New 8-Bit One-Time-Programmable Microcontrollers From Toshiba Controls Small Electronic Home Appliances

Compact 8MHz MCU Has Optimal Feature Set for Space-Constrained Designs

SAN JOSE, Calif., February 26, 2003 -- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* today announced the introduction of a new 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) that provides an optimal solution for system control of small electric home appliances. The chip integrates a high-performance 8-bit CPU core with on-board memory in a compact 20-pin Dual In-line Package (DIP) small enough for size-sensitive appliance designs. Samples are available now with volume production scheduled to start in March 2003.

"Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in microcontrollers and non-volatile memory, is now enhancing its microcontroller product offering by introducing a new low-cost One-Time-Programmable (OTP) microcontroller that can operate at 8 megahertz (MHz). Toshiba continues to see growth in the low-end microcontroller market as 8-bit MCUs proliferate in high-volume, small electric home appliance applications," said Farhad Mafie, vice president of the ASSP Business Unit at TAEC.

The device comes in two versions: the TMP86P202P supports a ceramic or crystal resonator and the TMP86P203P supports a resistance-capacitance (RC) resonator. Each of these microcontrollers incorporates 2 Kbytes of OTP memory and 128 bytes of Random Access Memory (RAM). Each MCU includes two channels of 8-bit timer/counter and four channels of 8-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, ideally suited for control of small electric home appliances such as irons, crock pots and electric shavers.

According to Don Schneider, business development manager of the ASSP Business Unit at TAEC, "The TMP86P202/3P MCUs are targeted at small appliance designs that require a minimal peripheral set that includes A/D converters in combination with quick production turn-around time and low cost."

Key Features
Key features of the MCU are as follows:

• High-speed operation of 8MHz at 4.5V is attained in the TMP86P202P by combining the Toshiba proprietary 8-bit microprocessor 870/C core with compact OTP. The result is a microcontroller ideal for small home appliances where high-speed is crucial.
  
• The TMP86P202P supports either a ceramic or crystal resonator while the TMP86P203P supports an external RC resonator. The latter version offers further system cost reductions for applications that do not require timer precision.
  
• Built-in OTP enables end product manufacturers to perform programming, thus contributing to faster timer-to-market. This feature also facilitates small-lot, diversified applications.
  
• Housed in a space-saving 20-pin DIP, the chip can be easily mounted on a user board.

Toshiba developed the new 8-bit MCU in response to growing demand for low-cost, high-performance MCUs in the small home electric appliances market. Based on a high-performance 8-bit CPU core, the new device uses OTP as program Read Only Memory (ROM), which improves turnaround time from application development to product launch. Other distinguishing features include low price and compact size, which are attained by the optimization of functions.

Pricing and Availability
Samples of TMP86P202P and TMP86P203P are available now at $1.67 per piece in 100 piece quantities. Volume production is scheduled to begin in March 2003.

Technical Specification Summary

*About TAEC
Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes semiconductors, flash memory-based storage solutions, optical communication devices, displays and rechargeable batteries for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.

TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba, the second largest semiconductor company worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2001 according to Gartner/Dataquest's Worldwide Semiconductor Market Share Ranking. Toshiba is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's website at chips.toshiba.com.