Sharp Enhances Microcontroller Operating Speed Over Industrial Temperature Range

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Sharp Microelectronics Enhances Operating Speed Over Industrial Temperature Range
High-Performance 32-bit Microcontrollers Ideal for Industrial Applications

CAMAS, Wash., February 7, 2006

WHO:  Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas, Camas, Wash., the US-based microelectronics sales and marketing unit of Japan’s Sharp Corporation. Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas is also the global development center for Microcontroller and System-on-Chip products based on the popular ARM7 and ARM9 cores.

WHAT:  Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas announces the upgraded operating range for its BlueStreakTM ARM9-based 32-bit System-on-Chip devices. The 245 MHz LH7A400 and 266 MHz LH7A404 are now fully qualified from -40 to +85C, making them ideal for industrial applications. This expanded temperature range for the high-speed SoCs demonstrates Sharp’s ongoing commitment to meet its customers’ design needs for advanced, high-performance components.

SoCs for Industrial Applications
This performance enhancement enables the SoCs to operate in industrial applications on the factory floor and in outdoor conditions. Among the applications for these components are process control and programmable logic control systems for factory automation, human machine interfaces such as ATMs, outdoor kiosks used for mass-transit and public information, and security/surveillance.

The LH7A400/LH7A404’s high processing power and comprehensive features are designed to fulfill many different application needs, offering an exceptional level of integration and extremely low power consumption. Combined with a low system cost, the SoCs provide reliable solutions to industrial design challenges.

Sharp’s LH7A400/LH7A404 SoCs are also ideally suited for next-generation mobile devices such as handheld gaming, portable media players and portable DVD players. These components also offer outstanding performance for PDAs, GPS devices, instrumentation, and portable medical equipment.

SoC/MCU Highlights from Sharp Microelectronics
Based on the popular ARM922TTM core, Sharp’s SoCs feature such peripherals as a programmable LCD controller with integrated touch screen support plus many more features. A full list of product specifications for both components is available at www.sharpmcu.com.

Sharp offers low cost development tools to support these components. Available from its distributors, the development tools include a low-cost software development kit, developed by Logic Product Development. In addition, comprehensive software and documentation are available via Sharp’s BlueStreak Software Library, http://able.sharpsma.com.

AVAILABILITY: The enhanced LH7A400 and LH7A404 SoCs are currently in production and available in sample quantities.


Note: All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. ARM9 is a trademark of ARM Limited.  All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.  ARM is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and NASDAQ: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; and ARM Belgium N.V.

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Media contact:
Toni Cole
Young & Roehr Group
503.222.0626 ext. 730
tcole@young-roehr.com