November 5, 1997
Hitachi to License SH-3 CPU Core to Seiko Epson- SH-3 core to be used in Seiko Epson's ASICs and ASSPs -Hitachi has been actively forming partnerships as part of moves to establish its 32-bit SuperH(TM) RISC engine family (SuperH) as an industry standard. In 1996, Hitachi licensed SH-3 and SH-4 CPU core technology to VLSI Technology Inc., of the U.S. The present agreement makes Seiko Epson the first Japanese partner, and for customers will mean the availability of more PC peripheral devices and portable information products built around SuperH microprocessors. Seiko Epson has developed four-, eight- and 32-bit CPUs. In the area of compact portable information products, one of Seiko Epson's target sectors, the demand is for CPUs that can run a standard operating system and offer a standard development environment. With the SH-3, Seiko Epson will address this need for products with a standard embedded CPU, and will continue to develop products with the excellent power-saving qualities for which the company is known. Speaking on the agreement, Dr. Tsugio Makimoto, senior executive managing director of Hitachi, said, "We are very pleased that Seiko Epson is licensing our SuperH microprocessor technology. The combination of Hitachi's SuperH architecture and systems technology with Seiko Epson's ASIC technology will mean more options and flexibility for customers. The strengthening of our alliance will also further improve the position of the SuperH as the world's leading RISC processor." Mr. Saburo Kusama, executive vice-president of Seiko Epson, said, "I see this as a new page in the long, close relationship between Hitachi and Seiko Epson, and one that is a pleasure to regard. The SH-3 becomes a means through which Hitachi and Seiko Epson can work together and further enhance the outstanding qualities of the SuperH microprocessors in the marketplace. Moreover, in our electronic device operations the theme is "energy saving," as our way of helping to protect the environment. And now, we will be able to provide the world with energy saving devices that combine Hitachi's SH-3 CPU technology with our energy saving technology."
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