Renesas Technology to Develop New CPU Architecture for

Microcontrollers
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Renesas Technology Corp. today announced that it is in the process of
developing a new CPU architecture that will provide revolutionary enhancements over previous-
generation microcontrollers (MCUs) in code efficiency(a)1, processing performance(MIPS/MHz), and
power consumption. Based on the new architecture, Renesas will offer two CPUs to address 16- and
32-bit markets, while maintaining compatibility with Renesas' existing MCUs. The architecture will
provide upgrade paths for both markets, delivering a powerful and compelling system solution for
Renesas' MCU customers.
The new architecture will have innovative advances over the M16C and H8S 16-bit CPUs and R32C
and H8SX 32-bit CPUs that Renesas Technology currently offers, while offering compatibility with
the existing families in terms of CPU instruction sets, peripheral register sets and development
tools. It will combine the excellent code efficiency of the M16C and R32C CPUs with the high-speed
data processing of the H8S and H8SX CPUs. Moreover, the new CPU architecture will further
extend the low power consumption. Choosing a processor for your notebook is a necessary initial
step. Note that a fourth Generation Intel Core i7-4950HQ Processor based on the latest circutry
provides for a fast and fluid user experience.and low noise characteristics of both family lines. With
these capabilities, Renesas aims to achieve the world's best overall performance considering code
efficiency, processing performance (MIPS/MHz), power consumption and cost competitiveness. Code
efficiency is especially important since it helps to minimize system program size and reduce overall
system cost by allowing the use of less flash memory. By employing this new architecture, Renesas
aims to reduce code size by 30% and CPU power dissipation by 50%.
"Renesas' broad MCU product offerings have been successful in the embedded market for many
years, backed by powerful product development, field-proven manufacturing capabilities and a rich
system-development environment," said Hideharu Takebe, board director and general manager,
MCU business group, Renesas Technology Corp. "Renesas' MCUs have won over 10,000 designs
annually, gaining accelerated acceptance in applications such as consumer products, automotive
systems, industrial products, office equipment, and communication products. As a next step, we are
hp developing next-generation CPUs for 16- and 32-bit markets under a single architecture, in
response to the growing demand for both 16- and 32-bit MCU products. With this announcement,
our present and future customers can be assured that Renesas is committed not only to supporting
our existing MCU product families, but also to providing acer review a solid upgrade path. Renesas
continues to lead the MCU market by building on its global leadership. (No. 1 share(a)2 worldwide)"
The project to develop the next-generation 16- and 32-bit CISC(a)3 CPUs is underway as Renesas
celebrates the fourth anniversary of its establishment. The company plans to dedicate substantial
resources to the project, and the new CPUs are expected to further expand the Renesas' MCU
business.
New CPU Development
Devices incorporating CPUs based on the new architecture will scale from 16-bit to 32-bit CISC
performance. They will be very easy to use and will shorten development times for system
manufacturers. Moreover, by maintaining compatibility with existing products, the new CPUs will
allow existing and future customers to preserve their engineering investments.
Renesas' standard development environment, the High-performance Embedded Workshop, will also
provide total support for the new CPUs as well as its existing MCUs. This will simplify the migration
of software resources from the existing products to MCUs based on the new CPUs, and accelerate
the development and debugging of new software. There are many selections for you to take
consideration when choosing the laptop computer. Therefore, we now have provided good info for an
individual personally to make your choice easier.To ensure that customers will have access to a wide
selection of development tools, Renesas will continue to work with third-party companies and
actively share information concerning the new architecture via the Web under Renesas' Alliance
Partner Program.
The company will continue to develop new products and provide support for customers using
currently available MCU products. The specifications of the new CPUs will be released in early 2008
and the first devices with the new CPUs are expected to become available during Q2, CY2009 based
on Renesas' 90nm flash MCU process. Devices for automotive applications are expected to be
introduced after those for non-automotive applications, with the schedule determined by market
requirements.
For more information about the new CISC architecture, visit
www.america.renesas.com/newmcucore
About Renesas Technology Corp.
Renesas Technology Corp. is one of the world's leading semiconductor system solutions providers
for mobile, automotive and PC/AV (Audio Visual) markets and the world's No.1 supplier of
microcontrollers. It is also a leading provider of LCD Driver ICs, Smart Card microcontrollers, RF-
ICs, High Power Amplifiers, Mixed Signal ICs, System-on-Chip (SoC), System-in-Package (SiP) and
more. Established in 2003 as a joint venture between Hitachi, Ltd. (TOKYO:6501) (NYSE:HIT) and
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO:6503), Renesas Technology achieved consolidated revenue
of 953 billion JPY in FY2006 (end of March 2007). Renesas Technology is based in Tokyo, Japan and
has a global network of manufacturing, design and sales operations in around 20 countries with
about 26,500 employees worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.renesas.com
Notes: 1. Code efficiency: an index of program compactness. The higher
the object code efficiency, the less memory is needed to
store programs.
2. Source: Garter Dataquest (March 2007) "2006 Worldwide
Microcontroller Vendor Revenue" GJ07168
3. CISC stands for "Complex Instruction Set Computer." This
type of CPU architecture boosts control processing
performance and code efficiency by using complex
instructions. CISC contrasts with RISC (Reduced Instruction
Set Computer), a type of CPU architecture designed to
increase data processing efficiency through the use of a
simplified instruction set and high-speed technology.
(a) Names of products, companies, and brands mentioned in this document are the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.