STMicroelectronics and Freescale Joint-Design Efforts Deliver on Promise of "first silicon"
Companies sample first 90-nm embedded flash microcontrollers to key automotive customers
NUrEMberg, Germany (Embedded World) - Feb. 26, 2008 - Freescale Semiconductor and STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), leading semiconductor suppliers to the automotive industry, have unveiled the first four automotive Power Architecture(TM) microcontroller (MCU) products resulting from the two companies' joint design program, initiated two years ago.
The two companies have achieved first silicon from their respective wafer fabs in Austin, Texas, and Agrate Brianza (Milan), Italy, for four automotive MCUs targeting powertrain, body, instrument cluster and safety/chassis applications. Manufactured on the two companies' aligned 90-nanometer (nm) embedded-flash technology, the four products are the industry's first 90-nm automotive MCUs built on the advanced microcontroller technology. Automotive customer interest is strong, and initial product samples are available to support customer demand in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Japan and the United States.
"From the inception of our joint design program, ST and Freescale have stayed on track with our product development milestones, and with the release of first silicon to select customers, we're proud to report 'promise delivered'," said Marco Maria Monti, vice president and general manager of ST Powertrain & Safety Division. "These four jointly designed automotive MCUs are the first in a product roadmap underway between our allied automotive design teams using the leading microcontroller technology for automotive applications."
"Our common microcontroller architectural platform has enabled Freescale and ST to accelerate the goal of making Power Architecture technology the leading automotive microcontroller core," said Denis Griot, chairman of Freescale EMEA and global automotive marketing. "The system-on-chip platform enables us to quickly develop multiple automotive products incorporating optimized peripheral sets and embedded flash memory, fine-tuned for specific automotive applications. Freescale's and ST's joint design teams are executing flawlessly, and we expect to maintain this rapid cadence of joint product development for years to come."
ST and Freescale are dedicated to extending the aligned product roadmap through ongoing work at joint design centers in Naples, Agrate, Sao Paulo and New Delhi's National Capital Region. Staffed by more than 150 design engineers, these design centers are focused on developing next-generation MCU products optimized for specific automotive market segments.
Lead automotive customers will receive samples of the jointly developed MCU products throughout Q1 2008. The two companies plan to provide general automotive market product information, pricing and availability for the dual-sourced products later this year.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2007, the Company's net revenues were $10 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2007 sales of $5.7 billion (USD). www.freescale.com
STMicroelectronics Media Contacts:
Mariagrazia Prestini
Sr. Director Corporate Communications
(41-22) 929-5924
mariagrazia.prestini@st.com
Michael Markowitz
Director Technical Media Relations
(212) 821-8959
michael.markowitz@st.com
Freescale Media Contacts:
Americas
Dale Weisman
Freescale Semiconductor
(512) 895-2795
dale.weisman@freescale.com
Emilie Harris
Lois Paul & Partners
(512) 638-5321
emilie_harris@lpp.com
Asia Pacific
Gloria Shiu
Freescale Semiconductor
(85-22) 666-8237
gloria.shiu@freescale.com
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Laurent Massicot
Freescale Semiconductor
(33-16) 935-7712
laurent.massicot@freescale.com
India
Sanjeeth Boloor
Freescale Semiconductor
(91-80) 4149-4685
sanjeeth.boloor@freescale.com
Japan
Masako Tanikawa
Freescale Semiconductor
(81-3) 5437-9128
masako.tanikawa@freescale.com
Reader Inquiry Response:
Freescale Semiconductor
P.O. Box 17927
Denver, CO 80217 USA
Carol Brown
STMicroelectronics
US Media Relations
603 465 9213
