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Nuremberg, Embedded World 2nd – 4th March 2010 – Renesas Technology Europe today announced the development of a new ThreadX board support package from Express Logic for its SH7216 microcontroller. Customers using the integrated connectivity chip, the SH7216, which is aimed at real time control, will now have an additional option for their choice of operating system in the real time operating system, ThreadX, which also delivers connectivity software.

The SH7216 is one of Renesas’ newest and already one of its most successful microprocessors. The target markets for the SH7216 can be broadly split into two sections. The first is “connectivity”, with this SuperH device featuring communication interfaces such as Ethernet, CAN and USB. The SH716 is available in 72 different variations meaning that there will be a suitable device, package, performance product whatever the connectivity application.

The second market area for the SH7216 is inverters, including solar inverters, motor control and others. The SH7216 features two dedicated timer units, each capable of automatic deadtime insertion, deadtime optimisation and automatic synchronisation with the analogue to digital converter.

The key to the success of the SH7216 is not just its suitability to application spaces but also its high performance. The SH2-A core is capable of 480 DMIPS and 400 MFLOPS performance and enables extremely fast interrupt response (as low as 30 ns), while the SH7216 also contains up to 1 MB of the industry’s fastest embedded flash: MONOS flash, which is only available from Renesas.

Express Logic’s ThreadX® real-time operating system (RTOS) is a robust library of application-callable operating system services that simplify and optimize the performance of an embedded system. ThreadX is designed for microcontroller-based applications, and features a small memory footprint of under 6 KB so it can reside in even the most limited on-chip MCU memory. ThreadX provides preemptive, real-time, priority-based scheduling for optimum responsiveness and high performance. ThreadX services include thread scheduling, message passing, resource allocation, synchronization, and interrupt management. With ThreadX, user applications are easily managed and remain easily portable to higher-or lower-performance SH2-A core-based processors. ThreadX is complemented by FileX®, a full embedded file system, NetX™, a rich but small-footprint IPv4/IPv6 TCP/IP stack, USBX™, a full USB Host/Device/OTG stack, and PEGX™, a graphics development toolkit. TraceX®, Express Logic’s graphical real-time event analysis development tool also is available for use with applications running on the SH7216. ThreadX is provided in full source code form, and is fully integrated into the Renesas HEW IDE, for a quick start to application development.

“This ThreadX release in support of the Renesas SH7216 marks the next step in the long partnership between two very strong players in the embedded space,” commented Udo Nuelle, Managing Director for Express Logic, GmbH. “The SH7216 with its integrated connectivity and the great ThreadX RTOS and stacks available from Express Logic are a great synergy that provides real value to customers in a wide range of different applications.”

The SH7216 is supported by the SH7216RSK (Renesas Starter Kit). The kit can be ordered from numerous distributors across Europe and retains at € 410.- RRP. It includes a JTAG debugger, a power supply, the Renesas C compiler and High-performance Embedded Workbench. Most importantly the board also supports the USB, Ethernet and CAN IP available on the SH7216, making it the ideal starting point for working with ThreadX.

ThreadX is available from Express Logic, GmbH in Munich and Hanover, Germany (sales@expresslogic.de), and Express Logic, Ltd., in Redditch, UK (info@expresslogic.co.uk). Free evaluation copies of ThreadX may be requested from any Express Logic office, or through www.rtos.com.

About Renesas Technology Corp.
Renesas Technology Corp. is the world's No.1 supplier of microcontrollers and one of the world's leading semiconductor system solutions providers for mobile, automotive and PC/AV (Audio Visual) markets. It is also a leading provider of Power MOSFETs, Smart Card microcontrollers, RF-ICs, High Power Amplifiers, Mixed Signal ICs, System-on-Chip (SoC), System-in-Package (SiP) and more. Established in 2003 as a joint venture between Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, NYSE:HIT) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TSE:6503), Renesas Technology achieved consolidated revenue of 702.7 billion JPY in FY2008 (end of March 2009). Renesas Technology is based in Tokyo, Japan and has a global network of manufacturing, design and sales operations in 16 countries with 25,000 employees worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.renesas.com

Headquartered in Buckinghamshire, UK, Renesas Technology Europe has offices in Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (3 offices), Italy, Spain, Sweden, and representation via related companies in the Czech Republic, South Africa and Russia.

In Europe, Renesas focuses on automotive (control, networking, infotainment), wireless (GSM, CDMA and Bluetooth), smart card and microcontroller applications such as white goods, motor control, metering, energy management, building security and healthcare. It employs over 150 engineers to develop solutions for the European market and to assist customers with application development. Renesas is a leading supplier of smart card ICs in Europe. Europe is the world’s largest market for automotive electronics and microcontrollers, and is the region of most design influence for wireless electronic products. Feedback from customers in Europe has great influence on Renesas’ product development.

For further information, please visit http://www.renesas.com or for Europe visit http://www.renesas.eu