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ChipStart Creates New Economics for the Semiconductor Intellectual Property Market
New Sales and Marketing Channel Creates Economic Benefits for Buyers and Sellers
Palo Alto, CA., -December 3, 2008 – ChipStart, a semiconductor intellectual property distribution company, announced today the start of operations as a sales, marketing, and support channel providing new economies for the Semiconductor Intellectual Property (SIP) market. ChipStart currently represents Dolphin Technology, Analog Bits, WideSail Technologies, TeamEDA, and Sonics Inc.
As the use of merchant market SIP continues to become a more popular choice for developing semiconductor devices, the need is also rising for more consistent delivery and support of the SIP to the licensees. With no industry standard engagement model, this has been difficult to achieve market-wide because many SIP vendors employ various methods of sales and marketing. As a result, licensees are often forced to treat each engagement as new business model, even though the SIP is being used on the same device. Licensees often incur significant additional infrastructure costs, which makes it difficult to consistently measure the value of the SIP engagements. In these economics times, when organizations are being asked to streamline operations management, the inability to quantify the value delivered in turn places pressure on the SIP vendors to make steep business concessions.
ChipStart represents a new channel that enables a more consistent engagement model to develop market-wide for SIP, so that the value of the engagements can be more readily measured and valued. “The premise we have launched the company on is delivering a win-win engagement for both SIP vendors and their customers”, says Howard Pakosh, President and CEO of ChipStart. “Since many of the SIP providers are relatively small, we can offer affordable sales representation and marketing services that enables them to reach more customers and scale very economically. For the licensees, we offer consistent presentation and commencing of the SIP engagement so that they can streamline management and gain clearer pictures of the value the engagements bring.”
ChipStart has already attracted a number of SIP vendors for representation:
“WideSail’s error correction products require an experienced sales force with the technical know-how to develop the proper customer relationships.” says Gord Harling, President and CEO of WideSail Technologies. “ChipStart provides the international presence and expertise we need to grow our business.”
“ChipStart’s knowledge of our target markets will help us to gain the penetration we are looking for. The synergy between our two companies is amazing, and we see a long term highly successful business relationship” says Guy Haas, President, TeamEDA, Inc.
ChipStart also announced office locations throughout North America and Europe:
ChipStart LLC
228 Hamilton Ave.
3rd Floor
Palo Alto
CA 94301
Tel: (650) 461-9195
Fax: (650) 798-5001
ChipStart LLC
115 George St.
Suite 146
Oakville
ON L6J 0A2
Tel: (905) 634-6688
Fax: (905) 592-2048
ChipStart LLC
4 Talbots Drive
Maidenhead
Berks SL6 4LZ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1628 330196
About ChipStart
ChipStart is a semiconductor intellectual property distribution company based in Palo Alto, California. ChipStart provides sales and marketing support solutions for companies that commerce semiconductor intellectual property. For more information, see www.chip-start.com
# # #
Media Contacts:
Howard Pakosh
howard[at]chip-start[dot]com
(650) 461-9195
THIS NEWS RELEASE HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED BY NEONDRUM (www.neondrum.com)
Nicky Davis
Tel: +44 7747 017654
nicky[at]neondrum[dot]com
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--Liz Hartney 2008-12-03 07:40:33
chip design made easy
A VLSI technical portal dedicated to VLSI chip design Engineers , portal containing information about Design best practices, FAQ's, Information about Semiconductor Patents, Design Companies Information, Forum, chip design blog.
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--sri 2008-11-26 04:52:20
Semiconductor Market Analysis Report
Bangalore, India, 30th Oct 08: EMITT Solutions has released updated market analysis report on Microcontroller and DC/DC converter ICs. EMITT Solutions reports are more meant for design and sourcing engineers to gain latest market and technology trends. These reports provide substantial analyzed information to select the right component for their designs. EMITT Solutions market research reports also give fairly enough information for manufacturers of electronic devices to gain market intelligence on Microcontroller and DC/DC converters ICs. The vendors are ranked and profiled for their market and technology strengths.
The broad contents of the reports are,
Market trends
Application market
Geographical analysis
Vendor analysis and ranking
Technology trends
Component selection guide
New product released in 2006, 2007, and up to Aug 08 with key specs comparison.
The reports are available immediately through online payment.
The basic price of reports:
Microcontroller report: US$ 150.00
DC/DC Converter report: US$ 100.00
The sample pages of microcontroller report are available at, www.emittsolutions.com/images/microcontroller_market_analysis_2008.pdf
The sample pages of DC/DC Converter IC report are available at, www.emittsolutions.com/section/market-analysis/market_analysis_dc_converter.html
For details please contact
Srinivas Reddy N
EMITT Solutions
#D2-402, SFS407, Yelahanka New Town
4th Phase Bangalore –560064
url: www.emittsolutions.com
email: nsr@emittsolutions.com
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--Srinivasa Reddy N 2008-10-30 06:50:52
Information Technology :: India: NEW NVIDIA CHIP WAS ‘PRETTY MUCH’ MADE IN INDIA
The chip set whose internal code name is MCP 79 and which is now being used by the entire Apple MacBook family, has become globally available as NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (the M stands for the mobile version; the chip is also available as 9400 for desktop applications).
It integrates graphics as well as hard disk and peripheral control functions in a single slab of silicon.
This small lurch towards a more graphics-intensive general purpose PC has an India angle: The GeForce 9400 series was almost wholly designed and developed by Bangalore-based engineers of NVIDIA.
“From architecture to delivery for fabrication, Indian engineers did pretty much everything,” said Sridhar Manthani, NVIDIA’s Senior Director for R&D in India, in a special briefing on Wednesday.
While the hardware work was almost wholly done here, US and other centres helped with the software and the ‘bring up’ — jargon for readying for the final rollout from a silicon foundry, he added.
The India design and development team — about 70 engineers in all — have been working on the 9400 chip since April 2007.
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-- 2008-10-16 11:41:22
Is it fake or genuine
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Hi.. I'm david from Mumbai. I am a full time blogger. Recently I came to know about this Indian site called www.blogertize.in. I came across a couple of its press releases, articles and digg stories. I wanted to know whether this site is a scam or is it genuine and how safe is it to purchase adspace on this site. I am not sure whether the creator of this site will rake in all the money and just vanish. Please let me know about it. Thanks a ton David --David DSouza 2008-10-15 09:18:36
NASSCOM Innovation Awards 2008 - The fifth edition..
he award categories are
Market facing innovation - New technology advancement - Creation of ‘new to the world’ or ‘new to the market’ technology that will help a customer realize value. E.g.
* Products and solutions for 3G telecom networks.
* Natural language processing solutions for customer care offerings
Market facing innovation - Business model and business process - Services and products that have enabled customer value creation through transformation of business model or business processes or other structural change E.g.
* Software as a service offering
* Design processes and business models for system-on-a-chip hardware
Business innovation - Business model and business process - Innovations to company’s own business processes, models, inputs, go-to-market strategies, delivery models etc. to realize significant value to itself. E.g.
* Extreme programming (XP) or Agile techniques1 for software development
* Talent sourcing, training and retention approach and strategies
Start-up
* Market facing innovation – new technology advancement
* Market facing innovation – business model and / or business process
* Business innovation – business model and / or business process
2007 Winners to be changed to Finalists for 2007 and the companies are mentioned below:
* Comat Technologies
* Financial Technologies India Ltd
* Mango Technologies Pvt Ltd
* MediaLab Asia
* MindTree Consulting
* Mistral Solutions Pvt. Ltd
* MeritTrac Services Private Limited
* Texas Instruments
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-- 2008-10-09 09:52:43
Toumaz Technology CEO Keith Errey to Speak at Digital Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness Conference
Sensium™ Intelligent Wireless Body Monitoring System to be Presented to Professional Fitness Audience at Club Industry 2008
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Abingdon, United Kingdom, 9th October 2008 – Toumaz Technology Limited, the leading provider of ultra-low power wireless infrastructure for body monitoring solutions, today announces that Toumaz CEO Keith Errey will present key digital fitness applications of the Sensium™ system for intelligent wireless body monitoring at Club Industry 2008 (McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, October 15th – 18th 2008). The presentation will be made on Wednesday 15th October at 4:00pm (Session D12) at the Digital Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness Conference, part of the CI08 conference and exhibition for health and fitness facility management. Club Industry, now in its 23rd year, is the premier event for commercial fitness and nutrition, bringing together equipment, product and service suppliers to the global fitness industry to explore cutting-edge developments and present the latest innovations to fitness professionals from gyms, fitness clubs, multipurpose facilities, YMCA/YWCAs, JCCs, corporate facilities, and medical fitness centers. The Digital Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness Conference, hosted by Club Industry, is the first ever conference for practitioners in fitness, nutrition, and wellness to learn about the digital technology being brought to bear upon those disciplines. Toumaz’s session, entitled ‘Intelligent Wireless Body Monitoring: Platform for a Digital Fitness Revolution’, will explore how Sensium technology is at the heart of an emerging digital fitness revolution, providing access to new levels of real-time, continuous performance and trend data. Delegates will learn how Sensium unlocks new ways of understanding human physiology, delivers new revenue opportunities, and offers the promise of enhanced service delivery for the professional fitness and wellbeing markets. Toumaz’s groundbreaking Sensium™ sensor interface and transceiver platform enables the non-intrusive acquisition of real-time continuous physiological data for a wide range of health and lifestyle management applications, including remote healthcare, wellness and wireless monitoring at the bedside. Sensium provides the enabling technology platform to develop revolutionary products – low cost, ultra-low power wireless devices with built-in intelligence and lifestyle and sports-compatible form factors. Members of the media interested in scheduling a briefing with Toumaz can do so by contacting Nicky Davis at toumaz[at]evokedset[dot]com. For further information and registration fees for Club Industry 2008, please visit: www.clubindustryshow.com/national – ends – About Toumaz Technology (www.toumaz.com) Toumaz Technology Limited is the leading provider of ultra-low power wireless infrastructure for body monitoring solutions. Toumaz’s ultra low-power smart sensor interface and transceiver platform – Sensium™ – enables non-intrusive, real-time wireless monitoring of multiple vital signs for a wide range of healthcare and lifestyle management applications. Based on Toumaz’s patented ultra-low power Advanced Mixed Signal (AMx)™ technology, the Sensium provides the enabling technology to connect the mobile individual to healthcare providers – simply, affordably and unobtrusively. For healthcare professionals, this transforms the possibilities for pro-active monitoring and improved quality of care. For patients, it delivers new opportunities for lifestyle-compatible, personalised healthcare, as well as better therapeutic outcomes. ### Press contacts: Toumaz Nicky Davis EvokedSet PR toumaz [at] evokedset [dot] com Phone: +44 870 285 1650 THIS NEWS RELEASE HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED BY NEONDRUM (www.neondrum.com) Nicky Davis Tel: +44 7747 017654 nicky[at]neondrum[dot]com --Liz Hartney 2008-10-09 06:54:38
Toumaz Technology CEO Keith Errey to Present Vision for Digital Medicine Future at Oracle OpenWorld
Sensium™ Intelligent Wireless Body Monitoring System to be Showcased at World’s Largest Professional IT Event in San Francisco
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Abingdon, United Kingdom, 18 September 2008 – Toumaz Technology Limited, the leading provider of ultra-low power wireless infrastructure for body monitoring solutions, today announces that it will present its vision for the future of digital medicine solutions at Oracle OpenWorld 2008 – the world's largest professional IT conference (Moscone Center, San Francisco, September 21st – 25th 2008). Toumaz Technology CEO Keith Errey will be delivering a key insight into the future of end-to-end digital healthcare systems in a conference session on Monday 22nd September at 13:00pm (Session No S298848, Westin SF Market Street, Room Metropolitan III). Delegates and visitors will also have the opportunity to attend a presentation given by Toumaz at its booth within the Embedded Pavilion, where it will also be demonstrating its Sensium™ system for intelligent wireless body monitoring (Embedded Pavilion, Moscone West, Booth 3116). Oracle OpenWorld is the largest gathering of Oracle customers, partners, developers, and technology enthusiasts. This year's event features a comprehensive Embedded Pavilion offering sessions, hands-on labs, demos, and exhibitions. The Embedded Pavilion will showcase Oracle's leading partners and featuring a mini-theater with ongoing presentations about Oracle's embedded products, plus presentations by partners embedding Oracle technology. Toumaz’s presentation will explore how technology convergence is set to unleash a monumental change in medicine and healthcare delivery, enabling healthcare providers to meet the enormous challenges of rising elder populations and the management of chronic disease. Central to the realisation of this “digital medicine” vision and the implementation of end-to-end systems is Toumaz’s breakthrough Sensium sensor interface and transceiver platform, which enables the human body to be monitored continuously, wirelessly, intelligently and at low cost – with the robustness and medical compliance normally associated with considerably more expensive capital equipment. Using new embedded products from Oracle that run on hand-held or simple remote terminals, real-time physiological information acquired and processed by body-worn Sensium-enabled wireless monitors can be automatically synchronized with electronic health or patient records. This end-to-end system provides the foundation for a total patient care package, with the potential to revolutionise health and lifestyle management. In December 2006, Toumaz was awarded first prize at the 5th Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Innovation Award for Europe, Middle East and Africa. The award from Oracle was made in recognition of the outstanding innovation of the Sensium platform. Toumaz Technology is a member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork. Members of the media interested in scheduling a briefing with Toumaz can do so by contacting Nicky Davis at toumaz[at]evokedset[dot]com. For further information about Oracle OpenWorld 2008, please visit: http://www.oracle.com/openworld/2008/ – ends – About Toumaz Technology (www.toumaz.com) Toumaz Technology Limited is the leading provider of ultra-low power wireless infrastructure for body monitoring solutions. Toumaz’s ultra low-power smart sensor interface and transceiver platform – the Sensium™ – enables non-intrusive, real-time wireless monitoring of multiple vital signs for a wide range of healthcare and lifestyle management applications. Based on Toumaz’s patented ultra-low power Advanced Mixed Signal (AMx)™ technology, the Sensium provides the enabling technology to connect the mobile individual to healthcare providers – simply, affordably and unobtrusively. For healthcare professionals, this transforms the possibilities for pro-active monitoring and improved quality of care. For patients, it delivers new opportunities for lifestyle-compatible, personalised healthcare, as well as better therapeutic outcomes. About the Oracle PartnerNetwork (http://oraclepartnernetwork.oracle.com/) Oracle PartnerNetwork is a global business network of more than 20,000 companies who deliver innovative software solutions based on Oracle software. Through access to Oracle's premier products, education, technical services, marketing and sales support, the Oracle PartnerNetwork program provides partners with the resources they need to be successful in today's global economy. Oracle partners are able to offer their customers leading-edge solutions backed by Oracle's position as the world's largest enterprise software company. Partners who are able to demonstrate superior product knowledge, technical expertise and a commitment to doing business with Oracle qualify for the Certified Partner levels. • Trademarks Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates. ### Press contacts: Toumaz Nicky Davis EvokedSet PR toumaz [at] evokedset [dot] com Phone: +44 870 285 1650 THIS NEWS RELEASE HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED BY NEONDRUM (www.neondrum.com) Nicky Davis Tel: +44 7747 017654 nicky[at]neondrum[dot]com --Liz Hartney 2008-09-18 05:53:30
PG Diploma in VLSI Design using FPGA - new batch 11th Sept 2008
Post Graduate Diploma in VLSI Design using FPGA from Sandeepani School of VLSI Design a division of CG Coreel Programmable Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore.
The program is designed to effectively bridge the wide gap between the VLSI curricula of universities and industry’s needs.
The course is comprehensive and rigorous, enabling the student to quickly ramp up to the level of real-world project readiness thus enhancing his/ her career prospects in the industry.
This Advanced VLSI/FPGA Training grooms fresh engineering graduates (BE/BS/MS/ME/Mtechs.) with industry exposure and knowledge.
Course Module:
Digital IC's and Systems
System, Board design overview
FPGA Architecture introduction
HDL introduction (VHDL & Verilog)
HDL (Simulation and synthesis focus)
FPGA Software flow introduction
FPGA implementation
Advanced FPGA implementation
FPGA based embedded system design
FPGA’s for DSP
Multi-Gigabit High Speed Serial I/O
System embedded debugging
Project
Duration: 10 weeks including 2 weeks of industry standard project
For details contact:
Sandeepani - School of VLSI Design
(A division of CG-CoreEl Programmable Solutions Pvt. Ltd.)
# 21, 7th Main, 1st Block, Koramangala, Bangalore - 560034, INDIA
Ph: 91-80-41970400 Ext: 520, e-mail: training@sandeepani-vlsi.com
visit us at www.sandeepani-vlsi.com
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To register online visit www.sandeepani-vlsi.com --Rajesh 2008-07-31 09:13:47
Home Femtocells Set to Unleash Potential of the 3G Phone Says Femtocell Leader ip.access
Home femtocells are allowing mobile operators to deliver a personal 3G signal that will unleash the full potential of the latest phones, according to a new briefing paper from leading femtocell developer ip.access.
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--Liz Hartney 2008-07-30 07:25:21
Is China's IC Industry Nearly Maxed Out?
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China's IC industry underwent significant growth in 2007, with sales revenues reaching US $18.23 billion--a 24 percent increase over 2006. While revenues from IC design and chip manufacturing fell slightly, they were more than made up for by an uptick in packaging and testing--for which China's global market share surpassed the 50 percent mark. But market research company CCID Consulting predicts that after another year of growth in 2008 (due mainly to the arrival of digital TV and 3G mobile telecommunications), China's IC industry will have reached its peak and will begin to see a slowdown in growth. Read on at: -- 2008-07-03 03:26:36
Synplicity Launches READYIP Program
Key IP Vendors—ARM, CAST, Gaisler Research, Synopsys and Tensilica—Support Program
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Bangalore, India, April 16, 2008 — Synplicity®, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYNP), a leading supplier of innovative IC design and verification solutions, today announced the ReadyIP Initiative, a program that takes aim at simplifying the access, evaluation, and use of intellectual property (IP) for FPGA-based system design. The ReadyIP program delivers the industry’s first and complete universal, encrypted design methodology for FPGA implementation, allowing users to incorporate and easily integrate IP from several third-party vendors within their designs using the Synplify Pro® and/or Synplify® Premier solutions, Synplicity’s industry-standard synthesis environments. The ReadyIP initiative comprises a number of key elements. These include standards-based IP encryption with rights management to facilitate easy evaluation of IP; the System Designer™, a new technology-independent IP integration capability that is now part of Synplicity’s synthesis products (see related announcement, Synplicity Introduces System Designer: System-level Implementation and IP Integration Tool For FPGA Design); “push-button” Internet access to third-party IP directly from within Synplicity’s FPGA design environment; and the use of the SPIRIT Consortium’s IP–XACT IP packaging format to enable mix and match of IP from a variety of sources including the use of in-house IP. Synplicity also announced that its ReadyIP initiative is being endorsed and supported by leading IP vendors. ARM, CAST, Gaisler Research and Tensilica are partnering with Synplicity as charter members in this new industry initiative. Selected secure IP from these vendors, that universally target multiple FPGA devices, will be available through this new program. Synplicity believes its ReadyIP program is a big step toward providing an industry-wide, standards-based design flow for FPGA implementation using IP which benefit users because they can: 1) try IP before having to license it, 2) improve design productivity when using IP, and 3) use the standards to create their own IP-based design reuse practice. “Synplicity’s ReadyIP Program is the first to facilitate the widespread availability of IP while allowing designers to easily ‘try before they buy’ third-party IP,” said Andy Haines, senior vice president of marketing, Synplicity. “As important, it allows a company to package its own IP and securely distribute it throughout an organization for design reuse and implementation using Synplicity’s ReadyIP design flow.” Haines continued, “We are very pleased to welcome ARM, CAST, Gaisler Research, Synopsys and Tensilica into this program not only because they are key IP suppliers, but also as forward thinking companies supporting this major productivity advancement for the design community.” FPGA designers are increasingly turning to third-party IP to implement FPGA-based systems. The ReadyIP solution now gives these designers access to both third-party and internally developed IP within Synplicity’s FPGA synthesis products and simplifies IP assembly through Synplicity’s System Designer capability, a solution for integrating IP into FPGA designs using the designer’s FPGA of choice. IP access is provided through Synplicity’s synthesis environment via a Web browser. With this “push-button” feature, the user can download various IP directly into the synthesis environment for evaluation. According to Mary Olsson, chief analyst with Gary Smith EDA, “ReadyIP is a smart solution that gives users the flexibility to implement designs using various FPGA devices best suited to their particular applications. Moreover, users easily will be able to migrate their designs as new generations of technology emerge. By founding this vendor independent design flow on industry standards, and with great lead IP partners, Synplicity has really strengthened the value proposition of this new initiative.” “Synplicity’s ReadyIP program is unique in that it offers FPGA designers easy and efficient access to the IP options available today, including the ARM® Cortex™-M1 processor,” said Graham Budd, EVP and general manager, Processor Division, ARM. “We believe ReadyIP will offer designers a better user experience and the ability to complete their designs more quickly and efficiently and deploy them on any FPGA they choose.” “The standards-based ReadyIP program brings a whole new level of IP accessibility right to the FPGA designers who need it the most, ” said Hal Barbour, president of CAST. “We've been a pioneer in the effective use of IP cores starting 15 years ago, and are excited to help expand the realm of technology independence for FPGA designers through this partnership with Synplicity.” “Synplicity’s ReadyIP initiative will help rapidly expand usage of IP by FPGA designers, thereby helping grow the IP market as a whole,” said Steve Roddy, Tensilica’s vice president of marketing and business development. “As FPGA designs get larger and more complex, FPGA designers will increasingly turn to IP to increase their design productivity.” “By providing a universal and safe method to protect third party IP, Synplicity is playing a key role in helping the industry speed the development and verification of complex SoCs.” said John Koeter, senior director of marketing for IP and Services at Synopsys. “With the ReadyIP program, ASIC and SoC designers can now have a convenient way to prototype their designs in FPGAs.” The ReadyIP flow encompasses support for the SPIRIT Consortium’s IP-XACT industry standard specification for integration and configuration of IP, as well as support for Synplicity’s OpenIP encryption methodology that allows IP providers to securely deploy their IP to potential and existing customers. Synplicity has donated this encryption methodology to the IEEE and standardization is now officially in process through the IEEE P1735 Working Group. --Rasick 2008-04-16 04:59:45
Pulsic announces Unity 2008.1 after production testing and key input from major customers
The Custom Design Automation Revolution Comes of Age
Bristol, England - March 11, 2008 - Pulsic Limited, the leading software company in custom design automation for memory, today announced the release of Unity 2008.1, to address the newly developing custom design automation market and a significant step in the evolution of Pulsic’s comprehensive flagship tool for custom-digital, mixed-signal and analog design.
After an extensive phase of testing using production designs with key customers, Unity 2008.1 is ready for release; a truly production ready solution for increasingly complex custom designs. Unity 2008.1 consists of four major components: UniPlan a hierarchical floorplanner, UniPlace an advanced custom placement tool, UniRoute an automatic shape-based router with patented ‘spine and stitch’ routing technology and UniEdit, an interactive editor. All four components are integrated into a single flow, providing unprecedented continuity between each element - therefore maximising design efficiency.
“After a year of planned production testing with our customers, Unity 2008.1 continues Pulsic’s legacy, built by our expertise in shape based routing, to a full physical custom design platform” said Ken Roberts, CEO of Pulsic. “The first release of Unity in 2007, was a significant milestone for Pulsic and we have continued the progress towards the automation of custom design - releasing engineers from the constraints of manual layout and meeting the superior quality standards we demand of our software”, continued Mr Roberts.
Mark Waller, VP Research and Development, added: “An increase in productivity is achieved by our unique unified environment. The combined functionality allows designers to be freed from the spaghetti flow’s that typify current methodologies – traditionally in a bid to achieve desired design outcomes. These designs also require a lot of inefficient, time consuming manual layout, but with Unity 2008.1, they can now either be fully or partially automated without the designer having to transfer between different databases.”
In addition to the four core components of Unity 2008.1, the benefit of an analysis environment helps designers make DFM and ECO decisions, with minimum disruption, allowing late design changes to be made seamlessly. Add to this a constraint driven system (width, layer, spacing, etc.) adhering to the complex design rules of today’s designs, as well as Open Access and CDBA compliance, Unity 2008.1 is a very compelling solution for automating custom design.
Pulsic will be attending the DATE (Design, Automation and Test in Europe) conference at the ICM in Munich from 10th – 14th March 2008. Members of the media interested in scheduling a briefing with Pulsic’s senior management team at DATE 08 – to share a key update on the release of Unity 2008.1 and the latest developments in Custom Design Automation – can do so by contacting Nicky Davis at nicky[at]evokedset.com or +44 (0)7747 017654.
-Ends-
About Pulsic
Pulsic Limited is a fast growing EDA company focused on custom design automation for memory. Pulsic's leading physical design software improves the design productivity at nine of the top ten memory companies by automating the layout of peripheral and control logic. Pulsic's product range includes hierarchical floorplanning, detailed placement, automatic routing and interactive editing. Pulsic has delivered more than 150 tape-outs with over 40 customers worldwide and is the only supplier of specialized layout automation tools for memory. Pulsic was founded in January 2000 and is a privately held company, headquartered in Bristol, UK.
For more information, email info@pulsic.com, telephone +44 (0)117 325 5000 or visit www.pulsic.com.
Please note, Pulsic Ltd. retains title and ownership of the following trademarks: Unity, UniPlan, UniPlace , UniRoute and UniEdit.
For further information contact:
PR Europe:
Lloyd Pople
Tel: +44 (0)870 285 1650
pulsic@evokedset.com
Pulsic Limited:
Kevin Steptoe
Tel: +44 (0)117 325 5019
kevin.steptoe@pulsic.com
Distributed on behalf of Pulsic by NeonDrum
Liz Hartney
Tel: +44 7747017654
liz.hartney[at]neondrum[dot]com
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--Liz Hartney 2008-03-11 06:16:11
Magma Introduces Titan – First Platform to Combine Full-Chip, Mixed-Signal, Analysis and Verificat
BANGALORE, India, Feb. 28, 2008 : – Magma® Design Automation Inc. (Nasdaq: LAVA), a provider of chip design software, today announced Titan™, the first full-chip mixed-signal design, analysis and verification platform. Unlike other design solutions, Titan tightly integrates mixed-signal implementation with digital implementation, circuit simulation, transistor-level extraction and verification – providing a quantum leap in efficiency and productivity for analog designers.
Because Titan is based on Magma’s unified data model, it works seamlessly with Magma’s Talus® digital IC implementation, FineSim™ circuit simulation, QuickCap® TLx transistor-level extraction (also announced today) and Quartz™ DRC and Quartz LVS physical verification products. As a result, analog and digital design teams are no longer isolated and can have clear visibility into their counterparts’ design space.
“Today’s announcement marks another significant milestone in Magma’s history of delivering game-changing advances in IC design,” said Rajeev Madhavan, Magma chairman and chief executive officer. “With Talus for digital design and Titan for mixed signal, we have achieved a level of integration that the electronic design automation industry has never before provided chip designers.”
“Analog/mixed-signal design tools have not kept up with Moore’s Law the same way digital design tools have,” said Suk Lee, general manager of Magma’s Custom Design Business Unit. “With its unequaled automation of analog IP optimization and process migration, unified simulation, physical verification, physical design and chip finishing environment – and live integration with the digital design flow – Titan is a quantum leap in the evolution of mixed-signal design.”
Titan: An Evolution in Analog/Mixed-Signal Design
Today, analog design flows and teams are isolated from the digital world. Analog integrated circuits are still largely full-custom and are painstakingly crafted by hand. In addition to being time-consuming and prone to error, this transistor-level design style does not allow an existing design to be easily transferred to a new foundry or process/technology node. Instead, the migration of such a design effectively requires the circuit to be re-implemented from the ground up. With Titan, analog designers will still apply their expertise in defining the first circuit topology, but porting to new nodes will be significantly easier.
Lightning-Fast, Automated Chip Finishing and Live Integration with Digital Implementation
In traditional flows, chip finishing – the point at which the digital and analog blocks of a design are placed and routed together – is a time-consuming and manual task. Titan Chip Finishing, the first product to be released on this platform, provides complete and automated chip finishing capabilities. This fast, high-capacity system integrates mixed-signal layout with the Talus place-and-route capabilities. It can manipulate the largest designs with ease, automates analog and special net routing through an efficient constraints-based approach and makes all mixed-signal layout changes immediately available for physical and timing verification sign-off analysis through a live interface with Talus, Quartz DRC and Quartz LVS. Titan Chip Finishing can implement late engineering change orders (ECOs) that affect both analog and standard-cell components without significantly delaying the schedule.
Highly Efficient Full-Chip Circuit Simulation
Titan offers an integrated simulation environment using the industry’s leading circuit simulator, FineSim, along with the gold standard tool for parasitic extraction, QuickCap TLx. When coupled with ground-breaking schematic driven layout, analog circuit optimization, and analog placement-and-routing, Titan provides a level of efficiency in the analog design domain that is similar to that of the digital domain. For true mixed-signal design, the FineSim interface also allows for full-chip circuit simulation, offering SPICE-level accuracy for the analog portions of the design and fast SPICE-level accuracy for the digital portions of the design. This ensures that the analog/digital interfaces are well simulated and verified before committing the chip to silicon.
Titan Chip Finishing is available now. For more on how Magma integrates analog and digital design to accelerate development of mixed-signal designs, download “The Titan Unified, Automated, Full-Chip Mixed-Signal Design Solution” white paper at www.magma-da.com/WPTitan.html.
About Magma
Magma's software for designing integrated circuits (ICs) is used to create complex, high-performance chips required in cellular telephones, electronic games, WiFi, MP3 players, DVD/digital video, networking, automotive electronics and other electronic applications. Magma's EDA software for IC implementation, analysis, physical verification, circuit simulation and characterization is recognized as embodying the best in semiconductor technology, enabling the world's top chip companies to "Design Ahead of the Curve"™ while reducing design time and costs. Magma is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with offices around the world. Magma's stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LAVA. Visit Magma Design Automation on the Web at www.magma-da.com.
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Magma, QuickCap and Talus are registered trademarks, and “Design Ahead of the Curve,” FineSim, Quartz and Titan are trademarks of Magma Design Automation Inc. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Forward-looking Statements:Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements that Titan improves the efficiency and productivity of analog designers, seamlessly works with Talus, FineSim, QuickCap TLx, Quartz DRC and Quartz LVS products, provides analog designers with the same advantages that digital designers have and about the features and benefits of Magma’s software are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including but not limited to the ability of Magma’s products to produce the desired results and the company’s ability to keep pace with rapidly changing technology. Further discussion of these and other potential risk factors may be found in Magma's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). The company undertakes no additional obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
LAVA -G
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--Sowmya 2008-02-29 01:44:22
Pulsic expands its sales operation and appoints Massimo Cecchetti as sales representative
Cecchetti joins Pulsic in key Southern European Role
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Bristol, England - February 21, 2008 - Pulsic Limited, the leading software company in custom design automation for memory, today announced the strategic appointment of Massimo Cecchetti in Southern Europe as sales representative. The move broadens Pulsic’s sales coverage throughout France and Italy, and further complements Pulsic’s presence across the major semiconductor markets of the world.
Cecchetti’s career spans 20 years in the semiconductor industry, with business experience through varied managerial roles. His roster of impressive professional positions during this time include: 8 years in non-volatile memory (NVM) technology development at STMicroelectronics, Country Manager for Italy at Avant!, Southern Europe Sales Director at Monterey Design Systems and more recently as Worldwide Account Manager for Credence Corporation. Currently, Cecchetti, has been focussed on his role as a Sales Consultant, promoting innovative EDA companies with breakthrough technology across Europe.
Ken Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Pulsic, said: “Through Massimo’s extensive experience and comprehensive knowledge of local European markets, he will provide Pulsic with a focussed sales presence in an area where we foresee great success going forwards with our latest flagship product UnityTM. Southern Europe is a key market for us, and a key part of our strategic roadmap. We are confident his experience in the territory will further strengthen our position in the region.”
Massimo Cecchetti added: “Pulsic’s custom design tools provide an excellent productivity proposition to some of the leading semiconductor design houses based here in Southern Europe. With UnityTM, Pulsic has the technology to address the most complex and challenging Custom Digital, Mixed-Signal and Analog IC designs. I very much look forward to addressing their customer’s needs in this territory.”
About Pulsic
Pulsic Limited is a fast growing EDA company focused on custom design automation for memory. Pulsic's leading physical design software improves the design productivity at nine of the top ten memory companies by automating the layout of peripheral and control logic. Pulsic's product range includes hierarchical floorplanning, detailed placement, automatic routing and interactive editing. Pulsic has delivered more than 150 tape-outs with over 40 customers worldwide and is the only supplier of specialized layout automation for memory. Pulsic was founded in January 2000 and is a privately held company, headquartered in Bristol, UK.
For more information, email info@pulsic.com, telephone +44 (0)117 325 5000 or visit www.pulsic.com.
Contacts:
PR Europe:
Lloyd Pople
Tel: +44 (0)870 285 1650
pulsic@evokedset.com
Puslic Limited:
Kevin Steptoe
Tel: Tel: +44 (0)117 325 5019
kevin.steptoe@pulsic.com
Distributed on behalf of Pulsic by NeonDrum
Liz Hartney
Tel: +44 7747017654
liz.hartney[at]neondrum[dot]com
www.neondrum.com --Liz Hartney 2008-02-21 08:44:51
Synplicity Joins Xilinx ESL Design Ecosystem
Bangalore, India, November 27, 2007 — Synplicity®, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYNP), a leading supplier of innovative IC design and verification solutions, today announced that Synplicity, with its Synplify® DSP software, has joined the Xilinx® ESL Initiative. The addition of the Synplify DSP software to the Xilinx ESL design ecosystem underscores the commitment of Xilinx, the world’s leading supplier of programmable solutions, toward driving technological innovations and solutions that promote high-level, electronic system level (ESL) design. ESL design is one of the fastest growing segments of the EDA market with an expected 50 percent compounded annual growth rate during the next five years according to market researcher Gary Smith of Gary Smith EDA.
“We are very happy to join the Xilinx ESL Initiative,” said Joe Gianelli, vice president of business development, Synplicity. “During the past 18 months, this initiative has gone a long way in providing FPGA users with access to a comprehensive ESL design flow. We’re glad to be part of the industry’s transition to ESL design and pleased to be part of Xilinx’s best-in-class tool ecosystem for advanced FPGA designers.”
The Synplify DSP environment facilitates high-level modeling and hardware abstraction, constraint-driven algorithm synthesis into RTL and powerful system-wide optimizations for performance, area, and multi-channelization tradeoff exploration. It helps designers capture multi-rate DSP algorithms quickly and easily, perform architectural exploration across multiple devices and create algorithmic IP that is highly portable and re-usable. As a result, users can easily map their DSP algorithms into any Xilinx device. The Synplify DSP tool includes integration to Xilinx System Generator for DSP™ to allow blocks created using Synplify DSP software to be easily integrated with Xilinx IP, connected to Xilinx embedded processors and verified on Xilinx hardware boards using hardware co-simulation.
Synplify DSP software provides users of the MathWorks Simulink® environment, an environment for multi-domain simulation and model-based design, with a highly optimized approach for the implementation of DSP algorithms into silicon. With M-Control fully integrated into the Synplify DSP library and the MathWorks Simulink environment, data type and sample rate inheritance and propagation is fully supported. M-Control features inline debugging for supporting breakpoints and stepping into the M code. These features greatly simplify the specification and verification of control functionality that is often integrated into DSP algorithms. Moreover, with a comprehensive IP library of industry-standard functional blocks, such as FFTs, Viterbi decoders, DDS and CORDIC math functions, designers rapidly can create designs in application-specific domains.
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-11-27 23:46:30
Synplicity and Lattice expand Partnership to Include DSP Synthesis
Synplicity, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYNP), a leading supplier of innovative IC design and verification solutions, and Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ: LSCC), a leading supplier of FPGAs, have expanded their relationship to include delivery of a highly optimized, non-proprietary ESL synthesis flow for DSP design. Synplicity’s Synplify® DSP software now supports the LatticeECP2MÔ and LatticeXP2Ô Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices, creating a powerful solution for DSP algorithm implementation in aerospace, wireless, telecom and digital multimedia applications.
“After looking at other commercial alternatives, we believe that Synplify DSP support for Lattice FPGA devices offers superior efficiencies and better performance for our mutual customers,” said Stan Kopec, Lattice corporate vice president of marketing. “The optimized DSP algorithm implementation in the Synplify DSP technology, combined with the LatticeECP2M devices’ powerful DSP blocks and massive memory, and with the Flash-based flexiFLASHÔ architecture of the LatticeXP2 family, delivers users exceptional design advantages for communication and multimedia algorithm design.”
The Lattice-Synplicity relationship leverages the distinct competencies of each company to present new and innovative solutions for DSP algorithm design. The Synplify DSP software, Synplicity’s ESL synthesis platform, offers high-level modeling and hardware abstraction, constraint-driven algorithm synthesis into RTL and powerful system-wide optimizations for performance, area and multi-channelization tradeoff exploration. The combination of Synplify DSP and Lattice FPGA architectures helps designers capture multi-rate DSP algorithms quickly and easily. Designers can perform architectural exploration across multiple Lattice devices and create algorithmic IP that is highly portable and reusable, so users can easily map their DSP algorithms into any computing platform.
Andy Haines, senior vice president of marketing for Synplicity, said, “Our strategic relationship with Lattice provides an advanced alternative to other DSP-based design tools. Equally important, we are giving users of The MathWorks Simulink® environment, for multi-domain simulation and model-based design, a new target vendor for their FPGA designs: Lattice.”
According to Haines, the expanded relationship with Lattice is expected to provide real user benefits for the implementation of DSP algorithms into silicon. With M-Control fully integrated into the Synplify DSP library and The MathWorks Simulink environment, data type and sample rate inheritance and propagation are fully supported. M-Control features inline debugging for supporting breakpoints and stepping into the M code. These features greatly simplify the specification and verification of control functionality that is often integrated into DSP algorithms. Moreover, with a comprehensive IP library of industry-standard functional blocks, such as FFTs, Viterbi decoders, DDS and CORDIC math functions, mutual customers of Lattice and Synplicity now can create designs rapidly in application-specific domains.
Synplify DSP is also well suited for wireless algorithm design, so Lattice users can develop FPGA-based applications for digital RF/IF processing, FEC (forward error correction) and digital multimedia (audio and video) encryption, as well as high-performance computing. Vector support in Synplify DSP dramatically reduces the effort needed to create multi-channel wireless algorithms and multi-antenna algorithms such as MIMO, video, radar and security applications. These features enable customers to rapidly describe, verify and implement complex wireless algorithms (such as WiMAX, 802.11 a/b/g/n and DVB standards) into hardware devices.
For high-performance DSP applications, Lattice devices provide up to a 50 percent performance and 75 percent logic utilization improvement over other solutions when implementing common DSP functions. Through advanced 90nm silicon technology, an optimized architecture and proprietary circuit design, Lattice devices reduce total solution costs by up to 30-50 percent compared to other FPGA solutions. It is believed that these distinct advantages will promote the adoption of FPGAs within the $20 billion ASIC marketplace.
Working in conjunction with Synplicity’s Synplify, Synplify Pro and now Synplify DSP, Lattice offers a broad set of powerful tools for all design tasks including project management, IP integration, design planning and place and route, as well as in-system logic analysis for a comprehensive design solution for engineers.
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-- 2007-11-08 00:15:49
Fujitsu Microelectronics Develops LSIs with Embedded Multimedia Functions
Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd (FMAL) today announced the development of two new controller LSIs, the MB88388A and MB88389, which support the IDB-1394 standard for in-vehicle multimedia networks.
The MB88388A is the industry’s first device to support vehicle navigation imaging using the IDB-1394 standard. It implements the Fujitsu proprietary SmartCODEC, a video codec specified under the IDB-1394 international standard for in-vehicle video transmission. SmartCODEC, which was developed by Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd., can transmit high-resolution video without perceptible latencies. By combining the MB88388A with the MB88389 IC for 1394-compliant audio, it is possible to realize high-quality, cost-effective rear-seat entertainment.
SmartCODEC codec for video is used in the BT.601 Transport over IEEE.1394 standard, a protocol for sending BT.601 video streams such as YUV and RGB over IDB-1394 network. It allows transmitting video from DVD, digital TV, and car navigation sources at high resolution without perceptible lag. As encoding occurs only within SmartCODEC’s internal line memory, external frame buffers are unnecessary.
Both MB88388A and MB88389 devices incorporate the physical layer (PHY) and link layer functions specified in the IDB-1394 standard, with support for 100/200/400 Mbps data transmission speeds. This single-chip implementation reduces the number of parts required. Both of the new devices also implement digital transmission content protection (DTCP) to prevent unauthorized duplication of digital content. Two streams can be simultaneously encrypted and decrypted.
IDB-1394 is an international data networking standard for transmitting video, audio, and other multimedia data over an in-vehicle network. Various automobile manufacturers now view the standard as necessary to enable rear-seat entertainment systems that can play DVDs, show digital TV programming, and offer access to the car navigation system.
Also, because IDB-1394 can be configured as a multiplexing network, multiple video streams can be transmitted simultaneously over the same physical layer. As a result, the vehicle network can carry complex information over a single cable, reducing wiring-harness complexity and weight. The MB88389 controller can be integrated into the IDB-1394 network for lower cost audio networking.
“We are pleased to see the first fully integrated IDB-1394 compliant LSI product from Fujitsu,” said Mark Spain, director of Microsoft Automotive Business Unit. “We support this standard and plan to utilize it for the Microsoft Auto platform designed to create advanced in-vehicle infotainment systems. As digital experiences grow, software and services are expected to converge in the car, requiring standard platforms and enabling technologies like that form Microsoft and Fujitsu.”
Fujitsu plans to expand its range of IDB-1394-compliant offerings, in view of the growth types of in-vehicle content, and to accommodate multiple data transmissions from peripheral car security cameras, and further system cost reductions.
Engineering samples for MB88388A and MB88389 will be available from December 1, 2007 onwards.
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-- 2007-11-07 00:08:28
Pulsic Advisory Board Appoints Watanabe from Cadence Japan
Bristol, England – November 6th, 2007 - Pulsic Limited, the leader in custom design automation for memory, today announces that it has appointed Keiichi Watanabe to its advisory board to focus on helping further expand Pulsic’s successful Japan and Asia business.
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Mr Watanabe has most recently been the Vice President for Cadence Japan, where he focused on direct sales to major accounts. He has also served as President and CEO of Zuken Redac Inc, taking the company to a successful IPO on the Tokyo stock market. As President and CEO of Mentor Japan he succeeded, through the acquisition of Cadix, in developing the company to become market leader in PCB. Ken Roberts, CEO for Pulsic, said, “Mr Watanabe’s senior board member background, coupled with his extensive managerial and technical experience with Cadence Japan and other EDA international organisations, will undoubtedly lead to a vital input to our strategic thinking and technical development. “Pulsic has nine of the world’s top ten(1) memory companies as customers and has reached another very exciting time in our development of Custom Design Automation (CDA) software. We are looking forward to continuing to make a big impact in the Asia-Pac markets,” he added. ---ENDS--- About Pulsic Pulsic Limited is a fast growing EDA company focused on custom design automation for memory. Nine of the top ten(1) memory companies use Pulsic’s leading physical design software to improve their design productivity, by automating the layout of peripheral and control logic. Pulsic’s product range includes hierarchical floorplanning, detailed placement, automatic routing and interactive editing. Pulsic has delivered more than 150 tape-outs with over 40 customers worldwide and is the only supplier of specialized layout automation for memory. Pulsic was founded in January 2000 and is a privately held company, headquartered in Bristol, UK. For more information, email info@pulsic.com, telephone +44 (0)117 325 5000 or visit www.pulsic.com. (1) Top 10 Memory Companies According to our research, the top 10 memory companies by revenue are, in alphabetical order: Elpida Memory, Inc. (TSE: 6665), Hynix Semiconductor Inc. (KSE: 000660), Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC), Micron Technology Inc. (NYSE: MU), Nanya Technology (Taiwan: 2408), Qimonda AG (NYSE: QI), Samsung (KSE: 005930), Sandisk Corporation (Nasdaq: SNDK) , Spansion (Nasdaq: SPSN) and Toshiba (TSE: 6502). Distributed on behalf of Pulsic by NeonDrum Liz Hartney Tel: +44 7510518732 liz.hartney[at]neondrum[dot]com www.neondrum.com --Liz Hartney 2007-11-06 09:59:34
Synplicity India Expands Its R&D Operations in Bangalore
Synplicity, Inc., (Nasdaq: SYNP) a leading supplier of innovative IC design and verification solutions, today announced the inauguration of its new development facility in Bangalore. This facility is a part of the ongoing expansion of Synplicity in India and is located at the International Technology Park, Whitefield. The new office was inaugurated by Gary Meyers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Synplicity Inc.
Synplicity’s India team consists of one third of the organization’s worldwide R&D team and this will grow up to 50% within the next four-five years. Synplicity India has also announced that it will increase its headcount by 20-30% by end of 2008.
Commenting on the inauguration of its new office in Bangalore, Gary Meyers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Director, Synplicity Inc. said, “India’s role in Synplicity’s global strategy has become crucial. The India center has contributed significantly to all of our products and we plan to continue increasing our presence here.”
Dr. Ananda, Managing Director, Synplicity India said, “Synplicity’s growth in India is a reflection of our commitment and the consistently improving capabilities of the India center. With India’s strong base in chip designing, the EDA industry has tremendous growth potential in the country. The Indian EDA product market is expected to grow to $1 billion by 2015. We will continue to expand our operations to leverage this market opportunity.”
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-10-31 00:20:09
Analog Devices Opens its Second Development Center in Bangalore
Bangalore, India, October 25, 2007: Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, today announced the opening of its second development facility in Bangalore. This facility is a part of the ongoing expansion of Analog Devices in India and is located in RMZ Infinity Technology Park on Old Madras Road. This centre will help Analog Devices India to further develop on its core strengths such as analog IC design, high-speed DSP IC design and multimedia embedded software. The new office was inaugurated by Samuel H. Fuller, Vice President - Research and Development, Analog Devices Inc.
Samuel H. Fuller also participated in ADI’s ‘India Technology Day’ today, an annual event showcasing the work carried out by Analog Devices’ engineers. In the company’s tradition of collegial interaction and mentorship, a paper presentation competition was also organized for ADI engineers.
Commenting on the inauguration of its second office in Bangalore, Samuel H. Fuller, VP – R&D, Analog Devices Inc. said, “India’s role in Analog Devices’ global strategy is increasingly becoming crucial and the India Development Center is considered as the global lead center of excellence for a variety of core technologies and products. The new development center is a reiteration of Analog Devices’ commitment to India and we will continue investing in the growth of our employees here.”
Dr. Reddy Penumalli, Managing Director, Analog Devices India said, “Analog Devices’ growth in India is a recognition by the company of excellent results delivered and consistently improving capabilities of the India center. Over the last ten years we have built a world class development center here, carrying out complete product development. This new facility is equipped to accommodate 130 engineers and is aligned with our expansion strategy.”
About Analog Devices
Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating over 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ADI" and is included in the S&P 500 Index. www.analog.com
Analog Devices India
Analog Devices has been in India for more than 20 years. ADI has a well established sales and distribution network across India which serve and support major manufacturing and design services companies in the Telecom, Industrial, Defense and IT segments.
ADI’s India Product Development Center (IPDC), Bangalore is involved in some of the most challenging technologies today, such as high-speed DSP IC design, Analog IC design, and Multi-media embedded software. Other groups include Application Engineering and Product and Test Engineering. Three generations of industry leading SHARC processors have been developed at IPDC, as well as several advanced analog and mixed signal designs. Engineers at IPDC are involved in all stages of product development from "Concept to Silicon to Production".
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-10-25 09:10:40
Saifun Adopts Pulsic Technology Following Rigorous Trial
Bristol, England – October 15th 2007 - Pulsic Limited, the leader in custom design automation for memory, today announced that it has entered into a long-term agreement to licence its leading-edge physical design technology to Saifun Semiconductors Ltd.
Yoram Betser, Vice President of Design for Saifun, commented: “Saifun provides flash designs to some of the world's leading flash manufacturers. After carrying out a detailed evaluation, we chose the Pulsic solution as we believe it will provide us with significant productivity gains in relation to our unique and innovative NROM memory IP.”
The Pulsic technology will be used to help deliver non-volatile memory (NVM) designs and IP based on the unique Saifun NROM™ technology. The NROM cell architecture enables lower overall form factors, improved yields compared to stack-die, as well as lower system, operation and maintenance costs.
With nine of the top ten memory manufacturers using Pulsic software in production, Saifun’s endorsement adds to Pulsic’s leadership in this most challenging of design environments.
Memory designers face unique, bleeding-edge design challenges, such as stringent design rules and tough topologies, along with time-to-market and more importantly, time-to-volume demands. Unity™, Pulsic’s unique custom design automation solution, has been designed to fit with custom design methodologies that require interactivity and the ability to iterate and accommodate engineering change orders.
Ken Roberts, CEO at Pulsic, commented: “This is an exciting win for Pulsic and we are delighted to have signed a contract with such a leading edge company as Saifun. Pulsic is the only EDA vendor focused on providing dedicated solutions in the memory market, and our link-up with Saifun is a good, strategic fit for both parties.”
---ENDS---
About Saifun Semiconductors Ltd.
Saifun is a provider of intellectual property (IP) solutions for the non-volatile memory (NVM) market. The company’s innovative Saifun NROM® technology allows semiconductor manufacturers to deliver high performance, reliable products at a lower cost per megabit, with greater storage capacity, using a single process for all NVM applications. Saifun licenses its IP to semiconductor manufacturers who use this technology to develop and manufacture a variety of stand-alone and embedded NVM products. These include Flash memory for the telecommunications, consumer electronic, networking and automotive markets. Among the companies currently licensing Saifun NROM technology are Macronix International, NEC Electronics, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, Sony Corporation, Spansion, and Tower Semiconductor.
About Pulsic
Pulsic Limited is a fast growing EDA company focused on custom design automation for memory. Pulsic’s leading physical design software improves the design productivity at nine of the top ten memory companies by automating the layout of peripheral and control logic. Pulsic’s product range includes hierarchical floorplanning, detailed placement, automatic routing and interactive editing. Pulsic has delivered more than 150 tape-outs with over 40 customers worldwide and is the only supplier of specialized layout automation for memory. Pulsic was founded in January 2000 and is a privately held company, headquartered in Bristol, UK.
For more information, email info@pulsic.com, telephone +44 (0)117 325 5000 or visit www.pulsic.com.
Distributed on behalf of Pulsic by NeonDrum
Liz Hartney
Tel: +44 7747017654
liz.hartney[at]neondrum[dot]com
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--Liz Hartney 2007-10-15 14:43:40
Analog Devices Expands its RF Portfolio
Bangalore, October 11, 2007 — Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, today announced the ADF4157, a new high frequency, fractional-N PLL synthesizer for applications that require low phase noise and ultra-fine-tuning resolution, such as satellite communications, private mobile radios (PMR), instrumentation and wireless base station equipment, including those that support GSM, PCS, DCS, WiMAX, CDMA and W-CDMA networks. The 25-bit fixed-modulus divider provides for ultra-fine frequency resolution. Design and simulation software, which greatly simplifies and streamlines loop filter design, is available free of charge as a download from Analog Devices’ Web site at http://www.analog.com/adisimpll.
“ADI's PLL synthesizer portfolio now spans from 5-MHz to 8-GHz with more than 5 new PLLs released in the last year,” said David Boylan, business director, RF Limerick, Analog Devices, Inc. “The PLLs are supported by the ADIsimPLL simulation design aid, which thousands of wireless systems designers are now using to speed their synthesizer developments.”
Analog Devices will showcase the ADF4157 at the European Microwave Conference, Oct. 8 - 12 in Munich, Germany (Booth #946), together with other innovations from ADI’s broad RF portfolio for applications including, wireless infrastructure, instrumentation, satellite communications and broadband access.
More about the ADF4157
The ADF4157 operates up to 6-GHz using a power supply ranging from 2.7 V to 3.3 V. The device can be powered down when not in use, resulting in overall system current reduction from 23 mA to 0.01 mA. The ADF4157 consists of a low-noise digital phase-frequency detector (PFD), a precision high-voltage charge pump, a programmable reference divider, programmable charge pump currents and a 25-bit fixed-modulus fractional divider. Additionally, the RF output phase is programmable for applications that require a particular phase relationship between the output and the reference. A simple three-wire interface controls all of the on-chip registers. The ADF4157 also features separate VP for extended VCO tuning voltage and a digital lock-detect function. The ADF4157 is fully pin-compatible with the ADF411x, ADF410x and ADF415x PLL synthesizers from Analog Devices.
Pricing and Availability
The ADF4157 is available in two package options, a 20-lead LFCSP (lead-frame chip-scale package) and a 16-lead TSSOP (thin-shrink small-outline package), and is priced at $3.21 per unit in quantities of 1,000. For more information, visit www.analog.com/pr/ADF4157.
ADI in Radio Frequency ICs
Using a unique combination of design skills, process technologies, and system understanding, Analog Devices offers a broad portfolio of RF ICs, including complete chipsets and a full range of high-performance RF function blocks. ADI’s extensive offerings include: direct digital synthesizers (DDS); phase-locked loop synthesizers (PLLs); detectors and logarithmic amplifiers; X-AMP® fixed- and variable-gain amplifiers (Vegas); Trooper™ RF power detectors; mixers, modulators and demodulators; integrated IF amplifiers; transceivers and transmitters for short range devices.
About Analog Devices
Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ADI" and is included in the S&P 500 Index.
Analog Devices India
Hyderabad Development Center (HDC)
The Hyderabad Development Center (HDC) is an Analog Devices' center of excellence for embedded software and systems development for Audio, Multi-media and RF Wireless markets. The center has technology expertise in System integration and System validation, including optimized Codecs for Audio, Video and Voice.
India Product Development Center (IPDC)
The India Product Development Center (IPDC), Bangalore is involved in some of the most challenging technologies today, such as high-speed DSP IC design, Analog IC design, and Multi-media embedded software. Other groups include DSP Application Engineering and DSP Product and Test Engineering.
Three generations of industry leading DSP SHARC processors have been developed at IPDC .Engineers at IPDC are involved in all stages of product development from "Concept to Silicon to Production".
India Sales
ADI India sales has well established sales and distribution network across India which serve and support major manufacturing and design services companies in the Telecom, Industrial, Defense and IT segments.
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ADIsimPLL™ is a trademark of Analog Devices, Inc. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-10-11 03:41:24
Analog Devices Expands Advantiv Portfolio - Adds Audio processors and Class-D amplifiers
Bangalore, October 04 – Expanding its Advantiv™ advanced television solutions portfolio, Analog Devices, Inc., today introduced audio processors and Class-D audio power amplifiers that deliver a complete advanced TV audio sub-system while allowing designers to meet multiple product performance and price targets. Designed to work together, the chips provide all the critical sub-system functionality required for an advanced TV audio implementation, including an embedded processing engine to ensure big sound from small speakers; analog interfaces for line inputs/outputs; analog broadcast audio decoding and speaker output; flexible, multi-format digital interfaces for HDMI sources and all digital terrestrial and satellite broadcasts); and audio/video ‘lip-synch’ delay correction and synchronization.
“The engineering required for the audio processor and Class-D power stage amplifier to work well together is significant,” said Martin Cotter, product line director, Advanced Television Segment, Analog Devices. “ADI has solved the design difficulties associated with this open-loop interface, thereby eliminating customary system-level concerns, such as “pop/click” reduction and physical interfacing challenges. This reduces design cycle time, minimizes system cost, and delivers a quality audio experience for consumers--key benefits for TV manufacturers with defined 12-month new product refresh cycles.”
About the Audio Processors
ADI’s new ADAV4101, ADAV4312 and ADAV4322 audio processors incorporate a powerful, embedded processing engine to compensate for the space-constrained speakers in today’s thin flat, LCD, and plasma TV designs. This “digital audio enhancement engine” does all the processing necessary to deliver the big sound required to match high-definition video quality. This feature is coupled with high-performance, multi-channel, 24-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that accept analog line inputs from DVD/VCR players and set-top boxes and drive analog audio to power amplifiers for speakers or auxiliary outputs.
“The ADAV43x2 and ADAV44x2 audio processors are not just input/ouput devices with lots of high performing digital interfaces, analog interfaces and multiple ADCs and DACs doing advanced signal processing,” said Martin Cotter. “They are enhanced, fully programmable audio processors, with full support for HD-ready and iDTV designs. They also support multi-standard analog broadcasts, such as BTSC, EIAJ, A2-Korea, A2-Europe, and NICAM, from analog terrestrial tuners via an on-chip demodulator and decoder.”
The audio processors provide a range of flexible digital interfaces, with sample rate conversion, which ensures the devices are fully compatible with the requirements of interfacing to HDMI audio and digital tuners. By default, the devices load a dedicated TV audio flow that incorporates full matrix switching to allow any input source type to be connected to any output.
While providing standard TV audio processing, they can also be designed to enable advanced audio features, such as full-room equalization, surround-sound virtualization or bass-frequency enhancement. Many of these features are offered from Analog Devices or under license from third-party suppliers, such as Dolby, SRS-Labs, and BBE. The audio processors also enable design engineers to customize the audio flow to conform to specific system or customer needs. Analog Devices provides a range of tools, including the award winning SigmaStudio™ graphical design tool, to allow easy debug and verification of any customized implementations. They also feature automatic volume control to compensate for volume changes during advertisements or when switching channels, dynamic bass, a multi-band equalizer, and up to 400 ms of delay memory for audio/video synchronization.
About the Class-D Amplifiers
ADI’s audio processors are complemented by new Class-D amplifiers. The ADAU1590, ADAU1592 and ADAU1513 are 2-channel Class-D amplifiers with the best performance of any audio power amplifiers in their class. The new amplifiers have a 90 percent power efficiency rating at 8 ohms and a 101-dB dynamic range. The ADAU1590 and ADAU1592 feature on-chip PDM (pulse-density modulation) and a closed-loop architecture that ensures premium audio amplification by conditioning a signal to compensate for output errors before it is sent to the speaker. They also include integrated sigma-delta modulators that accept an analog input signal and generate a switching output to drive the speakers directly. The ADAU1590 and ADAU1592 achieve 0.005 percent THD+N (total harmonic distortion-plus-noise) while delivering 11.5W (stereo) and 18W (stereo) into 6 Ohms respectively. The low distortion, noise and PSRR (power supply rejection ratio) combine with the optimized interface of ADI’s audio processor (ADAV4101/4312/4322) to suppress audio pops and clicks when the TV is turned on or off and eliminate residual background noise when the speaker volume is at its lowest setting.
The ADAU1513 Class-D power stage, delivering 14W (stereo) into 8 Ohms with 90 percent efficiency, is directly driven from the PWM digital outputs on the ADAV4201, ADAV4412 or ADAV4422 audio processor. The power stage comprises thermal and output short-circuit protection with logic-level error flag outputs for interfacing to a system microcontroller along with reset and mute control of the power stage.
Availability and Pricing
The ADAV4101, ADAV4312, ADAV4322, ADAV4201, ADAV4412 and ADAV4422 audio processors are available in production volume now. They are available in an 80-lead LQFP (low-profile quad flat package) and are pin-for-pin and software-register compatible. For pricing info, please contact av.products@analog.com. For more information, please visit: http://www.analog.com/pr/Advantiv/audio.
The ADAU1590, ADAU1592 and ADAU1513 Class-D amplifiers are available in production volume now. The ADAU1590, ADAU1592 and ADAU1513 amplifiers are available in 48-lead LFCSP (lead frame chipscale package) and 48-lead TQFP (thin quad flat package). For pricing info, please contact av.products@analog.com. For more information, please visit: http://www.analog.com/pr/class-damps.
Analog Devices in Advanced TV
Because the signal processing performance requirements for HD video, audio and interconnect functions are significantly higher than for standard-definition TVs, ADI offers the Advantiv™ advanced television portfolio, providing cost-effective analog, digital, and mixed-signal solutions to the most difficult multi-format ATV design challenges. Supported by ADI’s system-level experts, these customer-driven solutions enable the latest in HD home entertainment systems. Analog Devices offers a broad range of industry-certified solutions for advanced television (ATV) applications, with products that enable rewarding experiences for consumers enjoying the latest high-definition (HD) TVs, DVD players, digital video recorders, audio/video receivers, camcorders and cable and satellite set-top boxes. For more information visit http://www.analog.com/pr/advantiv.
About Analog Devices
Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating over 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ADI” and is included in the S&P 500 Index. http://www.analog.com
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-10-04 03:56:36
Analog Devices launches Advantiv - Advanced Television Solutions Portfolio
Bangalore, October 03 —Consumers’ home entertainment expectations are being shaped by the brilliant images and vibrant sounds promised by digital TV technology, but even the savviest consumers may not realize that inside a broad range of AV systems, analog technology is the key to creating the immersive, life-like high-definition (HD) experience desired by most. Signal processing leader, Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), is working in lock-step with the world’s best-known digital TV and HD home theater equipment manufacturers, including LG, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and Toshiba, to engineer the video, audio and connectivity building blocks and system-level innovations necessary to deliver the HDTV experience.
ADI’s analog technology is used to produce big sound from the thin, wall-mounted TVs, without the clutter of external speakers; to automatically lower the volume when the programming changes to loud scenes or to intrusive advertisements; to compensate for cable connections that are too long or of poor quality, thereby degrading the image and the sound; and, as a leading developer of HDMI solutions, ADI’s analog technology is even helping to create consumer electronics equipment that can all be controlled by a single remote. These are just a few of the design challenges unique to HD digital equipment and solved by ADI. The enabling role ADI’s analog signal processing expertise plays in today’s digital entertainment experience is reflected in recent revenue growth, where ADI sales into the consumer electronics market have increased an average of 20 percent per year for the past four years.
“What designers of digital entertainment products know, and what consumers may not realize, is that analog performance is paramount to the quality of the digital entertainment experience,” said John Hussey, vice president of High-Speed Signal Processing, Analog Devices. “As demand for digital entertainment increases, high-performance analog signal processing has become the key to unlocking a compelling HD viewing experience that is no longer compromised by image artifacts, sub-standard audio, dropped or reflected signals or equipment compatibility issues. That’s why the most advanced digital television products – from the world’s largest flat-panel TVs to the handiest HD camcorders – rely on digital entertainment solutions from ADI’s advanced television solutions portfolio.”
Advanced TV: A Host of Design Challenges
Unit sales of HDTVs are forecasted to increase at 44 percent CAGR from 2005 to 2010, according to research firm DisplaySearch. This rise in popularity of HD introduces a host of design challenges not present with standard-definition TV technology. These challenges include
digital content protection; complex HD signal routing; larger and flatter screens; audio with 7.1-channel surround sound; and connectivity issues created by longer cable lengths and new interface standards. ADI solves these challenges throughout the electronics that comprise the advanced TV ecosystem, including high-definition DVD players, DVRs (digital video recorders), AVRs (audio/video receivers), and HD-camcorders, as well as the interconnect technology that preserves HD signal fidelity as content is distributed throughout the home.
ADI’s Advantiv™ portfolio of advanced television solutions helps consumer equipment manufacturers clear these and other technical hurdles by supplying the industry’s most comprehensive line of high-performance audio, video, display, and HDMI™ (High Definition Multimedia Interface™)-compliant connectivity solutions. For more information, visit http://www.analog.com/pr/advantivwhitepaper.
ADI’s Advantiv™ Advanced TV Solutions: Optimizing Audio, Video, and Connectivity for the HD Environment
Essential to a positive home theater experience are great sound, crisp images and seamless system connectivity. Analog Devices’ Advantiv advanced television solutions portfolio includes products and design support that address a variety of system-level functions, including the following:
Audio: Although today’s flat-panel HDTVs provide consumers with unprecedented flexibility when it comes to configuring their entertainment centers, manufacturers face a number of critical design challenges in order to match audio performance with the high-definition video performance and great looks of today’s HDTVs. Ironically, it is the highly desirable, slim-profile, wall design of the LCD and plasma screens itself that compromises optimum speaker selection and placement, as well as efficient amplification. To solve this problem, ADI’s advanced audio processors provide HDTV developers a broad selection of audio enhancements ranging from basic speaker equalization to sophisticated surround-sound virtualization. In addition, ADI’s space-saving Class-D audio amplifiers provide the power needed to deliver the same audio experience consumers are accustomed to receiving from large TV cabinets. The overall audio sub-system has been designed to seamlessly interface to Analog Devices’ video processing sub-system.
Analog Devices today expanded its Advantiv advanced television solutions portfolio with the introduction of the ADAV43x2 and ADAV44x2 advanced TV audio processor families whose many features include automatic volume control, dynamic bass, a multi-band equalizer and up to 200 ms of stereo delay memory for audio/video synchronization. TV makers are also turning to ADI’s audio solutions to solve problems like fluctuating volume changes that occur during advertisements or when TV viewers switch channels. ADI today also launched the ADAU1590, ADAU1592 and ADAU1513 Class-D audio amplifiers, which can deliver up to two times 18W, 0.005 percent THD+N and are designed to optimally interface to the TV audio processors. For press release, visit http://www.analog.com/pr/audiorel.
Video: HDTV consumers expecting crystal-clear video quality at all times can be frustrated when faced with “dropouts” or other image artifacts occurring in wireless HD connections for their home theater. Many consumers want the convenience of adding a wireless HD connection and yet aren’t aware that high-performance image compression is the key to preserving their image quality. One of the primary reasons for the drop in quality found in many wireless video systems is that most video compression formats cannot provide visually lossless compression in real-time, and at consumer prices. These formats are also highly susceptible to disruptions in the data stream that are common in wireless environments. ADI’s Wavescale™ video compression technology, which is part of ADI’s Advantiv advanced television solutions portfolio, preserves high-definition quality even in noisy wireless environments, while drastically reducing the visual impact of errors that can occur in wireless transmission channels. Analog Devices today introduced the ADV216 Wavescale video compression CODEC for wireless and wired high-definition video transmission in consumer applications. The complete video solution uses the same technology employed today in broadcast, professional and digital cinema applications. For press release, visit http://www.analog.com/pr/videorel.
Connectivity: One common frustration with HD home entertainment systems is the confusion created by the number of remotes required to control a TV, DVD player, cable or satellite box and mobile peripherals, such as video recorders and portable media players. Users must navigate different menu configurations and feature options, while juggling multiple remotes that create clutter and require more batteries and more frequent battery replacement. With the industry’s broadest line of HDMI connectivity solutions, Analog Devices recently introduced the ADV7520NK HDMI v1.3-compatible transmitter for portable media and DVD players, video recorders, and other mobile HD multimedia devices. New to ADI’s Advantiv advanced TV portfolio, the ADV7520NK is the industry’s first HDMI transmitter to include CEC (consumer electronic control) support on-chip. This reduces component count, eases design complexity and speeds time to market for portable high-definition (HD) devices by eliminating the need for the design engineer to develop a separate CEC support channel. The new transmitter consumes half the power of competitive devices in active mode and just 10 percent of the power in power-down mode, extending the battery life of handheld consumer electronics. For press release, visit http://www.analog.com/pr/connectivityrel.
Analog Devices in Advanced TV
Because the signal processing performance requirements for HD video, audio and interconnect functions are significantly higher than for standard-definition TVs, ADI offers the Advantiv™ advanced television portfolio, providing cost-effective analog, digital, and mixed-signal solutions to the most difficult multi-format ATV design challenges. Supported by ADI’s system-level experts, these customer-driven solutions enable the latest in HD home entertainment systems. Analog Devices offers a broad range of industry-certified solutions for advanced television (ATV) applications, with products that enable rewarding experiences for consumers enjoying the latest high-definition (HD) TVs, DVD players, digital video recorders, audio/video receivers, camcorders and cable and satellite set-top boxes. For more information, visit http://www.analog.com/pr/advantiv.
About Analog Devices
Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating over 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ADI” and is included in the S&P 500 Index. http://www.analog.com
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Advantiv and Wavescale are trademarks of Analog Devices, Inc. HDMI and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-10-04 00:22:17
Fujitsu Microelectronics Launches High-Efficiency Power Management LSI for Ultra-Mobile PCs
Bangalore, October 01, 2007 - Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd (FMAL) today announced the development of a one-chip system power management LSI for ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), to supply power to the system, memory, and chipsets in UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PCs).
As an industry first for one-chip integration, the MB39C308 complies with the upcoming version of the Low Power Intel Architecture (LPIA) specification proposed by Intel Corporation as a low-power platform for UMPCs. The MB39C308 also meets the next-generation LPIA platform requirement of a six-channel DC/DC converter (*1) control circuit, while integrating other peripheral components onto the chip. This enables the power management system to be reduced to less than one-third the size of other similar products. The increased efficiency of the new device’s power supply is a major factor in extending the operating time of the UMPC battery.
The MB39C308 was jointly developed with Fujitsu VLSI Limited, utilizing Laterally Diffused MOS (LDMOS) technology. By using an LDMOS technology and revising the transistor structure, the MB39C308 supplies power from a lithium-ion battery at high-efficiency rates without dispersion. The DC/DC converter control circuits incorporated in the chip generate voltages across six different channels and support power for memory, the chipset and external systems such as wireless LAN, as required in the 2008 version of the LPIA platform.
Also, a switching FET integrated in the MB39C308 can drive a current of 1.5 Amps to 3.5 Amps. This benefits the memory and chipset, reducing the number of peripheral components and the size of the power management system. In addition, by optimizing components to comply with the LPIA platform and embedding them into the power management IC, it becomes possible to eliminate the requirement to set voltage or current when designing power management systems.
Ultra-compact mobile PCs can run the same operating system as regular-sized PCs. For these UMPCs, it is necessary to supply differing voltages to the processor, chipset memory, and other parts. To extend the operating time of the battery, processor consumption must be reduced and power management ICs are required in order to reduce power supply system size, including control circuits that can supply a large current with high efficiency from a lithium ion battery.
Launched in 2006, the market for UMPCs is likely to reach five million units in 2008. Responding to the growing needs, Fujitsu plans to expand its line-up of power management LSIs for UMPCs.
Key Features
1. One-chip DC/DC converter control circuit, compliant with next LPIA platform for UMPCs
DC/DC converter control circuits, which generate voltages across 6 different channels and which support power for memory (excluding the processor), the chipset and external systems (various applications such as wireless LAN) as outlined in the 2008 version of the LPIA platform, have been integrated onto a single chip.
2. Realizes high-efficiency power supply required for UMPCs
By utilizing a new LDMOS technology (*2) and revising the transistor structure, this new LSI makes it possible to supply power from a lithium ion battery as a large current at high efficiency rates, without dispersion.
3. Reduced size and simplified design of power-managing system through reduction of peripheral components
For the memory and chipset, by integrating into the power management LSI a switching FET (*3) capable of driving a large current of 1.5 Amperes to 3.5 Amperes, the number of necessary peripheral components has been reduced. This enables a size reduction of the power management system to less than one-third (1/3) that of conventional products from other companies. In addition, by optimizing various setting components so that they are compliant with the LPIA platform, and embedding them into the power management LSI, effort that had been required in the past to set voltage or current when designing power management systems is now alleviated.
Glossary
*1. DC/DC converter:
A circuit that converts the voltage level of a direct current, to a different voltage level.
*2. LDMOS:
LDMOS stands for Laterally Diffused MOS. Has the characteristic of being able to handle higher voltages than average CMOS.
*3. Switching FET:
A switch that supplies current from input to output. FET stands for Field Effect Transistor.
Specifications of the MB39C308
Power Supply Voltage
5.5V~12.6V
Topology
Current Mode (*1) 6 Channel (ch) voltage down conversion
Power Frequency
700KHz(±20%) fixed
Output Precision (*2)
±5.0% (transient response included *3)
Output Voltage Preset
Ch1: 5.0V Ch2: 3.3V Ch3: 1.8V/1.5V Ch4: 0.9V/0.75V
Ch5: 1.5V Ch6: 1.1V/1.05V
Digital Software Start/Stop (*4)
1.7msec ~ 9msec variation
Power Good Function (*5)
Ch1 ~ Ch6,
Ch3 ~ Ch6 (memory, chipset) all power good function embedded
Protection Function
UVLO/OCP/OVP/OTP/SCP/IVP (*6)
Operating Temperature Range
-30°C ~ 85°C
Package
Plastic BGA-208 pin
(*1) Current Mode: DC/DC control format with current feedback.
(*2) Power Supply Precision: Precision shown is with Fujitsu’s evaluation board and evaluation conditions.
(*3) Transient Response: Output voltage change corresponding to an output current change.
(*4) Digital Software Start/Stop: a function to start and stop the output voltage, that doesn’t depend on the output current, by using a digital counter internally in the LSI.
(*5) Power Good Function: when the output voltage is 90%~110% of the set value, it outputs a signal.
(*6) UVLO/OCP/OVP/OTP/SCP/IVP: Under Voltage Lockout / Over Current Protection / Output Over Voltage Protection / Over Temperature Protection / Short-Circuit Protection / Input Over Voltage Protection.
About Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd
Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd was established as the Asia Pacific Headquarters of Fujitsu Limited Electronic Devices Group in 1986. It provides support, sales and marketing of semiconductors and electronic devices to the Asia Pacific region, including India and Oceania. Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia offers a wide and varied product range like ASIC, ASSPs, Microcontrollers / Microprocessors (FR-V), System Memory (Flash Memory / FRAM / FCRAM) and System LSIs (DVD MPEG Source Decoders / MPEG –2 Encoders).
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-10-03 01:05:39
Analog Devices launches Digital to Analog Converter Families for Wideband Communications Application
The AD974x and AD978x families are the latest additions to Analog Devices’ TxDAC® portfolio of digital-to-analog converters (DACs) optimized for the transmit signal path of communications systems. The new two-channel, high-speed DACs include the AD974x family of 8-, 10,-, 12-, 14-, and 16-bit devices with sample rates up to 250 MSPS (million samples per second) using LVCMOS (low-voltage CMOS) inputs; and the AD978x family of 12-, 14-, and 16-bit DACs, which use LVDS (low-voltage differential signaling) inputs to achieve sample rates as fast as 600 MSPS. Both families of TxDAC devices feature low noise and low intermodulation distortion to enable the high-quality synthesis of wideband cellular signals.
The AD974x and AD978x TxDAC devices offer best-in-class W-CDMA ACLR (adjacent-channel leakage ratio) performance of 80 dBc at 61.44 MHz, a 5-dBc improvement over the nearest competitive transmit DACs. ACLR is a measure of transmitter performance defined as the ratio of the transmitted power to the power measured after a receiver filter in the adjacent RF channel. The new TxDAC ICs are ideal for many wideband communications standards, including GSM, W-CDMA, CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA, WiMAX, LMDS/MMDS, and point-to-point wideband. They are also designed for instrumentation applications, such as RF signal generators, automated test equipment and ultrasound systems.
New Design Technique Eliminates IF Mixing Stage
The AD974x and AD978x families integrate a new mixer function that provides designers with a usable output beyond Nyquist frequency. In the “normal mode,” the signal in the first Nyquist zone is strongest. In the “mixer mode,” the DACs can directly generate RF signals by boosting the signal power in the second and third Nyquist zones. This allows designers to eliminate a mixing stage, reducing component count and design complexity in direct-RF applications.
The AD974x and AD978x families also integrate two auxiliary DACs that can be used to compensate for TxDAC device or mixer offset errors without adding external components. The new DACs operate from 1.8-V and 3.3-V power supplies and have power dissipation of 315 mW.
The AD974x and AD978x TxDAC families are pin-compatible and interface to analog quadrature modulators, such as Analog Devices’ ADL5370.
Availability and Pricing
The AD974x (AD9741/42/45/46/47) and AD978x (AD9780/81/83) TxDAC families are available now in full production quantities. The new DACs are priced from $14.59 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities and are available in a 72-lead LFCSP (lead-frame chip-scale package). For more information, visit: http://www.analog.com/pr/AD9747 or http://www.analog.com/prAD9783.
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-09-28 03:41:47
Analog Devices Introduces RF Transceivers for Mobile WiMAX Applications
September 27, Bangalore. – Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, today introduced RF-to-digital baseband transceivers designed to enable the IEEE 802.16d/e mobile WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) standard for mobile communications devices, such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and handheld multimedia devices. WiMAX terminals enable wireless broadband connectivity with dramatically lower installation costs than competitive wired solutions. As WiMAX evolves from a fixed-line protocol to one that increasingly serves portable communications applications, device makers are requiring smaller, more energy-efficient solutions that meet the cost, space and power budgets of mobile communications terminals.
Building on ADI’s AD9352 and AD9353 family of integrated WiMAX transceivers introduced in 2006, the AD9354 and AD9355 consume less power than other transceivers in their class and are available in a 20 percent smaller package, while adding an additional receiver path for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) support. The power and space savings of the AD9354 and AD9355 enable manufacturers to incorporate WIMAX functionality into handsets, thumb drives or PCMCIA cards. By integrating ADCs, DACs and real-time control and calibration loops, the transceivers enable designers to eliminate all analog and RF functionality from their baseband processors.
With separate digital and analog blocks, the communications and applications processors can be manufactured in the most cost-effective digital CMOS process technologies, reducing power, package size and system design complexity.
“As a high bandwidth technology capable of reaching across several kilometers, WiMAX is proving to be an ideal communications medium for mobile devices,” said J. Pierre Lamoureux, vice president and chief technology officer for Wavesat Inc., a leading fabless semiconductor developer of WiMAX baseband chips and development tools. “Analog Devices recognized this potential early on. ADI’s design efforts and ‘smart partitioning’ of the analog and digital blocks have yielded transceivers with the sensitivity and linearity that helps companies like Wavesat accelerate mobile WiMAX deployment.”
The AD9354 and AD9355 transceivers integrate two direct-conversion receivers that provide support for MIMO technology, which ensures mobile devices achieve uninterrupted WiMAX service. The direct-conversion transmitter architecture achieves state-of-the-art error vector magnitude (EVM), maximizing network throughput. The transceivers communicate with a WiMAX terminal’s baseband ASIC or FPGA using the industry standard JESD207 digital interface that Analog Devices helped to define. The data bus requires 13 pins, which is comparable to competitive products employing analog interfaces.
“By including on-chip data conversion and adding a second receiver signal chain to our transceiver architecture, Analog Devices is helping communications service providers extend WiMAX into the mobile marketplace,” said Thomas Gratzek, business director, Analog Devices. “The AD9354 and AD9355 cover the key WiMAX frequency bands and are ideally suited for the small form factors in development.”
More about the AD9354 and AD9355
The AD9354 and AD9355 operate in the 2.3- to 2.7-GHz and the 3.3- to 3.7-GHz ranges and support channel bandwidths of 3.5, 4.375, 5, 7, 8.75 and 10 MHz. The devices have an excellent 3.25 dB noise figure (NF) and best-in-class linearity, both of which enable optimum real-world performance as WiMAX network traffic increases. The smart partitioning architecture enables autonomous AGC (automatic-gain control), transmit-power control (TPC), and calibration routines that dramatically reduce the RF driver development effort. Additionally, the highly accurate closed-loop power control enables 1-point factory calibration of transmit power. In contrast, other transceivers require 8 to 10 calibration points, which increase final test costs and extended development times.
Availability and Pricing
The AD9354 and AD9355 mobile WiMAX transceivers are sampling now. The devices are priced at $11.45 per unit in sample volumes. The AD9354 and AD9355 are housed in an 8 mm × 8 mm, 64-lead LFCSP (lead-frame chip-scale package). For more information, visit http://www.analog.com/pr/AD9354.
About Analog Devices
Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating over 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ADI” and is included in the S&P 500 Index. http://www.analog.com
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-09-28 03:24:02
Synplicity Launches Newest Addition to the Haps ASIC Prototyping System
BANGALORE September 25, 2007 — Synplicity, Inc., (Nasdaq: SYNP) a leading supplier of innovative IC design and verification solutions, today announced an addition to its HAPS™ (High-performance ASIC Prototyping System™) product family. The HAPS-51 leverages the Xilinx Virtex™-5 LX330, the industry’s largest FPGA, and on-board memory to deliver faster ASIC verification. Previous HAPS systems employed daughter boards for memory access, while the new HAPS-51 uses memory located on the board and next to the FPGA device. As a result, the HAPS-51 system provides a cost-effective, high-performance prototyping solution that reduces development time for today’s challenging SoC designs. The HAPS systems are the centerpiece of Synplicity’s powerful Confirma™ at-speed ASIC/ASSP verification platform.
The modular and extensible architecture of the HAPS-51 system offers several beneficial features that are designed to appeal particularly to SoC designers and software developers. As with all HAPS systems, HAPS-51 utilizes the HapsTrak standard: a set of guidelines for pinout and mechanical characteristics to help ensure compatibility with previous and future generations of HAPS motherboards and daughter boards. A tight connection between the FPGA and the on-board DDR2 memory module enables flexible, high-speed memory access making the HAPS-51 a unique verification platform for all SoC designs with embedded processors and large software content. As with all HAPS-50 systems, the HAPS-51 is equipped with programmable clock generators, sophisticated monitoring and self-test features, as well as remote configuration and setup capabilities. Additionally, multiple boards can be stacked or interconnected to support virtually any size ASIC, ASSP, or SoC design.
“We have responded directly to customer requests for a HAPS platform that connects memory directly to the FPGA,” said Lars-Eric Lundgren, general manager of Synplicity Hardware Platforms Group. “The unique features in the HAPS-51 system, combined with Synplicity’s FPGA synthesis and debug software, equip design teams with an outstanding solution for verifying the functionality of today’s most advanced and challenging designs.”
Availability
For more information about Synplicity’s High-performance ASIC Prototyping System (HAPS) or the Confirma Platform go to www.synplicity.com, or contact your local Synplicity sales office.
Worldwide Seminar Series
During the months of October and November, 2007 Synplicity and Xilinx, Inc. the leading IC design, verification, and programmable logic solutions providers, will present industry-leading design and verification methodologies and provide valuable information to help designers save time and money on current or future design projects. For detailed information on the seminar series, go to http://www.synplicity.com/events/synplicity_xilinx_2007/.
About HAPS
HAPS – High-performance ASIC Prototyping System – is a high performance and high- capacity FPGA-based system for ASIC prototyping and emulation. HAPS is a modular system, with multi-FPGA motherboards and standard or custom-made daughter boards, which can be stacked together in a variety of ways. Among the functions available on standard daughter boards are video processing, various memory types, and interfaces to Ethernet, USB, PCI Express and ARM® code modules. For more information about HAPS visit www.synplicity.com/products/haps/
About Confirma
Synplicity’s Confirma platform is a tightly-integrated, easy to use, and comprehensive at-speed ASIC/ASSP verification flow that dramatically accelerates functional verification of ASIC, ASSP and SoC designs. The Confirma platform includes the Certify® multi-FPGA implementation tool; HAPS™ – High-performance ASIC Prototyping System™; and the Identify® Pro visibility and debugging software featuring the award-winning and revolutionary TotalRecall™ technology. When used together, these tools provide the highest-performance ASIC and ASSP verification platform available today.
About Synplicity
Synplicity®, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNP) is a leading supplier of innovative IC design and verification solutions that serve a wide range of communications, military/aerospace, semiconductor, consumer, computer, and other electronic applications markets. Synplicity’s FPGA implementation tools provide outstanding performance, cost and time-to-market benefits by simplifying, improving and automating logic synthesis, physical synthesis, analysis and debug for programmable logic designs. Synplicity’s ESL synthesis solutions significantly improve productivity for DSP designs realized in ASIC and FPGA devices. The Confirma™ at-speed verification platform, comprising software tools and the HAPS™ family of prototyping systems, enable both comprehensive verification of ASIC, ASSP and SoC designs and software development prior to chip tapeout. Synplicity is the number one supplier of FPGA synthesis tools and its physical synthesis and ASIC verification technologies are the recipients of several prestigious industry awards. The company operates in more than 20 facilities worldwide and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information visit http://www.synplicity.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding the performance, achievements, benefits and market position of the HAPS-51 prototyping boards. In some cases, you will be able to identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “can,” “believes” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including the performance and benefits of Synplicity’s software and systems relative to relevant industry methods, standards, design flaws, design difficulties or other problems with the Confirma platform or HAPS boards, and the growth and changing technical requirements in the FPGA and ASIC markets. For additional information and considerations regarding the risks faced by Synplicity, see its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other periodic reports filed with the SEC from time to time, including its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Although Synplicity believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Synplicity cannot guarantee the future performance or achievements of its products. In addition, neither Synplicity nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of these forward-looking statements. Synplicity disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.
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Synplicity, Certify, and Identify are registered trademarks of Synplicity, Inc. HAPS, High-performance ASIC Prototyping System, and Confirma, are trademarks of Synplicity Inc. All other names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their owners.
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--Rasick Gowda 2007-09-26 02:25:01
ip.access and Orascom aim to improve mobile access for 56 million people
ip.access and Orascom aim to improve mobile access for 56 million people
Femtocells and picocells to be introduced across Europe, Africa, the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East
18 September 2007 – ip.access, a leading developer of femtocells and picocells, has today announced a frame contract with mobile communications company Orascom Telecom to deploy ip.access’ 2G picocell and 3G femtocell technologies into Orascom Telecom’s networks and its sister companies’, which currently reach 56 million subscribers across Italy, Greece, Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq, Bangladesh