Epson Introduces Intelligent Network Controller With Built-in TCP/IP; Single-Chip Reduces Overall System Cost While Providing High Performance for Connectivity Devices

Business Wire, July 10, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NOTE TO MEDIA: Multimedia assets available

EPSON Electronics America (EEA), today announced an intelligent network controller, the S1S60000.

The new single-chip allows designers of home networking and security, factory automation, consumer electronics, network games and small-office equipment to add network functionality to their products at low cost and easy implementation.

By integrating the TCP/IP protocol stack, the S1S60000 reduces the system development time and overall system cost for the designer. The built-in, royalty-free protocol stack supporting ARP, ICMP, IP, TCP, UDP, HTTP, DHCP, TFTP and SNMP removes the necessity to develop an operating system or protocol stack, thereby helping manufacturers meet today's strict time-to-market requirements. Cost savings are also realized since S1S60000 eliminates the need for a 32-bit CPU and additional RAM.

Operating on a 3.3V or 5V input, the S1S60000 is directly connectable to other MPUs including the Intel x86 series, Motorola 68xx series and the Hitachi SH line, and others. As protocols required for TCP/IP connectivity are processed internally in S1S60000 chip, only simple command and data need to be sent from the host MPU in order to enable communication. The S1S60000 thus enables products that use 8- or 16-bit MPUs to be easily changed into network-connectable devices without any advanced operating system or commercial protocol stack.

The standard design provides Ethernet 10Base-T and 100Base-TX connectivity, the most widely used networking technologies. Support of emerging networking technologies that make use of the phone lines or power cables is also possible through the MII PHY interface.

"There is huge cost and time savings that is inherent with the S1S60000 that is simply not available with other conventional solutions on the market today," said George Napier, general manager Integrated Circuits Business Unit.

"By providing all of the protocol stack functions, a simple host command system, a media independent PHY interface, the S1S60000 simplifies connecting household and industrial appliances to a network."

The S1S60000 features EPSON's low-power C33 32-bit reduced instruction-set computing (RISC) microprocessor core, 1 Mbit built-in Flash. A programmable general purpose 16-pin I/O and I2C pins provide for simple hardware control, which is possible without a host microprocessor unit (MPU).

"This is a first for the industry; it is also a first in a family of EPSON intelligent network controllers that address the requirements for flexibility, efficiency and the designer's speed-to-market needs; this controller has it all," Napier continued.

The S1S60000 is packaged in 100-pin QFP and is available now. S1S60000 costs $9.72 each in quantities of 10,000. Evaluation boards are available now -- S1S60000 evaluation board is priced at $180 each. PC Interface card for connecting S1S60000 evaluation board to a notebook PC is also available and is priced at $270 each.

About EPSON Electronics America Inc.

EPSON Electronics America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Seiko EPSON Corp. in Japan that is chartered to market, sell and support EPSON's electronic devices in the Americas. These devices include semiconductors, silicon foundry, packaging and assembly services, quartz devices and Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) and device-applied products.

For sales information, visit EPSON Electronics America on the Web at www.eea.epson.com.

About Seiko EPSON

Seiko EPSON is a progressive company that increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. The company's main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including semiconductors, LCDs and crystal devices and precision products, including watches.

Seiko EPSON is one of the world's leading companies of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness and energy efficiency with sales in fiscal 2000 of 1,341 billion yen and a workforce of 69,700 employees.

Note to Editors: A high resolution photograph of EPSON's new network controller is available through Business Wire's Smart News Release service or by e-mailing Sharon Guibao at: sguibao@eea.epson.com.

All other products, services or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only, and may be trademarked, registered or copyrighted by their respective owners.

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