Motorola Offers First Embedded Microprocessor To Reach 300 MHz

AUSTIN, Texas -- May 26, 1998 - A 300 MHz version of the EC603e microprocessor, an embedded 32-bit PowerPC processor, was announced today by Motorola.

The EC603e microprocessor establishes a new speed level for embedded parts - marking the first time an embedded processor is available at 300 MHz. Motorola's EC603e microprocessor is feature and cost-optimized to meet the needs of networking and embedded customers who demand high speed capabilities from a low-cost and low-power microprocessor.

"Networking infrastructure customers are driven by a nearly insatiable appetite for network bandwidth," said Tom Spohrer, marketing manager, Motorola Networking Systems Division. "The EC603e microprocessor at 300 MHz enables these customers along with other embedded systems customers to deploy cost-effective high-performance solutions."

Motorola's EC603e microprocessor, now available at 300 MHz, also comes in 266, 233, 200, 166, 133 and 100 MHz versions. The new 300 MHz EC603e is shipping in a 255Špin CBGA package at suggested list prices starting at $109.00 each in quantities of 10,000 units.

"The high performance of Motorola's EC603e microprocessor allowed us to be one of the first networking infrastructure vendors to provide Gigabit Ethernet switching products," said Earl Ferguson, chief technology officer, Foundry Networks.

The high speed EC603e microprocessor continues Motorola's long legacy of leadership in embedded silicon-based technology. The EC603e microprocessor is a high-performance, low-power, 32-bit implementation of the PowerPC Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture. The 300 MHz version of the EC603e microprocessor offers systems operating on lower-speed processors increased MIPS performance.

These microprocessors are superscalar, capable of issuing three instructions per clock cycle into four independent execution units: integer, branch processing, load/store and system register unit. At 300 MHz, the EC603e microprocessor achieves 423 MIPS and has an estimated performance of 7.4 SPECint95 at a typical power consumption of 4 watts. Other features include 16-Kbyte instruction and 16-Kbyte data caches, on-chip power management and 32/64-bit data bus modes.

The PowerPC architecture also offers the industry's broadest third-party tool support of any RISC microprocessor. This comprehensive development-tool support for the EC603e microprocessor decreases product development time and improves time-to-market for embedded designers.

Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector develops the essential building blocks -DigitalDNA - to help its customers create new opportunities in the consumer, networking and computing, transportation and wireless communications markets. As the world's number one producer of embedded processors, Motorola's semiconductor sales were $8.0 billion in 1997.

In the global marketplace, Motorola also is one of the leading providers of wireless communications, advanced electronic systems, components and services. Major equipment businesses include cellular telephone, two-way radio, paging and data communications, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics and computers. Corporate sales in 1997 were $29.8 billion.

Motorola is a registered trademark and EC603e and DigitalDNA are trademarks of Motorola Inc. PowerPC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, used under license therefrom. All other names, products and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.