Atmel Raises the Performance Limit for Flash Microcontrollers above 200 MIPS

San Jose, California (ots/PRNewswire) -

- AT91SAM9XE 32-bit Microcontrollers Integrate Flash, SRAM and
Boot ROM with USB Host/Device, Ethernet, Multiple Serial Interfaces
and DMA for Maximum Performance, Connectivity, and Data Bandwidth

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the sampling
of the AT91SAM9XE-series, the first generation of monolithic
ARM9-based Flash microcontrollers that combines a 200-MIPS
ARM926EJ-S(TM) processor core with up to 512K bytes of
high-performance on-chip Flash. The new device offers an unrivalled
combination of performance and functionality on a single chip, making
these Flash microcontrollers ideal for space-constrained applications
where high performance is required.

Smooth migration from ARM7 to ARM9-based Flash Microcontrollers.
The SAM9XE-series is designed to reuse the maximum of the peripherals
and technology developed for Atmel's ARM7(TM)-based SAM7 family. In
addition, the same support infrastructure is used for both the SAM7
and the new SAM9XE-series, making the migration between both
microcontroller families smooth and easy.

Jacko Wilbrink, Atmel's ARM(R) Product Marketing Director,
commented, "The SAM9XE series extends Atmel's leadership in ARM Flash
MCUs from the ARM7 space into the ARM9 space. Built on a proven
architecture and peripheral set, the SAM9XE series offers a new
performance, functionality and cost point for our rapidly expanding
customer base."

Multiple Networking/Connectivity Options. The SAM9XE provides
multiple networking/connectivity options with on-chip USB 2.0 Full
Speed Host and Device Ports, an Ethernet 10/100 Base-T MAC as well as
a two-slot Multimedia Card Interface (SDCard/SDIO and MultiMediaCard
Compliant), a Synchronous Serial Controller (SSC), four USARTs, two
master/slave Serial Peripheral Interfaces (SPI), a debug UART and two
Two Wire Interfaces (TWI).

Distributed DMA for Optimal Internal Data Bandwidth. The
six-layer system bus matrix is linked to the Memory Management Unit
of the processor core, as well as to distributed DMA channels on the
USB Host, Ethernet and Image Sensor Interface to ensure uninterrupted
internal data flows with minimum processor overhead. This concept is
extended to peripherals via the Peripheral DMA Controller (PDC) that
communicates with DMA interfaces on the USB Device and all other
serial I/Os. This industry-leading distributed DMA architecture
ensures that internal data transfers occur at maximum possible
bandwidth with minimal processor intervention. It enables the SAM9XE
to perform complex data processing at the same time as high-speed
data transfers.

Availability and Pricing. The AT91SAM9XE-series is sampling now,
in a 208-pin PQFP Green or 217-ball LFBGA Green Package. The Flash
memory size ranges from 128K bytes to 512K bytes. Pricing starts at
US$7.30 in 10,000 unit quantities.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof, and others, are registered trademarks, or
trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. ARM(R) and
others are registered trademarks or trademarks of ARM Ltd. Other
terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's AT91SAM9XE product information may be retrieved at
http://www.atmel.com/products/AT91/

Press Contacts:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, Atmel Rousset
Phone: +33(0)4-42-53-61-50, Email: peter.bishop@atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
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Peter Bishop, Communications Manager of Atmel Rousset,
+33(0)4-42-53-61-50, peter.bishop@atmel.com; or Helen Perlegos,
Public Relations of Atmel Corporation, +1-408-487-2963,
hperlegos@atmel.com