Networked Microcontroller Provides Low-Cost Connectivity

Connecting products directly to IP networks and priced at less than $9 each/1,000, the DS80C400 microcontroller is designed to provide a low-cost means of embedding network connectivity capabilities in MP3 audio players, web cameras, vending machines, home/office automation equipment, remote data collection systems, and a host of other products. With a maximum system clock frequency of 75 MHz, this fast, 8051-compatible µC is said to provide ample speed to perform local control chores while also servicing network requests—the controller boasts of a minimum instruction cycle time of 54 ns. In addition to its 8051 core, the DS80C400 networked microcontroller has on-chip a 10/100 Mb Ethernet MAC and silicon software TCP IPv4/v6 stack, as well as three synchronous/asynchronous serial ports that can operate at speeds up to 18.75 Mbps, a CAN2.0B controller, up to eight ports (64 I/O pins), memory, and a 1-Wire master. The controller comes in a 100-lead LQFP, has an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, and, by using the DS80C400 reference design, reportedly enables embedded web servers to be built in just hours. The company’s Tiny Internet Interface (TINI) runtime environment is available at www.maxim-ic.com/TINI. Application code can be written in Java or C. DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR, Dallas, TX. (800) 998-8800.