New Epson Microcomputer Provides Simplified Chinese Characters on Mobile Displays

- TOKYO, Japan, September 4, 2003 -

Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") has developed and is now marketing the S1C88650, an 8-bit microcomputer equipped with high-capacity ROM and an LCD driver that enable support for Chinese character fonts . The new microcomputer, bare-chip samples of which are currently available for 1,800 yen apiece, is expected to enter volume production this autumn. Plans call for production of 300k chips per month.

Among the devices targeted by the S1C88650 are mobile audio equipment, cordless phones, remote control panels for home electronics, and other small, battery-operated mobile devices equipped with a Chinese character LCD display.

In Japan, the market for mobile audio gear and other devices capable of displaying Chinese characters is growing. In China, too, where most mobile audio devices display only Roman letters, devices with Chinese character display capability have begun to appear and are gaining in popularity.

Eyeing this nascent Chinese market, Epson developed the S1C88650 based on a microcomputer (the S1C88649) already in use in Japan in mobile audio devices with Chinese character display capability. The new microcomputer has expanded ROM and an LCD driver to enable it to store the huge font sets necessary for displaying Chinese characters.

Product Features
1. High-capacity ROM capable of storing Chinese font sets

  • 896 KB ROM for data and programs
  • 48 KB program ROM

2. LCD driver for rich display

  • Built-in LCD driver (126 x 8/16/32)

3. Low-current consumption ideally suited for mobile devices

  • 2.5 A (crystal oscillation 32 kHz LCD off) in HALT
  • 6.5 A (crystal oscillation 32 kHz LCD on) in HALT
  • 13 A (32 kHz LCD on) when operating
  • 900 A/1700 A (4 MHz / 8 MHz ceramic oscillation) when operating

Note. In this document, LCD current consumption refers to when the display is fully lit, but does not include panel load.

For product specifications, please see the attachment.

About Epson
The Epson Group increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. Dedicated to providing its customers with digital image innovation, its main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including displays, semiconductors and quartz devices, and precision products such as watches. Epson products are known throughout the world for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
The Epson Group is a network of 73,797 employees in 114 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., which is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Group had consolidated sales of 1,322 billion yen in fiscal 2002.
http://global.epson.com/


Attachment
General Specifications

Model S1C88650
Core CPU 8-bit core CPU S1C88
OSC1 oscillation circuit Crystal/CR oscillation circuit: 32 kHz (Typ.) / 200 kHz (max.)
OSC3 oscillation circuit CR/crystal or ceramic oscillation circuit: 2.2 MHz (max.) or 8.2 MHz (max.)
Instruction set 608 types
Minimum instruction execution time 0.244 sec / 8.2 MHz (2 clocks)
Built-in ROM 48 KB program ROM
896 KB data and program ROM
Built-in RAM 8 KB RAM
768 byte display memory
Ports 8-bit input
26-bit output
16-bit I/O
Serial interface 1 channel (synchronous type clock)
Timers Programmable 16-bit x 4 channels, or programmable 8-bit x 2 channels; PWM output available
Timekeeping timer: 1 channel
LCD driver 126 segments x 8/16/32 commons
Watchdog timer Built-in
Supply voltage detector circuit Built-in
Supply voltage 1.8 – 3.6 V (30KHz-8.2MHz)
Package Chip; 256-pin QFP8 (28 x 28 x 3.35 mm body)