No jumpers, switches, or decoding logic required

    FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS ADDS TO 'PLUG-AND-PLAY' FAMILY; NEW MB86703 PNP 'LITE' SUPPORTS UP TO FOUR LOGICAL DEVICES

    SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 4, 1995 -- Fujitsu Microelectronics, Inc. (FMI), a leader in PC plug-and-lay hardware technology, today introduced a new single-chip controller that brings industry-standard plug-and-play capability to board designs with a minimum of re-engineering.

    Fujitsu's new MB86703 is a single-chip CMOS device that can be configured in a variety of modes to support up to four logical devices, more than any other similar device. It is the second member of Fujitsu's family of Plug-and-Play ICs, which was introduced earlier in 1995 with the production of the MB86701 PnP controller. The MB86703 is fully-compliant with PnP specification v1.0a, and provides complete compatibility for ISA add-in cards, allowing OEMs to bring their PnP products to market as quickly as possible.

    The MB86703 interfaces to an external serial EEPROM, which stores information for the card's resource requirements, along with default parameters and user-defined data such as Ethernet identification or manufacturing traceability information. The default set-up parameters can be activated at power-up so a PnP card can be used in non-plug-and-play systems. Four interrupts and four I/O-mapped chip selects are supported, along with either two memory mapped chip selects or two DMA channels.

    The IC's single-chip configurability makes it ideal for use in network interface cards, modems, multimedia cards, video cards, SCSI controllers, and other single- or multi-function add-in cards for the ISA bus.

    The elimination of jumpers, switches, decoding logic and other special hardware or software used in proprietary configuration methods reduces the installation problems and customer support costs that have characterized prior ISA card implementations, according to Alex Goldberger, director of marketing for LAN/PnP products at FMI.

    "Plug-and-Play 'Lite' simplifies the installation and configuration of add-in cards in several ways," Goldberger said. "This solution eliminates all of the constraints, such as jumpers or specialized software, that frustrate PC users. It also bypasses the need for special ASIC or application-specific standard ICs, which slows time-to-market for plug-and-play products. The Fujitsu PnP controller family now provides a variety of functionality in different package sizes at different price points to satisfy a broad range of OEMs and end-users."

    "The full 16-bit decoding capability of the MB86703 Plug-and-Play Lite enables OEMs to meet all of the requirements for Windows 95 certification by Microsoft, which is a key benefit for our customers," said Brad Pierce, vice president, communications products.

    The MB86703 operates using 5V power suppliers. Samples are available in 80-pin plastic QFPs now, and production volumes will be ready by year end. Pricing begins at $4.70 each in 10,000-unit volumes. The EVA86703 Evaluation card also is available now for $69.50 each. It includes the MB86703 and an EEPROM and is equipped with test points that let users monitor key signals. A utility for EEPROM programming is included in source and object code.

    Fujitsu Microelectronics, Inc. designs and markets a comprehensive portfolio of advanced semiconductor products and other leading-edge electronic components. FMI provides customers with sophisticated design capabilities and access to one of the industry's largest, most experienced research and development teams, with worldwide manufacturing facilities. Based in San Jose, Calif., FMI is a leading supplier of high-performance ASICs, memory devices, RISC embedded processors, multi-chip module and multi-chip package products, PCMCIA-compliant memory and I/O cards, telecommunications ICs, SPARC processors for workstations applications, graphics chips and cards, ATM ICs, plasma displays and LCD products, and Ethernet LAN devices. For product information, please call 1-800-642-7616.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

    Betsy Taub
    Fujitsu Microelectronics, Inc.
    (408) 922-9440

    Dick Davies
    Independent Public Relations
    (415) 777-4161

    Marion Kenefick
    (408) 354-1183


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