Issue No. 3 - October 2000
New and Views from STMicroelectronics
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Editorial Notes |
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As EASY as PSD Despite the enormous range of single-chip microcontrollers on the market today, finding the exact combination of ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory (EEPROM and EPROM), I/O and peripherals is not always possible. Today, ST's single-chip Programmable System Device where Flash memory replaces the EPROM memory, brings huge benefits. For example, the ability for fast, first-time programming on the board via JTAG interface, and the possibility of reprogramming the Flash memory in the field while the application is running. |
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INTELLIGENT DIRECTION for HDD EVOLUTION Hard Disk Drives today demand a great degree of on-board intelligence. They must be fast and flexible &emdash; even to the extent of supporting interfaces such as Ethernet, xDSL, Bluetooth and IEEE 1394. At the same time there is always pressure to keep increasing the number of Gbytes that can be crammed onto the magnetic disks. For emerging applications' HDDs, ST has introduced the ST100 processor which will liberate the HDD from its "dumb but invaluable" role. |
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SUPERCHARGING THE ST100 ST's popular ST10 microcontroller core has achieved continuous success. The third generation, Super10, is now set to take the ST10 into a new range of hard disk drive, automotive and consumer applications. This high performing core will continue to provide leading-edge SoC solutions for many years to come.. |
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Around the World ANOTHER DAY ... ANOTHER PATENT: Out of India, a novel method of suppressing glitches in infrared communications systems, for which ST has filed a patent application. |
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VIPer: WHEN EVERY WATT COUNTS ! Challenge looks at the enormous amount of energy consumed each year by AC adaptors and battery chargers - some 60TWh annually by 2006. The European Commission has recently published recommendations, setting voluntary targets to be achieved by 2006 for no-load power dissipation. With its VIPer family, ST is today offering the products required by the 2006 norm. |
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MARKET DEBUT ST enters the stand-alone Analog-to-Digital Converter market with high performing products to address the needs of key system-on-chip applications. |
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ENDING THE WORLD WIDE WAIT on the WORLD WIDE WEB |
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Electronica |
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Fact File |
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Brain Teaser |
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ST on Show
As this issue of Challenge is going to press, ST people around the world are preparing for the biennial trip to Munich for the Electronica show from November 21 to 24. The 1998 event attracted 84,700 visitors and, with all 15 halls fully booked, Electronica 2000 is sure to be another success.
The sheer scale of Electronica makes it one of the highlights of the industry calendar but it is only one of many different trade shows and conferences in which ST has taken part in this year. With its broad product range, in October alone, ST will be participating at specialized trade events in San Jose, Edinburgh, Paris, Seoul, Boston, Tokyo, Detroit and Beijing!
In addition, the impact of System-on-Chip technology is changing the structure of the industry, with the result that semiconductor manufacturers are now working directly with companies such as service providers that formerly dealt with OEMs.
For instance, ST recently exhibited at the Mediacast show held in London, an event which a few years ago had little relevance to the semiconductor industry. It now provides an invaluable opportunity for ST to talk to new types of customers and partners such as service operators and content providers. One of the demos on the ST stand - a voice-and-data over cable solution for set-top boxes jointly developed with Scientific Atlanta and Netergy Networks - is described in this issue.
Also in this issue is a summary of ST's participation in the prestigious Microprocessor Forum, where the Company presented three papers, each describing innovative processors for SoC applications.
Because of the breadth and depth of ST's portfolio, the Company takes part in an ever-increasing number of trade events around the world - a comprehensive list can be found on the ST website. We look forward to seeing you in Munich ... or Boston, Tokyo, Paris ... |
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