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Synopsys DesignWare USB 2.0 and Ethernet IP enables first-pass silicon success for STMicroelectronics

High quality DesignWare IP speeds time-to-market for STM32 Connectivity Line of SoCs

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – October 7, 2009 – Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing, today announced that STMicroelectronics (ST) has achieved first-pass silicon success for its STM32 Connectivity Line of system-on-chips (SoCs) utilising the Synopsys DesignWare(r) USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) and Ethernet digital controllers. ST, a global leader in developing and delivering SoC and semiconductor solutions, evaluated several IP vendors and selected Synopsys DesignWare IP solutions because they are high-quality, include the right feature set, and have been silicon-proven in a wide range of applications. ST also benefitted from having convenient access to a knowledgeable, local technical support team. By using Synopsys DesignWare IP, ST was able to focus their engineering expertise on their product differentiation and meet their time-to-market schedule.

The STM32 Connectivity Line, targeting networked, real-time and audio applications, required a USB 2.0 OTG interface, to allow end products to act as both a USB host and device, and an Ethernet interface that supports the newly released IEEE 1588-2008 Precision Time Protocol. After evaluating several IP providers on features, technical support, scalability and maturity of the IP, ST determined that Synopsys DesignWare IP was the clear leader in all areas. Synopsys delivered USB and Ethernet IP solutions that were highly configurable, enabling ST to easily integrate the cores within weeks. In addition, the DesignWare Ethernet IP was the only IP solution at the time to support the IEEE 1588-2008 specification.

“Synopsys is well trusted in the design community and provided us with high-quality DesignWare USB and Ethernet IP solutions that enabled us to meet our aggressive project schedule and achieve first-pass silicon success,” said Ludovic Ruat, digital IP design manager, Microcontrollers Division, STMicroelectronics. “Our established relationship with Synopsys enables us to have access to a very strong roadmap that we can rely on for future product developments.”

“As a leader in connectivity IP, Synopsys focuses on providing top companies such as ST with high-quality IP solutions that not only include the right features but are also backed by an expert technical support team to help ensure their success,” said John Koeter, vice president of marketing for the Solutions Group at Synopsys. “It is important for Synopsys to provide IP that works right the first time so that our customers can lower risk and deliver innovative products to the market faster.”

About STM32(tm)
The STM32 family of 32-bit Flash microcontrollers is based on the breakthrough ARM Cortex(tm)-M3 processor, which is specifically developed for embedded applications. The STM32 family offers a complete 32-bit product range that combines high-performance, real-time, low-power and low-voltage operation, while maintaining ease of integration. Compatibility of pin assignments, peripherals and software across all STM32 devices is a key technical feature throughout this family of microcontrollers. The STM32 Connectivity Line features USB OTG, CAN2.0B and Ethernet interfaces. With the successful launch of the STM32 Connectivity Line, ST now offers 75 MCUs across all STM32 families, enabling more customers to benefit from the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 processor and complete pin-to-pin and software compatibility.

About DesignWare IP
Synopsys is a leading provider of high-quality, silicon-proven interface and analog IP solutions for system-on-chip designs. Synopsys’ broad IP portfolio delivers complete connectivity IP solutions consisting of controllers, PHY and verification IP for widely used protocols such as USB, PCI Express, DDR, SATA, HDMI and Ethernet. The analog IP family includes Analog-to-Digital Converters, Digital-to-Analog Converters, Audio Codecs, Video Analog Front Ends, Touch Screen Controllers and more. In addition, Synopsys offers SystemC transaction-level models to build virtual platforms for rapid, pre-silicon development of software. With a robust IP development methodology, extensive investment in quality and comprehensive technical support, Synopsys enables designers to accelerate time-to-market and reduce integration risk. For more information on DesignWare IP, visit: http://www.synopsys.com/designware

About Synopsys
Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA), supplying the global electronics market with the software, intellectual property (IP) and services used in semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing. Synopsys’ comprehensive, integrated portfolio of implementation, verification, IP, manufacturing and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) solutions helps address the key challenges designers and manufacturers face today, such as power and yield management, software-to-silicon verification and time-to-results. These technology-leading solutions help give Synopsys customers a competitive edge in bringing the best products to market quickly while reducing costs and schedule risk. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has more than 65 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/.

Synopsys and DesignWare are registered trademarks of Synopsys, Inc. Any other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

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Atmel Introduces Next-generation, Feature-rich Active AM/FM Antenna ICs

Device offers highly integrated features, smaller footprint and higher performance

San Jose, CA, October 7, 2009 – Atmel® Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) today announced the availability of a new active antenna integrated circuit (IC) designed for AM/FM car antenna applications. The new ATR4252 IC provides the industry’s highest integration, automatic gain control, supply voltage regulator with overvoltage protection and an antenna sensor. Designers can now develop smaller, high-performance active antenna solutions for applications located in the mirror, bumper, rear or side windows of a car. In addition, the antenna detection functionality is ideal for modern window or glass antennas. The robust IC also addresses other antenna types including window, pole or shark fin antennas with its small 4 x 5 mm footprint.

The ATR4252 provides excellent performance, especially for noise and linearity behavior–two important features for antenna ICs. The device is equipped with a broad range of useful functions including voltage regulation, which is an important feature when un-stabilized phantom feed is used, and 50 Ohm cable support to allow for use with more cost-effective cables. In addition, the Automatic Gain Control (AGC) avoids problems with large signals, while maintaining a high sensitivity level.
“Active antenna designs using ICs are becoming more popular since they offer many advantages over discrete solutions,” said Carsten Friedrich, Marketing Manager for Car Radio ICs at Atmel Corporation. “With the introduction of Atmel’s new device, designers can now develop different active AM/FM antennas with excellent performance fast and easily.”

Similar to its predecessor ATR4251, the new device enables crystal-clear reception without distortion even under extreme difficult and rapidly fluctuating field strength conditions typically found in moving antenna systems. The board design can be extremely small and the ICs provide a rich set of features, including ESD protection and excellent system performance.

Availability and Pricing
Samples of the car radio antenna IC ATR4252 are now available in small-outline QFN24 packages. Pricing starts at US $0.98 for 100k-piece quantities. To simplify and accelerate product design, a demo board plus an application note are available under NDA.

Footnote
AGC = Automatic Gain Control
AM = Amplitude Modulation
ESD = ElectroStatic Discharge
FM = Frequency Modulation

About Atmel
Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry’s broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.

 

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