Intel Introduces High Performance 16-Bit Microcontroller With Integrated Digital Signal Processing Capability

First Product Based on New 16-Bit Architecture

CHANDLER, Ariz., Sept. 16, 1996 -- Intel Corporation today announced the availability of the high performance 80296SA microcontroller with integrated Digital Signal Processing (DSP) capability. The new controller is the first product based on the MCS® 296 architecture, Intel’s next generation 16-bit MCS® 96 architecture. With its high performance and integrated DSP capability, the 80296SA microcontroller is attractive for control-orientated environments where DSP functions, such as digital filtering, are required.

Product Features Today, embedded applications require microcontrollers to handle high speed mathematical calculations and input/output operations. To help meet these needs, the 80296SA microcontroller can operate up to 50MHz, making it the highest performing microcontroller with integrated DSP capability. At 50MHz, the 80296SA microcontroller can execute a single instruction in 40 nanoseconds, providing up to a 5X increase in performance over Intel’s earlier 20MHz 8xC196KC microcontroller.

In addition to its high performance, the 80296SA microcontroller features integrated DSP capabilities that enable it to perform mathematical calculations. In control-orientated environments, the traditional stand alone DSP processors perform computation-intensive DSP algorithms which typically consist of a series of repeated multiply and accumulate instructions. With integrated DSP features like the hardware multiply and accumulate instruction (MAC) unit and the 32-bit barrel shifter, the 80296SA microcontroller can perform multiply and accumulate instructions in 80 nanoseconds, which is equal to 12.5 DSP MIPS. By integrating DSP capability onto the microcontroller, Intel provides designers with a one-chip solution that helps to reduce component costs, board space, improved quality and better manufacturability.

MCS® 296 Architecture

In order for the CPU to achieve 16 general purpose MIPS, the 80296SA microcontroller is based on Intel’s next generation architecture, the MCS 296 architecture. The new architecture features a 4-stage pipeline instruction unit, enabling the microcontroller to execute many instructions in a single state, thus significantly boosting its performance.

The MCS 296 architecture provides existing MCS 96 controller customers with a clear upgrade path. The new architecture is compatible with the MCS 96 controller instruction set and the 80296SA microcontroller is source and binary code-compatible with 8xC196NU and NP microcontrollers, thus protecting existing software investment. The 80296SA microcontroller, offered in a 100-lead QFP (Quad Flat Pack) package, is also pin-compatible with the 8xC196NU and NP microcontrollers.

Applications

Applications for the 80296SA microcontroller include existing MCS® 96 applications that need increased math performance. The 80296SA microcontroller can also be used in communication applications such as fax/modem cards, event control applications such as motor control and PC-related devices such as scanners, copiers, printers and optical drives.

The 80296SA is extremely useful in situations where fast response to external events are required and at the same time DSP functionality (digital filtering) is needed. The 80296SA microcontroller lends itself neatly into applications such as hard disk drives where using servo control, the moving pick up head, can move fast and accurate from track to track.

Tools Support

The 80296SA microcontroller is supported by multiple vendors who supply hardware and software development tools such as emulators, compilers, assemblers, debuggers and simulators. Some of these development tool vendors include: Chiptools, Kontron Elektronik, IAR Systems, Nohau and Tasking. Evaluation boards for the 80296SA microcontroller will be available for shipping with a complete set of demo tools from Intel and third party vendors.

Pricing/Availability

Samples of the 80296SA microcontroller, in 100-lead QFP packages, are available now with volume production anticipated in September 1996. The U.S. suggested list price is $14.75 for 10K unit quantities for the 50MHz version and $12.85 for 10K unit quantities for the 40MHz version.

For more information see MCS 296 Backgrounder and MCS® 96.

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