--Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU microcontrollers let designers choose integrated USB or HDLC with high performance x86 core--
AUSTIN, TEXAS -- October 12, 1998 --AMD today announced the two newest members of the Comm86™ family of integrated microcontrollers for communications systems. The new Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU communications controllers are based on AMD's E86 family of microprocessors and microcontrollers, utilizing the ubiquitous x86 instruction set for communications applications and giving systems developers access to the largest base of programmers, development tools and existing applications. The Am186™ CH features two channels of HDLC, while the Am186™ CU features a USB controller. Designers requiring both USB and HDLC functions on a single chip should use the Am186™ CC communications controller, announced in June 1998. Each of these Comm86™ communication controllers integrates a powerful x86 processor with standard communication functions on a single chip, providing powerful, cost-effective solutions for today's increasingly sophisticated communications products.
"The response to the Am186™ CC has been tremendous," said Bob McConnell, vice president of AMD's Logic Products Division. "We've found that there is a real desire for a low-cost, high performance x86 processor core with integrated communications functions. Since not every communications design uses both HDLC and USB, the Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU controllers give designers the specific functions they need at an exceptionally attractive price point."
The Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU microcontrollers use a 16-bit high performance x86 core combined with serial interfaces for either two HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) channels in the Am186™ CH or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) peripheral controller in the Am186™ CU. Available in speeds up to 50 MHz and achieving 6.6 MIPS, the Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU communications controllers offer performance superior to competing 32-bit designs at significantly lower costs. These controllers are ideal for use in a broad range of communications applications including xDSL modems, USB peripherals, ISDN terminal adapters, low-end routers, digital line cards, PBX applications, digital phones, digital loop carriers, and key telephone systems.
"Our customers are really excited about using x86 for their communications applications. x86 is mature, robust, and has a wide range of tools and programmers to help bring products to market quickly. Plus, x86 offers scalable performance from 6.6 MIPS in the Am186 microcontrollers to the AMD-K6® microprocessor." said McConnell. "These parts demonstrate AMD's commitment to supporting our communications and networking customers with a continuum of integrated products compatible with the largest base of installed software in the world."
The controllers' processing power is combined with high-performance, industry-standard communication interfaces. The HDLC channels featured in the Am186™ CH controller enable support for HDLC, SDLC, PPP, LAPD, LAPB, v.110, v.120 and other protocols based on HDLC. Each HDLC channel has a maximum data rate of 10 Mbps and has flexible external interfaces, including DCE, and PCM Highway. The USB interface featured in the Am186™ CU controller is a high-speed (12 Mbps) device controller with six endpoints and integrated USB differential driver/receiver.
In addition to offering a choice of HDLC or USB features, both the Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU communications controllers integrate two UARTs, including a high-speed UART with autobaud capable of sustained operation at 460Kbaud, a DRAM controller, and a synchronous serial interface (SSI). The Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU communications controllers also feature a SmartDMA controller to support the USB or HDLC, 4 channels of general-purpose DMA, an interrupt controller with 17 external interrupt sources, three 16-bit timers, a watchdog timer, and 48 programmable I/Os. Programmable bus sizing and an 8-bit boot option are also supported. As a 3.3v device, power consumption is substantially lowered, while the ability to interface to 5v parts is retained via 5v tolerant I/Os.
The Comm86 family offers complete solutions including support from the FusionE86(SM) program with a full complement of third party development tools and protocol stacks. An evaluation system and several reference designs are offered including a low-end router and an ISDN terminal adapter (available in August). Reference designs using the Am186™ CC, Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU controllers include Codekits, low level device drivers for USB, HDLC and other peripherals. Third-party TCP/IP, PPP and ISDN stacks are being ported to the Comm86 family as well.
Pricing and Availability
The Am186™ CH and Am186™ CU controllers are available in 160-pin PQFP packages. Both the Am186CH and the Am186™ CU are sampling now with production starting in 1Q'99. Pricing starts at $9.65 in 10,000-unit quantities through AMD's distributors.
About AMD Communications Products
In addition to the Comm86 family of processors, AMD offers a range of ICs for data and voice communications. Silicon-based devices for Ethernet, wireless telephony, public network infrastructure, wireless local loop, ISDN and low-power Flash memory enable a range of personal and networked communications solutions.
