NEC Electronics Launches New 64-bit MIPS Processor Targeting Network Appliances

New 64-bit RISC Processor Achieves One of the Industry's Highest Performance/Lowest Power Ratios at 1545 MIPS per Watt
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 5 -- Showcasing an innovative new 64-bit RISC architecture, NEC Electronics Inc. tomorrow will introduce the newest member of its Vr Series product line, the Vr4131 microprocessor at Microsoft's Windows Embedded Developers' Conference. Aimed at network appliances, storage systems, and portable applications and delivering 1545 MIPS per watt, one of the highest performance/lowest power ratios, the new 200 MHz 64-bit MIPS RISC processor will enable NEC Electronics to target emerging application areas such as wireless LANs, network interface cards (NICs), server farms and Internet appliances, as well as traditional portable applications such as PocketPCs and cell phones.

"In recent years, power consumption has become the most important issue for designers choosing microprocessors for network appliances and portable applications," said Karl Auker, assistant general manager for the Vr Series Microprocessor Strategic Business Unit, NEC Electronics. "Our new Vr4131 microprocessor delivers one of the lowest power solutions currently available -- using up to 50 percent less power than competing solutions. Additionally, the Vr4131's superscalar pipeline delivers high performance, opening up new application areas for our products, including multimodule NICs and server farms where high performance and low power are critical."

Developed using NEC's 0.13 micron process, the new Vr4131 leverages NEC's dual-issue superscalar architecture and delivers 340 Dhrystone MIPS at 200 MHz. This level of performance, combined with the processor's ultra-low 220 mW power consumption at 200 MHz with a 1.5-volt power supply, makes the Vr4131 ideal for emerging multi-CPU applications, as well as portable applications. The new device also features a new power-saving mode, "eXsuspend," providing customers with an unprecedented four levels of standby operation.

Super-scalar Architecture Enables Unprecedented Performance
Key to the high performance of NEC's new Vr4131 product is the dual-issue super-scalar architecture, which includes two symmetrical pipeline control and execution units capable of executing two integer instructions. The architecture maximizes the instruction issue rate and is capable of executing an average of 1.4 times faster than single pipeline architectures. The processor includes two-way set associative 16 KB on-chip instruction and 16 KB data cache memory. The Vr4131 also incorporates a 100 MHz SDRAM controller and PCI interface to increase performance.

New eXsuspend Mode Provides Instant-On Capability
The new processor features the three traditional power-saving modes offered in RISC processors today, including standby, suspend and hibernate, allowing the processor to minimize not only full-speed power, but also idle mode current, thereby reducing battery consumption. In addition, the Vr4131 offers the eXsuspend mode, a new mode that stops the PLL to dramatically reduce power consumption while meeting the "instant on" requirement of portable devices by waking up in less than 40 microseconds. This new mode is key for portable applications such as PocketPCs and Web phones where frequent on/off capabilities are required to minimize drain on the battery.

"As the number of Windows CE 3.0-based devices continues to grow, it is important that processors keep up with the demand for performance while maintaining their low-power operation," said Keith White, director of marketing for the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "With the introduction of the VR4131, NEC Electronics has demonstrated its understanding of the processor requirements for handheld devices and is delivering a product that will power a wide range of Windows CE-based devices that enable new networking and multimedia applications."

The Vr4131 offers enhanced peripheral functions, including an SDRAM access speed of 100 MHz and a PCI bus interface. The processor enables wireless applications with a high-speed serial interface and also includes SDRAM, ROM, and flash memory interfaces as well as a general-purpose I/O (GPIO). The Vr4131 is pin-compatible with NEC's Vr4122(TM) microprocessor, enabling existing customers who move to the new device to cut system development time and decrease time to market. Like the Vr4122, the Vr4131 can be combined with the Vrc4173(TM) companion chip to extend the capabilities of the processor. The Vrc4173 integrates a USB host controller (two channels), PC Card(TM) controller (two channels), PS/2 interface (two channels), AC97 audio interface, keyboard and touch panel controls, A/D and D/A controllers, and 21 general-purpose I/O pins on a single chip. Combining the Vr4131 processor and the Vrc4173 controller, along with memory and other standard devices, enables easy configuration of a high-performance system.

Pricing and Availability
Volume production of the Vr4131 is scheduled for Q3 2001. The processor is priced at $25 each in 10K quantities. The Vrc4173 system controller is priced at $20 each in 10K quantities. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

About NEC's Vr Series Microprocessors
NEC's Vr Series 64-bit MIPS RISC microprocessors provide comprehensive solutions for embedded system designers. Developed around the MIPS RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture, all of the Vr Series microprocessors are backward code-compatible and highly scaleable. Furthermore, NEC Electronics is committed to providing complete design environment support for its Vr Series microprocessors by offering a wide range of companion chipsets, development platforms and a comprehensive set of development tools.

About NEC Electronics Inc.
NEC Electronics Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is one of the leading developers, manufacturers and suppliers of semiconductor products in the United States. Committed to meeting customers' cost, performance and time-to-market requirements, the company offers solutions ranging from standard products to system-on-a-chip (SOC) solutions, as well as customized products for next-generation designs. NEC Electronics also offers customers the benefits of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Roseville, CA, and the global manufacturing capabilities of its parent company, NEC Corporation (Nasdaq: NIPNY). For more information about products offered by NEC Electronics Inc., please visit the NEC Electronics Web site at http://www.necel.com.

Source: NEC Electronics Inc.; NEC Corporation

www.prnewswire.com_