Winbond offers 8-bit MCUs with in-system programmable flash

Winbond offers 8-bit MCUs with in-system programmable flash
By Semiconductor Business News
September 7, 2000 (7:12 p.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20000907S0073

SAN JOSE -- Winbond Electronics Corp.'s U.S. subsidiary here today introduced two new 8-inch microcontrollers, featuring in-system programming using flash memory technology. The MCUs reduce the chip count for in-system programming functions to one device vs. three with other designs, according to Taiwan-based Winbond.

The W78LE58 contains 32-Kbytes of flash, while the W78LE516 has 64-Kbytes of flash memory. Both microcontrollers are aimed at consumer and communication applications requiring reprogramming capabilities. The chips operate on power supplies of 2.4 to 5.5 volts.

The W78LE58 and W78LE516 are based on the 8052 microcontroller architecture. They feature up to 24-MHz operating frequency and special data scrambling feature for ROM security.

Each 8-bit microcontroller has 32-Kbytes or 64-Kbytes of multi-time programmable (MTP) flash ROM for application code, and 4-Kbytes of MTP ROM for in-system program code that is downloaded thr ough a on-chip serial port or parallel I/O ports.

The controllers are housed in 40-pin DIPs, 44 pin PLCCs and 44 pin PQFPs. Samples are now available. Volume quantity pricing has been set at $3.50 each for the 32-Kbyte flash device and $5 each for the 64-Kbyte flash MCU.