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Domosys launches U-Chip™ family based on 8051 microcontroller core from Dolphin Integration

High-performance RISC 8051 Whirl enables the implementation of PowerBus™ technology to create the only true one-chip solution for the control networking market.

Domosys announced today that it is using Dolphin Integration’s Whirl 8051 core as the foundation of its U-Chip, an ASIC used to embed Domosys' PowerBus technology. Running at a speed of 30 MHz, the Whirl core executes code 25 times faster than a legacy 12 MHz 8051 microcontroller. This speed allows the U-Chip to run the entire PowerBus protocol stack, from the physical layer right up to the user's application code, and to implement the advanced features that differentiate PowerBus from other control networking protocols.

Domosys' U-Chip
The U-Chip is a highly integrated SoC transceiver specialized for low cost power line control networking. Dolphin's 8051 Whirl core is paired with 64 kb of embedded flash code memory, 6 kb of embedded RAM, a host of digital and analog peripherals, and a dedicated DSP transceiver optimized for power line communications. When combined with Domosys' PowerBus control networking protocol stack, it is a very low cost and reliable solution for networking a wide variety of everyday devices. Domosys' PowerBus ICs are already being used in applications as diverse as automated meter reading, home automation, industrial automation, and street lamp control & monitoring.

The U-Chip stands out as the only IC in the control networking market that integrates all the protocol functions and portions of the user application on the same die. Furthermore, almost all the protocol stack is embedded in flash memory, which is another unique feature of this component.

Dolphin's COO, Jean-François Pollet comments, "We greatly enjoy working with technology visionaries such as Domosys, they are continually finding new and innovative ways to use our products for large markets. We believe that power line control networking is an ideal market for our advanced 8051 microcontroller, as a high level of performance must be squeezed out of as little silicon as possible. We are proud to be associated with Domosys in this product development."

Dolphin's Whirl 8051 Core
Dolphin's Whirl 8051 microcontroller core uses state-of-the-art RISC design techniques in order to minimize gate count, while running the standard 8051 instruction set nine times faster than a legacy 8051 device. It also adds 15 new 16-bit DSP instructions that can save code space, and provide a 50x speed gain for some calculations. Its configurable peripherals keep silicon cost to a minimum, and a full suite of simulation testbenches and development tools make the integration of this module into your SoC a snap. The core can be delivered as VHDL or Verilog source, as a hard macro, or embedded in an FPGA.

"We are very happy with the performance and quality of the Dolphin 8051 core", said Domosys VP of R&D Pierre Longtin. "The Whirl's powerful features have helped make our vision of a low cost, powerful control networking technology a reality. Dolphin's excellent post-sales engineering support ensured that our silicon worked properly on the very first tape out using a deep sub-micron, mixed signal embedded flash process."

Pricing and Availability
The U-Chip is available today in production quantities, at a price of $8.00 (10k-unit quantities) in either a 48-LQFP or 80-LQFP package. When embedding the PowerBus protocol stack, the pricing is $8.00 for the U-521 48-pin device (10k-unit quantities). All chips run at 30 MHz over an industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C).

About Dolphin Integration

DOLPHIN Integration, provider of "Service Empowered IP" for Logic, Analog and Memory Virtual Components, offers a wide range of Virtual Components with design services and support; from turnkey design to consulting support for customers wanting efficient insertion of FLIP cores from kits into their SoC design. DOLPHIN is a member of the Virtual Socket Interface Alliance (VSIA) and of the Virtual Component exchange (VCX).

Their mission statement is to supply worldwide customers with fault-free, high yield and reliable sets of CMOS Virtual Components together with engineering assistance and product evolution customized to their needs.

Flip 8051 has been sold to experienced customers since 1998 and has been improved constantly by a dedicated team specialized in support and development of innovations.

For more information on Flip 8051 Virtual Components:
www.dolphin-ip.com/flip/logic/8051/logic_8051_overview.html

For more information contact:
Yann RICHARD
Product Marketing Manager
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Telephone: +33 4 76 41 10 96

About Domosys

Founded in 1994, Domosys Corporation is a leading provider of Power Line Communication (PLC) technology for the control networking market. Domosys' PLC technology transforms any stand-alone product into a device that can be controlled or monitored either locally or remotely over the Internet. Domosys is designing and manufacturing custom products for Original Equipment Manufacturers as well as marketing and selling generic products to system integrators. Domosys' products and solutions are used in a number of vertical markets such as but not limited to: Energy Management, Street lighting controls, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), SCADA and Transportation.

Domosys Corporation is a privately held corporation based in Quebec City, Canada. To learn more about Domosys and its products and services, visit the company's Web site at www.domosys.com

For more information contact:
Marketing Department
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Telephone: +1 (418) 681-8022 ext. 226