microcontrollers with embedded flash memory are available from October 2005. Mass production is scheduled to begin in January 2006. Pricing varies according to product specifications.

About NEC Electronics

NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets, system solutions for the mobile handsets, PC peripherals, automotive and digital consumer markets, and multi-market solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics Corporation has 26 subsidiaries worldwide including NEC Electronics America, Inc. (www.am.necel.com) and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH (www.eu.necel.com). For additional information about NEC Electronics worldwide, visit www.necel.com.