I/O Controllers Support Pentium 4 Systems

Meeting the I/O requirements of Pentium 4 systems, the low-pin-count, bus-based PC87372 and PC87373 I/O controllers in standard 128-pin QFPs integrate all required system control functions into a single chip. This is said to represent a 50% cost savings and 15% board space savings compared to similar devices. Manufactured on the company’s 0.18 µm CMOS process, the controllers’ system control functions complement the ICH4 I/O controller hub architecture. Control functions include master reset generation, power supply good signals, power sequencing and control, interface voltage translation and isolation for the SMBus, and fan speed monitoring with alarms. Legacy functions include an IEEE 1284-compliant parallel port and an 8042-type keyboard and mouse controller. The PC87372 supports a single 16550-type serial port and the PC87373 has two serial ports and integrates standard game and MIDI functions. Both devices also contain a floppy disk controller that supports overrun and under-run conditions during DMA transactions. The PC87372 is priced at $2.10 and PC87373 is $2.20, each/1,000. NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORP., Santa Clara, CA. (800) 272-9959.