Out in Front: August 1, 1996

Drawing less power than does a typical 3.3V EPROM, the ZPSD4xx from WSI integrates 32 to 128 kbytes of EPROM, 2 kbytes of SRAM, a programmable address decoder, an eight-macrocell PLD, and a programmable interface for any 8- or 16-bit mC. The device draws 2.5 mA/MHz in operating mode and 5 µA in standby mode. To conserve power, the IC operates in standby mode unless an address changes.

The device's on-chip PLD has 37 inputs and 113 product terms. The PLD lets your design act as shift registers for serial communications and to perform bus interfacing, waveform generation, external-address decoding, Manchester and shaft encoding, stepper-motor control, dual-port arbitration, and other functions. A separate programmable-logic block controls address decoding. A security bit protects your design. The ZPSD4xx comes in 40-pin PLCC, ceramic quad, and PCMCIA-compliant TQFP packages. Prices start at $9.47 (5000).

—by Doug Conner

WSI Inc, Fremont, CA. (510) 656-5400, fax (510) 657-5916.