CEITEC chooses 8051 IP from CAST for Embedded Security Controller Platform

CEITEC S.A., one of the most advanced semiconductor design and manufacturing firms in Latin America, has chosen an 8051-compatible microcontroller IP core from intellectual property provider CAST, Inc. for its new embedded security controller platform.

CEITEC S.A. in Brazil is a state-owned firm well-known for producing advanced radio frequency identification chips for tracking animals, vehicles, blood products, and more, as well as for developing and manufacturing custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Their requirements for a new security controller include a processor offering sufficient performance with very low power consumption, easy code development and system integration, and very low overall risk.

“Our unique mission is to develop innovative microelectronic solutions meeting the needs of Brazil and the overall market, while also contributing to national development,” said Marcus Kindel, ASIC design engineer and project manager for CEITEC. “This 8051 IP provides key features like an efficient power management unit, on-chip debug, and user-configurable peripherals, and combined with its high performance and ease of use satisfies our specific design requirements. Moreover, CAST’s long 8051 track record and effective support give us great confidence in this choice.”

The CAST R8051XC2 IP Core is a fast, 8-bit, MCS®51-compatible microcontroller with a rich set of configurable peripherals and interfaces. It runs 12.1 times the speed of the original 8051, needs just 5,500 gates for its CPU, and works with a full development ecosystem including on-chip debug, programming tools, reference design boards, and more. Built on a fourth generation of code, the R8051XC2 is mature and has been used successfully by scores of customers in hundreds of thousands of shipping product units.

“Smart designers such as CEITEC continue to find that 8051 MCUs meet specific project needs better than other 8-, 16- or 32-bit processors,” said Newton Abdalla, vice president of operations for CAST and a Brazilian citizen. “We’re also pleased to put our extensive 8051 experience behind CEITEC’s dual mission of delivering competitive products and enhancing the national economy.”

About CEITEC S.A.

CEITEC S.A. is a state-owned company that reports to the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and performs a strategic role in the development of the Brazilian microelectronics industry. It operates in the semiconductor sector, designing and manufacturing integrated circuits (chips) for applications aimed at identifying animals, medications, blood products, people and vehicles, as well as authentication, inventory management, and asset tracking, among other purposes. Based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, the company has a design center with over 60 engineers and a semiconductor manufacturing plant capable of producing 70 million chips per year. Learn more at http://www.ceitec-sa.com.

About CAST, Inc.

CAST develops, integrates, and aggregates high-quality digital IP cores for ASICs and FPGAs. The company offers some of the best available choices for low-power, high-value IP, including 8051s and BA2x 32-bit processors; video, image, and data compression; automotive networking; and the peripherals, interfaces, security, and subsystems needed for the quick, low-risk development of system-on-chip designs. Visit www.cast-inc.com, or follow @castcores on Twitter.