Lpc2000

--- In lpc2000@yahoogroups.com, Robert Adsett <subscriptions@...> 
wrote:
>
> At 08:39 AM 5/31/06 +0000, brendanmurphy37 wrote:
> >If you're looking for an ARM9 or similar with MMU try the Cirrus
> >Logic EP9302 - see http://tinyurl.com/8v9ar or one of the Intel
> >Xscale parts - see http://tinyurl.com/psbfv
> >
> >Of course, it's debatable wither these are microcontrollers or 
not,
> >but both have CPU, MMU, (some) memory and a peripheral set on-
board.
> 
> I see what you mean by debatable.  Cute looking devices but I'd 
want more 
> peripherals, more memory and fewer pins.  It's a step in a good 
direction 
> though.
> 
> Robert

I take your point. It's all very well for me to argue as I did that 
there's something for all tastes in 32bit controllers from a $1 
simple device to an all-singing-all-dancing virtual-memory $10 
beast, but there still is a big step between those controllers with 
all the memory they need on-board and those that require off-chip 
memory (and hence large pin-counts, large package sizes, BGA form-
factors, requriement for multi-layer boards etc. etc.)

I'm sure it won't be long before we see "Linux on a chip", with 
several Mbytes of DRAM and flash on-board with minimal pin counts, 
low power consumption, rich peripheral sets etc. In the meantime, 
there's plenty of "steps in the right direction" as you put it.

Already, there's some interesting application specific ICs out there 
right now in areas such as digital video for set-top-boxes/DVRs that 
have everything except for DRAM in one package: I'm sure more 
general purpose versions won't be too long in coming.

Brendan.