Renesas ships billionth Flash MCU unit

19th March 2007

Renesas

ES Admin

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Renesas Technology has announced that it has become the world’s first company to ship more than 1 billion microcontrollers with on-chip flash memory (flash MCUs). Renesas Technology is the No. 1 supplier* of flash MCUs worldwide, and MCUs are positioned as the company’s core product. Flash MCUs are known for their superiority because of their easy re-programmability of on-chip flash memory. Microcontrollers with on-chip flash help shorten development time and offer flexibility since they can be re-programmed even after the MCU has been mounted on the product. This makes them suitable for use as control MCUs in a wide variety of products.

For example, Renesas’ flash MCUs are used for automobile engine control systems because of their unmatched high-speed operation and reliability. They are also employed in car audio systems for their world-top-class data storage capacity. Their low-power operation makes them ideal for digital AV equipment such as DVD players, and their reliability and proven track record make them the logical choice for use in industrial equipment. As these systems become more diverse to meet complex system needs, it becomes critical for OEMs to reduce development time and bring products to market faster. As a result, the number of systems that rely on flash MCUs will continue to grow, requiring more microcontrollers to have on-chip flash memory.

Since Renesas’ parent companies, Hitachi, Ltd., and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation began full-scale production of flash MCUs in 1996, Renesas Technology has built up the industry’s most extensive lineup of flash MCUs, based on proprietary flash memory technology and MCU technology. Building on the synergy effect of the two founding partners, the company produces in volume superior flash MCUs featuring excellent performance and reliability. Together with the world’s largest product portfolio of approximately 300 flash MCU models and its ability to provide support for a broad range of customers and applications, Renesas has maintained the top market share worldwide. As a result, cumulative shipment reached 700 million units in June 2005 and passed the 1 billion mark less than two years later.
Renesas will continue to develop flash MCUs and to deliver solutions to meet the diverse needs of customers quickly with strong support services.

*No. 1 in 2006 on a value basis for MCUs with embedded flash memory 2006 according to research by MARKETING EYE.