In the soft logic, automation, and embedded systems markets, users typically spend several hundred dollars on communications modules, which prevents high-volume implementation of communications and networking functions.

To give users an improved, inexpensive solution, Synergetic Micro Systems (Downers Grove, Ill.) is launching a single silicon device that provides up to seven different communication technologies. EC-1 (EmbeddedComm) Communications System on a Chip (CSOC) is based on an Intel-compatible 80186 16-bit microprocessor with on-chip peripherals operating at 48 MHz to provide 12+ MIPS performance.

EC-1 also includes an AMD 960-compatible 10/100 Mbps Ethernet controller with MII PHY interface; two CAN V2.0B 1 Mbps controllers; Siemens-licensed Profibus-DP master/slave controller; and two asynchronous RS-232/422/485 serial channels with RTS/CTS and DMA support. Designed as a synchronous device with multiple networks, EC-1's dual CAN channels support native CAN, DeviceNet, and CANopen. The chip can change protocols with a simple software exchange.

Unlike other communications solutions, which install multiple chips and glue logic on a board to provide network communications, Synergetic's chip includes communications, memory, as well as the CPU. This means Synergetic's packaged solution only needs a transceiver, crystal oscillator, and connector, which reduce total application cost to less than $100, according to the company. Alone, the chip will list for about $50.

'We're laying software on the protocol stacks, which allows gateways at one 10^th the cost of other strategies. This is possible because integration occurs inside the chip,' says Mike Justice, Synergetic's president.

Besides its compatibility with Intel's processors, the EC-1 chip is designed to use standard x86 development tools, operating systems, and existing software source code, all of which can help reduce development costs. Synergetic reports that EC-1's software uses standards tools and is flexible enough to accommodate standard tools and code because the company specified commercially available ATI Nucleus real-time operating system (RTOS) and Paradigm Tools.

The chip's memory profile includes 256 K bytes of SRAM ; 8 K bytes of dual port memory; 2 K bytes of boot memory; and external 16 M bytes addressable memory space. For simple, stand-alone applications, EC-1 can serve as the system's primary microprocessor and simply interface with required external components. In more complex multi-processor applications, EC-1 is applied as a co-processor, and uses its on-board 8-K-byte x 8 dual-port memory for two-way communications with the host processor.

For more information, visit www.synergetic.com or www.controleng.com .