Freescale Extends Controller Continuum with First RS08-Based 8-Bit Microcontroller; 6-Pin MCU Offers Freedom of Choice and Increased Flexibility for Designers of Ultra-Low-End Applications

The first product to be built on the recently announced RS08 core,a simplified version of Freescale's high-performance, low-power HCS08architecture, the MC9RS08KA family is designed for applications withextreme space and price constraints. It is ideal for traditionalelectro-mechanical designs and portable applications ranging frommotor control to use-and-toss health care products.

The MC9RS08KA family offers a robust support environment and apin-compatible route into the MC9S08QG when designers need to add newfunctionality. Shared peripherals and a common set of developmenttools help make it easy for engineers to leverage their designinvestment upstream.

"Freescale is positioned to compete aggressively in theultra-low-end 8-bit market," said Fred Zieber, founder and presidentof Pathfinder Research. "This product signals to the marketFreescale's dedication to offering a breadth of MCU products suitedfor any and all customer needs."

The 6-pin KA family extends the low end of Freescale's ControllerContinuum (See Freescale unveils microcontroller roadmap that blurstraditional bit boundaries, March 13, 2006,http://www.freescale.com/files/pr/controllercontinuum.html).

By providing up to 2K flash and 63B random access memory (RAM),Freescale's KA family offers more functionality and applicationoptions than ultra-low-end, 6-pin devices available in the markettoday. Additionally, the KA family includes reprogrammable flashacross voltage ranges and performs up to 10 MHz at 1.8 volts. Theproduct features a voltage regulator that minimizes voltage variationto logic and keeps voltage supply (Vdd) lower, reducing overall powerconsumption.

The KA family is supported by the same Freescale development toolsthat allow designers and programmers using other Freescale 8-bitproducts to work efficiently and economically. CodeWarrior(R)Development Studio for HC(S)08/RS08 Microcontrollers v5.1 is designedto accelerate application development with a built-in project wizardthat helps create working projects in as few as seven clicks.

"The tiny KA is proof that small devices can be packed withpossibilities," said Mike McCourt, vice president and general managerof Freescale's Microcontroller Division. "This move to theultra-low-end combined with Freescale's tools and support demonstratesthat we have listened closely to our customer base and are providingthem the fastest, easiest and most accessible solutions in themarket."

MC9RS08KA features

-- Up to 2 KB third-generation flash with extremely fast byte-writable programming

-- 1.8-volt to 5.5-volt supply

-- Integrated clock source (ICS) up to 10 MHz internal bus operation with 2 percent deviation over full temperature and voltage range

-- 8-bit modulo timer with 8-bit prescalar

-- Analog comparator with full rail-to-rail supply operation that can operate in STOP mode

-- Real-time interrupt trigger with 3-bit prescalar

-- Four bidirectional input/output (I/O) lines

-- Computer operating properly (COP) feature

-- 3/5-channel keyboard interrupt (KBI)

-- Low voltage detect (LVD) with reset, stop or wakeup

-- Auto wakeup

-- Background debugging system

-- 6-pin DFN, 8-pin plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) and 8-pin narrow-body small outline integrated circuit (NB-SOIC)

For more information about the MC9RS08KA features and availableservices and support, visit: www.freescale.com/files/pr/rs08ka.html.

For MC9RS08KA graphics, go tohttp://www.freescale.com/files/pr/graphicslibrary.html.

Pricing and Availability

The MC9RS08KA is available in production samples now. Suggestedresale pricing for 10,000-piece quantities starts at 43 cents (USD).

The DEMO9RS08KA2 demonstration board is available now for thesuggested resale price of $50 (USD).

CodeWarrior v5.1, Special Edition is available as a no-costdownload now at www.freescale.com/8bit.

For more information about the RS08 core, go towww.freescale.com/files/pr/rs08fam.html.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is a globalleader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors forthe automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets.Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after morethan 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based inAustin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturingor sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member ofthe S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companieswith 2005 sales of $5.8 billion (USD).

www.freescale.com.

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The Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) is fast becoming the embeddedsemiconductor industry's premier developer conference. A globalprogram, FTF events feature visionary keynote speakers, in-depthtechnical training, and interactive demonstrations from Freescale andleading hardware, software and tools providers. For detailedinformation about FTF events around the world, please go towww.freescale.com/ftf.
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Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of FreescaleSemiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are theproperty of their respective owners. The RS08 products incorporateSuperFlash(R) technology licensed from SST. (C) FreescaleSemiconductor, Inc. 2006.