A clever combination

Hamburg, 26.08.2005

Hamburg, August 24, 2005 – Sharp Microelectronics Europe and Nordic ID, the manufacturer of mobile data capture instruments and auto ID products, are successfully co-operating to design ARM-based industry handheld devices. At the heart of the new PL3000 mobile computer is the 200 MHz ARM9 32-bit MCU LH7A400 from the Sharp BlueStreak family. Ever since it was introduced on the market in February 2005, this mobile computer de-signed for inventory management has been very well received in industry, trade and logistical circles. The PL3000 handles all current transmission standards such as WLAN, Bluetooth, GSM and GPRS, making it possible to re-main connected to the company network at all times. This industry handheld device operates under the Windows CE operating system. Even under variable light conditions, the 3.5 inch, ¼ VGA, transflective Sharp TFT-Display ensures good picture quality.

“The efficient Sharp processor is ideally suited for demanding applications such as in the Nordic ID PL3000. The MCU combines numerous features, such as USB host, audio interface, video and serial and parallel interfaces, which are essential for network and media applications “, explains Gunter Wagschal, Product Marketing Manager for BlueStreak MCUs at Sharp Microelectronics Europe.

The on-chip peripheral units include, for example, a programmable LCD controller, touchscreen controller, inter-faces with various storage media, DMA controller, internal SRAM, infrared support, I²C, real-time clock (RTC), timer and PLL circuit. The LCD controller supports resolutions of up to 1024x768, up to 64,000 colours or 15 grey-scales and permits direct connection to STN, Color STN, TFT and Sharps HR-TFT and DMTN Displays. The pos-sible uses of the Sharp LH7A400 processor are just as varied and go all the way from medical appliances and industrial control systems to mobile communications and entertainment units and electronic toys. In March 2005, the clock frequency of the LH7A400 was raised to 250 MHz . The MCU therefore supplies sufficient power for even more demanding applications in future.

In addition to the peripheral units integrated in the LH7A400, Teemu Ainasoja, Marketing Director of Nordic ID, also attaches particular value to the effective development assistance provided by Sharp: “The LH7A400 MCU fits in perfectly with our PL3000, which will considerably boost sales of Nordic ID this year. The power of this processor means that functional upgrades of the PL3000, for example through the addition of extra RFID and biometrics options and other audio ID and communications technologies will not be a problem in future, either.”


Availability
Customers who are interested in the PL3000 should contact Nordic ID over www.nordicid.com. The LH7A400 BlueStreak processor is available through Sharp’s global network of sales offices and third-party distribution part-ners.

For illustration material please email sme@faktor3.de


About Sharp Microelectronics Europe
Sharp Microelectronics Europe, Hamburg, Germany, is a divisional company of Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH, which is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies that are playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of electronic products for consumer and business needs. Sharp Microelectronics Europe offers groundbreaking solutions in the areas of memory products, LCD, Opto Components, CCD, RF/IR, microcom-puter and system-on-chip components, along with packaging and integration skills that help design engineers throughout Europe to bring their ambitious ideas to market. Sharp Microelectronics Europe is dedicated to improving people’s lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design.

Reprint free of charge / Specimen copy requested.
For further information and illustration material see: www.sharpsme.com
For more information about the BlueStreak line of microcontrollers, please visit www.sharpmcu.com.


responsible:
Sharp Microlelectronics Europe
Sonninstraße 3
20097 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0)180/5073507
Fax: +49 (0)40/2376-2232
Email: infosme@seeg.sharp-eu.com

editorial:
Faktor 3 AG
Ralf Schäfer
Kattunbleiche 35
22041 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0)40/679446-31
Fax: +49 (0)40/679446-11
Email: r.schaefer@faktor3.de


About Nordic ID
Nordic ID is a recognised company in innovative Auto ID and data capture handheld instruments. The instruments of Nordic ID provide full Data capture capabilities through barcode and RFID as well as realtime radio OTA (over the air)communication, outdoors and indoors. Headquartered in Salo, the wireless industry centre of Finland, Nordic ID has designed and manufactured Auto ID handheld instruments and solutions for retail, logistics and other industry sectors since 1994. The growth rate has been rapid and the internationalisation process has resulted in four different sales offices and strong reseller network outside Finland. The company has also a sales representation in USA.


PR Contact:
Nordic ID
Susanna Terkola
Myllyojankatu 2 A
24100 Salo, Finland
Phone: +358 (0) 2 727 7756
Fax: +358 (0) 2 727 7720
Email: susanna.terkola@nordicid.com