MCU Drives Down Fast Ethernet Chip Counts

Tempting designers with a complete, single-chip 10/100 Ethernet device, the 16-bit MC9S12NE64 microcontroller is meant to replace comparable multi-chip Ethernet offerings. The device is based on the company?s HCS12 central processing unit and provides a communications stack, flash memory, RAM, MAC controller, and PHY transceiver. Features include: 64 KB of third-generation flash memory; a 25-MHz HCS12 core; a 10-bit, 8-channel a/d converter; clock generation module with a PLL; a 4-channel, 16-bit timer; two SCIs and one SPI running at speeds up to 6.25 Mb/s; and 8 KB of static RAM. Furthermore, to demonstrate the device?s capabilities, a fully functional web server occupying about one square inch of printed circuit board space is available on the company's web site. Available in either an 80-pin TQFP-EP or 112-pin LQFP, prices are $8.50 and $8.80 each/10,000, respectively. FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC., Austin, TX. (800) 521-6274.