Integrated Technology Express Announces Single-Chip
Windows CE Peripheral Controller
Embedded Systems West (Booth 236), San Jose, Calif., Sept. 29, 1997 -- Integrated Technology Express, Inc. (ITEŽ) today announced a single-chip, peripheral controller for Windows CE 2.0. An important feature of the chip is a power management unit (PMU) that works with Windows CE to extend battery life by shutting off peripheral functions when they are not in use.
The IT8101 packs the key peripheral functions required to design Windows CE appliances such as handheld PCs, micro notebooks, DVD players, set-top boxes, wallet PCs, automobile PCs and car navigators. The highly integrated chip eliminates ASIC and multiple chip solutions, and will help engineers design Windows CE products that are lower cost, more compact and have longer battery life.
The new chip operates from a 3.3V supply and attaches directly to Hitachi's SH-3 series of 32-bit RISC processors, which run Windows CE. This includes the SH7709 (80 MHz) and future generations of this series.
According to Victor Lee, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, "The IT8101 packs, in the space of a quarter, the key peripheral functions engineers need to design the next
generation Windows CE appliances. We are applying technologies we have refined over the years by designing high-integration chip sets for use in personal computers. We will continue to devote extensive resources to the development of devices that support the future generations of Windows CE."
Mr. Lee continued, "Our advanced integration technologies allow us to pack the equivalent of ten pounds of circuits into a five pound bag, and our design expertise allows us to conceive circuits that provide important benefits such as lower power consumption that provides extended battery life."
Power Management Unit (PMU)
The power management unit in the IT8101 works with Windows CE to monitor the chip's internal functions including the VGA/LCD controller, infrared connection, PCMCIA interface, UART, RS-232 interface, interrupt controller and timers. If any of these functions are inactive beyond a programmable interval, they are shut down.
When there is activity in the peripherals, such as data coming into the UART, the PMU works with Windows CE to power them back on. The PMU also works with Windows CE to monitor and control external functions through the chip's GPIO (General Purpose I/O Port).
Other Key Functions
The LCD controller in the IT8101 provides a resolution of 640 X 240, and can generate from 256 up to 64,000 colors or 64 gray scales. The LCD manages up to 512 Kbytes of external video memory.
The PCMCIA controller supports two slots which allows a Windows CE appliance to accept
two PCMCIA cards at a time. The controller has a 3.3/5V select output switch
which enables it to work with both 3.3 and 5V PCMCIA cards. The IT8101 also has an
I2C interface that works with Miniature/CompactFlash cards.
The AFE circuit can be used to implement a 33.6 Kbps software modem. The AFE converts a
digital data stream into the signal levels needed to interface to CODECs. There
is also a built-in buffer which eliminates the need for a DMA during modem data transfers.
The IT8101 contains a second communication channel in the form of a 115.2 Kbps UART which includes a RS-232 interface. A third communication channel is included in the form of a IrDA interface for infrared connections. An I/O port provides 32 multifunction pins that can be used to input data, output data, or control external functions.
The interrupt controller in the IT8101 manages requests for service from internal peripherals, and external peripherals via the GPIO. The controller can be programmed to assign different levels of priority to each peripheral request and signal the processor regarding which peripheral is to receive service.
Availability and Price
The IT8101 is priced at $20 for a 208-pin, LQFP (Low-Profile Quad Flat Package) in quantities of 1,000. The chip also is available in a 208-pin, PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Package). Both devices are sampling now with production in Q4 1997.
Reader Contact (Asia)
Willy Peng, Manager, Sales, Integrated Technology Express, Inc., 15F, No. 376, Jen-Ai Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei, Taiwan 106, R.O.C. Telephone: [886]-(2) 2707-9589 X6078. Fax: [886]-(2)-2708-8389. e-mail: willy.peng@ite.com.tw website: www.ite.com.tw
Reader Contact (USA)
David Lin, Director, Sales & Marketing, Integrated Technology Express, Inc. 2710 Walsh Ave. Santa Clara, CA 95051 Telephone: [1] (408) 980-8168 X230 Fax: [1] (408) 980-9232 email: david.lin@iteusa.com website: www.iteusa.com
About Integrated Express Technology, Inc.
Integrated Express Technology, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in Silicon Valley. The company is in the business of designing and selling high-integration chips that allow engineers to design compact and low power products. The company has expertise in the areas of computer core-logic, peripherals, LCD VGA and power management.
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ITE is a registered trademark of Integrated Express Technology, Inc. Windows CE is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.