CAST’s 8051 IP core is going strong

Generally speaking, it has to be said that I tend not to be too excited to hear news about "design wins." I know that they are important to the companies involved, of course, but I’m more interested in tempting tidbits of technology.

On the other hand, every now and then I see something that makes me think “Hmmm”. For example, I just heard that the guys and gals at Kawasaki Microelectronics (www.k-micro.com) in Japan have selected an 8051-compatible microcontroller core from the folks at CAST (www.cast-inc.com) for their new digital and mixed-signal control platform.

The amazing thing to me is that the original 8-bit Intel 8051was created in 1980, so this little rascal has been trucking along for 32 years as I pen these words, which just goes to show that it was a jolly good architecture to being with.

Anyway, the “official” press release is as follows:

Focused on “Advanced Yet Affordable ASIC Technology,” K-micro is a fabless semiconductor company that offers full-custom ASIC development and production for consumer electronics, computer systems, networking, and data storage customers worldwide. The new 8051-based platform will join K-micro’s already-wide array of advanced, proven, ASIC IP.

The R8051XC2 IP core from CAST is a high-speed 8-bit microcontroller with a configurable set of peripherals and functions and complete MCS-51instruction set compatibility.

"This 8051 IP combines high performance and ease of use to provide customers a quick and effective solution at an affordable price. We expect this valuable IP will contribute to increase our presence in the current tough market, especially in Asia," said Yusuke Yamamoto, K-micro senior manager, Marketing & Strategic Planning Department.

The 8051 IP core from CAST gives K-micro the following key advantages:

• Leading-edge technology — The R8051XC2 is one of the fasted 8051 IP cores available, running 12.1 times faster than the original 8051.
• The right system-level IP — The 8051 microcontroller is the smartest, most cost-effective choice for many data control and similar functions, whether in a deeply embedded system application or to offload a main processor in a complex system on chip (SoC).
• Services for customer success — The 8051 development ecosystem is large and mature, and CAST has 10 years of supporting customers using it.
• High-reliability ASICs — The R8051XC2 code has evolved over four generations, and been proven in hundreds of successfully shipping customer products.

CAST’s Japanese representative Spinnaker Systems, Inc. has worked closely with K-micro through the rigorous IP selection process, and will continue to provide local front-line support.

For more information, please visit:

Kawasaki Microelectronics, Inc Japan: www.k-micro.com
Spinnaker Systems, Inc.: spinnaker.co.jp
CAST Inc.: www.cast-inc.com

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