Düsseldorf, 04. August 2010 - Renesas Electronics, a premier provider of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced that its high-performance 32-bit RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) SH-2/SH-2A™ core-based microcontrollers (MCUs) now support the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework 4.1. Renesas Electronics’ support on the .NET Micro Framework, enables system developers to build reliable industrial and information systems with convenient touch-screen applications and more secure network connections, while achieving faster time-to-market.

Renesas Electronics’ SH-2/SH-2A microcontroller series integrates an advanced CPU and LCD display function, and supports a wide range of sophisticated functionalities such as Ethernet and USB. The SH-2/SH-2A MCU series are adopted in various applications worldwide such as information terminals, industrial equipment and automotive.

The .NET Micro Framework works with Renesas Electronics’ SH-2/SH-2A MCU series to better enable designers to develop systems with graphical-user-interface (GUI) control such as touch-screen and button operation, and systems that require LAN security to be connected to the servers. The .NET Micro Framework improves productivity of these systems by bringing innovative products to market faster and at lower cost.

”Microsoft is pleased to be working closely with Renesas Electronics to bring about the convergence of these great microcontrollers and more rapid software development provided by the .NET Micro Framework,” said Colin Miller, Product Unit Manager for the .NET Micro Framework at Microsoft Corp. “There is an explosion of interest in connected devices that will change the way end-users interact with computing, and this combination will help accelerate the development of these new applications.”

“We are pleased to offer the .NET Micro Framework support for Renesas Electronics’ SH-2/SH-2A-based MCUs through collaboration with Microsoft,” said Norishige Kawashimo, General Manager, General Purpose MCU Systems Division, Renesas Electronics Corporation. “By combining the .NET Micro Framework that has high affinity with Microsoft, and support for community, GUI, and security with Renesas Electronics’ MCUs that boast the world’s top market share, we aim to contribute to building up new markets such as building automation systems and smart grids in addition to industrial and information network systems.”

Renesas Electronics’ SH-2/SH-2A MCU products are supported by .NET Micro Framework partners:

In Europe: Emtrion and MPC Data
In the US: TrygTech
In Japan: Core Corporation

(Note 1) The SH-2/SH-2A is a CPU core in Renesas Electronics’ high-end, 32-bit SuperH™ series of microcontrollers.

SH-2/SH-2A and SuperH are trademarks or registered trademarks of Renesas Electronics Corporation. All other registered trademarks or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.