Zilog Introduces Encore! 32 Series Microcontroller for Control, Connectivity and Security Embedded Application

Zilog Introduces Encore! 32 Series Microcontroller for Control, Connectivity and Security Embedded Applications Back

New 32-Bit Microcontroller Integrates Features Such as Memory Controller and USB Interface for Reduced Chip Count and Easy Feature Implementation

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 30, 2008 – Building on its heritage of embedded microcontroller innovation, Zilog, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZILG) today introduced its new Encore! 32 Series Microcontroller for home or industrial control, connectivity and security embedded applications. Zilog is a leading supplier of embedded System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for consumer and industrial applications, and an industry leader in remote control and universal infrared database solutions.

Based on ARM9 processor family, the Encore! 32 Microcontroller is a high-performance 32-bit Reduced Instruction Set Computing SoC solution that uniquely incorporates functionality for an integrated memory controller and prominent interfaces such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).

The integrated functions allow device manufacturers to reduce component count and design rich, new features into their products more quickly and efficiently, making the Encore! 32 Microcontroller an ideal solution for a wide range of embedded applications. These include access control, home and office monitoring and control, multimedia applications, healthcare monitoring, telematics and GPS systems, cameras and universal remote controls.

“From medical devices and automobiles to home appliances and toys, the market for 32-bit microcontrollers is growing tremendously with the demands and complexities of today’s embedded products,” said Mike Orr, Zilog general manager, Microcontroller Business Unit.

“Product manufacturers are seeking microcontrollers with more advanced capabilities,” Orr continued. “In some cases now, one 32-bit microcontroller is replacing two to three existing 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) or is being used for ‘command and control’ of several other existing MCUs, providing more agility with complex instructions. The Zilog Encore! 32 Series Microcontroller offers our customers a best-in-class solution with quality integrated features.”

More Details on the Encore! 32 Series Microcontroller

With the Encore! 32 Microcontroller, Zilog focused on creating a solution that provides product manufacturers more flexibility when designing their own products. For example, the integrated memory controller allows manufacturers to utilize whichever external memory and size they choose. The microcontroller can also be ordered with an optional integrated magnetic stripe or smart card reader.

“With the Encore! 32 Microcontroller, we have taken the stability and proven technology of the ARM9 family and integrated it with a rich and modern peripheral set. The end result is an exceptionally strong application-specific standard processor for the embedded arena,” said Joe Bennett, Zilog principal systems architect.

Additionally, Zilog has developed its own Encore! 32 toolkit featuring a full board support package with source and sample code and a fully ported Linux environment that can be used for testing and preliminary software development. The microcontroller can also be supported by Keil® Software Development Tools. Industry experts agree that the Zilog Encore! 32 Series Microcontroller is a strong solution for a wide range of embedded applications.

“The ARM® processor architecture continues to fuel the rapid adoption of 32-bit microcontroller design enabling the development of advanced energy efficient products,” said Eric Schorn, vice president of marketing, Processor Division, ARM. “Following Zilog’s successful penetration into the Secured Transactions markets based on the ARM9 family, this demonstrates Zilog’s continued commitment to the ARM architecture in addressing their customer requirements for high-integration, feature-rich microcontrollers.”

“The 32-bit MCU market has high growth potential with an expected CAGR (2008 -2012) of 14 percent on revenues,” said Tony Massimini of Semico Research. “The ARM architecture has grown quickly within the 32-bit MCU segment. By 2007, ARM MCUs accounted for 19.3 percent of 32-bit MCU sales. Zilog has a strong offering for this market with its new Encore! 32 ARM-based microcontroller.”

The Encore! 32 Series Microcontroller is in production and now available to ship to customers that place orders through distributors. For more information, visit www.zilog.com.

About Zilog Inc.

Zilog is a global supplier of application specific, embedded system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for secured transactions, consumer electronics and industrial application and an industry leader in remote control and universal IR database solutions. From its roots as an award-winning architect in the microprocessor and microcontroller industry, Zilog has evolved to become a leader in production-ready and custom-built SoC solution sets. Zilog is headquartered in San Jose, California, and employs approximately 500 people around the world, with sales offices in Asia, Europe, and North America. For more information about Zilog and its products, visit http://www.zilog.com/. Zilog and Encore! 32 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zilog, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. ARM, KEIL and ARM9 are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.