SAN JOSE, California, February 12 /PRNewswire/ --

- AT91SAM9XE 32-bit Microcontrollers Integrate Flash, SRAM and Boot ROM with USB Host/Device, Ethernet, Multiple Serial Interfaces and DMA for Maximum Performance, Connectivity, and Data Bandwidth

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the sampling of the AT91SAM9XE-series, the first generation of monolithic ARM9-based Flash microcontrollers that combines a 200-MIPS ARM926EJ-S(TM) processor core with up to 512K bytes of high-performance on-chip Flash. The new device offers an unrivalled combination of performance and functionality on a single chip, making these Flash microcontrollers ideal for space-constrained applications where high performance is required.

Smooth migration from ARM7 to ARM9-based Flash Microcontrollers. The SAM9XE-series is designed to reuse the maximum of the peripherals and technology developed for Atmel's ARM7(TM)-based SAM7 family. In addition, the same support infrastructure is used for both the SAM7 and the new SAM9XE-series, making the migration between both microcontroller families smooth and easy.

Jacko Wilbrink, Atmel's ARM(R) Product Marketing Director, commented, "The SAM9XE series extends Atmel's leadership in ARM Flash MCUs from the ARM7 space into the ARM9 space. Built on a proven architecture and peripheral set, the SAM9XE series offers a new performance, functionality and cost point for our rapidly expanding customer base."

Multiple Networking/Connectivity Options. The SAM9XE provides multiple networking/connectivity options with on-chip USB 2.0 Full Speed Host and Device Ports, an Ethernet 10/100 Base-T MAC as well as a two-slot Multimedia Card Interface (SDCard/SDIO and MultiMediaCard Compliant), a Synchronous Serial Controller (SSC), four USARTs, two master/slave Serial Peripheral Interfaces (SPI), a debug UART and two Two Wire Interfaces (TWI).

Distributed DMA for Optimal Internal Data Bandwidth. The six-layer system bus matrix is linked to the Memory Management Unit of the processor core, as well as to distributed DMA channels on the USB Host, Ethernet and Image Sensor Interface to ensure uninterrupted internal data flows with minimum processor overhead. This concept is extended to peripherals via the Peripheral DMA Controller (PDC) that communicates with DMA interfaces on the USB Device and all other serial I/Os. This industry-leading distributed DMA architecture ensures that internal data transfers occur at maximum possible bandwidth with minimal processor intervention. It enables the SAM9XE to perform complex data processing at the same time as high-speed data transfers.

Availability and Pricing. The AT91SAM9XE-series is sampling now, in a 208-pin PQFP Green or 217-ball LFBGA Green Package. The Flash memory size ranges from 128K bytes to 512K bytes. Pricing starts at US$7.30 in 10,000 unit quantities.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, and others, are registered trademarks, or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. ARM(R) and others are registered trademarks or trademarks of ARM Ltd. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's AT91SAM9XE product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/products/AT91/

Press Contacts: Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, Atmel Rousset Phone: +33(0)4-42-53-61-50, Email: peter.bishop@atmel.com Helen Perlegos, Public Relations Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

Peter Bishop, Communications Manager of Atmel Rousset, +33(0)4-42-53-61-50, peter.bishop@atmel.com; or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations of Atmel Corporation, +1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com