Campbell, California-based Zilog Inc is expanding its high-performance signal processing Z89300 TV microcontroller family. The five new members provide a range of ROM memory options for television, VCR and set-top box OEM customers to implement features such as StarSight’s interactive television programming guide and closed captioning. Using Zilog’s 16-bit signal processing core, the Z89300 series integrates the functions of television tuning and display on a single chip. This 16-bit 12MHz signal processor engine enables the on-screen display to be fully controlled by software, enabling television manufacturers to tailor the look and feel of the screen and streamline software development. In addition, designers can now configure an on-screen disp lay with a range of pastel shades instead of the standard red, green, or blue. The Z89301 and Z89331 are 52-pin DIP 24000 and 42-pin SDIP one time programmable devices which are primarily used to verify software and hardware functionality through quick pilot production before committing to a masked ROM device. The Z89302 and Z89303 are 24000 mask ROM 40-pin DIP and 52-pin SDIP devices intended for high volume production. The Z89305 is a 16000 mask ROM device with a 52-pin SDIP package. In 100,000-up quantities, the Z89301 and Z89331 one-time programmable parts are available for $20, masked parts, including the Z89303, are $5, the Z89302 $4.50, the Z89305 $4.25, and the Z89306 $3.50.
