Rabbit Announces Chinese Versions of MiniCore Embedded Modules

2009年01月07日

January 7, 2009 -- Rabbit announced its focus on the China embedded market with custom Chinese versions of the recently introduced MiniCore embedded module family. The easy, ultra compact, low-cost networking modules now include Chinese documentation, a Chinese GUI for the included Dynamic C development software and local technical support. Available in pin-compatible Ethernet and Wi-Fi versions, the MiniCore series enables Chinese entrepreneurs and innovators to get to market blazingly fast with new and highly cost-effective products. Less than half the size of an ordinary business card, MiniCore offers users extreme flexibility to easily place wired or wireless network connectivity anywhere in a product.

"With the financial crisis being felt globally, new product designs must generate profit quicker than ever," said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of global sales and marketing, Digi International. "For a development kit promotional price of less than 350 Renminbi and a product price under 140 Renminbi in 2500+ volumes, the MiniCore is price competitive with regional designs, but provides more features and greater value than any other embedded networking module available in the China market."

The MiniCore series is optimized for real-time control, communications and networking applications such as energy management and intelligent building automation. It features 32 GPIO, 6 serial ports and a Rabbit 5000 microprocessor. This makes it the most cost effective network connectivity solution available for both networking and control in such a small form factor. With a footprint of only 31 mm x 51 mm (1.2" x 2"), and at 3 mm (0.1") in height for the Ethernet version, the MiniCore family provides a rich embedded feature set on an ultra-compact mini PCI Express form factor. The family includes the pin compatible and interchangeable Ethernet RCM5700 and Wi-Fi RCM5600W. Pin-compatible versions that support ZigBee and USB are also in development. Systems developers can easily interchange MiniCore family products to tailor connectivity for any given application.

The RCM5700 features a Rabbit(R) 5000 microprocessor clocked at 50 MHz, on-chip 10/100 Ethernet, 1MB parallel flash, 32 digital I/O ports and six serial ports. The RCM5600W features a Rabbit 5000 microprocessor clocked at 78 MHz, on-chip 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, 512K FSRAM, 1MB serial flash, 32 digital I/O ports and six serial ports. The Rabbit 5000 microprocessor is Rabbit's latest processor and features on-chip Ethernet, Wi-Fi and SRAM providing a high level of integration to enable the MiniCore's small footprint.

Low-cost development kits are available featuring all of the software and tools necessary to make development easy. Standard development kits are available for a promotional price of USD $49 (USD $99 MSRP). Deluxe Kits featuring additional hardware components are also available for a promotional price of USD $99 (USD $199 MSRP). The RCM5700 is available now for USD $20 in 2,500+ volume orders. The RCM5600W will be available by March 2009 for USD $50 in 2,500+ volume orders.

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About Rabbit
Rabbit, a Digi International(R) brand, is a global provider of easy to use 8-bit microprocessors, development tools for embedded control, communications, and Ethernet and wireless connectivity. Rabbit Semiconductor introduced the popular Rabbit(R) 2000 microprocessor in 1999, the Rabbit 3000 in 2002 and the Rabbit 4000 in 2006. The industry award-winning RabbitCore(R) line of microprocessor core modules was introduced in 2001. Rabbit offers customers a complete embedded design system, including low-cost development kits and comprehensive technical support for both hardware and software issues.