Color LCD Support Built Into µP

Running at 33 MHz, the DragonBall VZ processor is a fully code-compatible device that is reported to double the performance of systems using a 16-MHz DragonBall processor. The device also integrates the logic need to support color LCD panels on-chip. Also available is a new 20-MHz version of the firm’s DragonBall EZ product. The DragonBall series is the DigitalDNA product behind a large number of portable, LCD-driven applications, including all products using the Palm operating system. The DragonBall VZ MC68VZ328 improves upon the high level of peripheral integration found in the original DragonBall processor and later on the DragonBall EZ. New features include support for synchronous DRAM via the on-chip programmable DRAM controller and an enhanced LCD controller. Other improvements include a second timer, an additional SPI and UART, dual PWMs and additional I/O pins. All of these additions come without a change in the chip’s footprint, with DragonBall VZ keeping the 144-lead BGA configuration of the DragonBall EZ. The device is also available in a 144-pin TQFP package.