NEC Electronics Launches VR4102 MIPS RISC Processor
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — April 7, 1997 — NEC Electronics Inc. today announced the NEC VR4102 processor, a high-speed, low-power 64-bit MIPS RISC microprocessor with enhanced on-chip peripheral functions.
The VR4102 device offers higher performance than its predecessor, the VR4101(TM) microprocessor, and offers peripheral enhancements including a "soft modem" that eliminates the need for a separate modem chip. The VR4102 processor is designed for Windows(TM) CE-based handheld PCs (HPCs), smartphones, Internet phones, advanced pagers and other battery-powered and embedded applications.
With a maximum operating speed of 66MHz, the new VR4102 processor includes advanced power management features that deliver performance of 320 MIPS/Watt and can emulate a modem using PC-TEL's HSP Modem(TM) technology.
Combining peripheral capabilities in a single device for Windows CE, the VR4102 processor integrates peripherals that allow access to LCD screens, touchscreens, keyboards, PC cards and serial I/O ports, as well as a high-speed (4 Mbps) infrared (IR) interface, a digital audio interface and a large-capacity memory controller.
As a second-generation microprocessor, the advanced VR4102 device is specifically designed to support the Windows CE platform. Packaged in a 216-pin low-profile quad flat pack (LQFP), the VR4102 device expands NEC's VR4100(TM) family and opens the way to high-performance HPCs with advanced peripheral functions.
"Since the successful introduction of Microsoft's Windows CE in November 1996, the market has quickly defined the requirements of a second-generation processor capable of powering HPCs," said Katsu Itagaki, advanced engineering marketing manager for NEC Electronics. "NEC's VR4102 MIPS RISC CPU, with its higher performance, advanced power management and soft modem, offers a sensibly priced, single-chip solution that will allow system manufacturers to create a new generation of handheld PCs and other communications devices."
The VR4102 Microprocessor
NEC's VR4102 microprocessor is an NEC design based on the VR4100 64-bit MIPS RISC microprocessor CPU core, which is designed for high performance with low power consumption. Achieving a performance rated at 80 MIPS, the VR4102 processor has a maximum operating speed of 66MHz and has a 4K instruction cache (double the conventional capacity) and a 1K data cache on the chip.
During development of the VR4102, emphasis was placed on raising the performance while keeping the power consumption low in order to optimize battery life, a critical feature for HPCs. Throughput has been improved through the use of a 32-bit memory bus.
Operating from 3.0 to 3.6 volts, the VR4102 processor uses only 250 mW of power (at 66 MHz and 3.3 V, typical) and delivers a power consumption/performance ratio of 320 MIPS/Watt(1). In addition, the new processor offers three power consumption modes: Standby, Suspend and Hibernate.
The VR4102 processor integrates peripherals that allow access to LCD screens, touchscreens, keyboards, PC Cards and serial I/O, as well as an IrDA(TM) interface supporting high-speed (4 Mbps) communication with a host PC, a digital audio interface and a large-capacity memory controller. With key peripheral functions integrated on-chip, the design of compact and low-cost systems can be simplified, eliminating the necessity to develop external ASICs and speeding time-to-market.
With a MAC (multiply and accumulate) functionality, the VR4102 emulates a modem by integrating Host Signal Processing (HSP) data and fax modem capabilities from PC-TEL. This industry-leading feature allows soft modem capability, the emulation of modem functions by software on the main CPU that eliminates the need for a separate, dedicated modem or digital signal processor (DSP).
"The NEC VR4102 MIPS processor is a well-priced, single-chip solution that offers systems designers excellent power and performance," said Arnold Estep, marketing manager for NEC Electronics' systems application engineering group. "The combination of performance, power conservation, integrated peripherals and built-in modem functionality offered by the VR4102 will let systems designers create advanced new products and speed their time to market."
Development Tools NEC Electronics Inc. and Microsoft Corporation have created development tools for Windows CE-based HPCs based on the VR4101 and VR4102 CPU. The software development kit (SDK) is available now.
A variety of tools, including compilers, operating systems and debuggers that support the MIPS RISC architecture, can be used to develop VR4102-based systems that do not use the Windows CE platform, enabling the designers to select the most efficient development environment for their particular applications.
NEC: The Complete OEM Solution for Windows CE NEC plans to leverage its vast ASIC library, containing nearly 1,000 peripheral modules, as well as the company's leadership in core and process technology to provide customers with a full range of solutions based on the VR4102 processor. NEC's U.S. Design Team(TM) is also available to help designers quickly create semiconductor components for their leading-edge HPCs and other products based on Windows CE.
Pricing and Availability Sampling now and available in volume production in July, the VR4102's price is expected to be under $ 25 in units of 10,000. Pricing and availability are subject to change. An NEC representative will have current information.
NEC's VR-Series Microprocessors NEC licenses the MIPS RISC technology from the MIPS Group of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Based on this technology, NEC designs and manufactures the VR Series(TM) of high-performance microprocessors. The company offers a broad line of MIPS-based microprocessors, including the VR4100, VR4101, VR4102, VR4300(TM), VR4400(TM), VR5000(TM) and VR10000(TM).
About NEC Electronics Inc. NEC Electronics Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., designs, manufactures and markets an extensive line of electronic products including ASICs, microprocessors and microcontrollers, 3D graphics accelerators, digital signal processors (DSPs), memories and components including flat panel displays. In 1996, the company ranked third in semiconductor sales in the U.S.(2)
The company operates a 709,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Roseville, Calif. NEC Electronics is an affiliate of NEC Corporation (NIPNY), a $ 41 billion international manufacturer of computer, communications and semiconductor products. For more information about products offered by NEC Electronics Inc., visit the NEC U.S. website at http://www.nec.com . 1 – Developed by MicroDesign Resources, this is the pre-eminent benchmark for processors used in battery-powered applications. 2 – According to Dataquest (1/97)
Note to Editors: NEC, VR Series, VR4000, VR4100, VR4101, VR4102, VR4200, VR4300, VR4400, VR5000 and VR10000 are registered trademarks or trademarks of NEC Corp. U.S. Design Team is a trademark of NEC Electronics Inc. MIPS is a trademark of Silicon Graphics Inc., MIPS Group. Windows and Windows CE are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
CONTACT:
NEC Electronics Inc.
Jim Lucas, 408/588-6620
[email protected]
or
Literature Hotline, 800/366-9782
or
Cohn & Wolfe
Denise Viereck, 408/588-6289
[email protected]