austriamicrosystems Supplies AS5243, the Redundant 10-Bit Magnetic Angular Position IC, to MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONICS and Audi R10 for the Le Mans 24 Hours 2008


AS5243 is a system-on-chip combining integrated Hall elements, analog front end and digital signal processing in a single device

Unterpremstaetten, Austria (May 19, 2008) - austriamicrosystems, a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for automotive, communication, industry and medical applications, supplies AS5243, a redundant 10-bit magnetic rotary encoder IC, to MEGA -Line RACING ELECTRONIC GmbH, a
specialist in development of high performance automotive racing applications. The AS5243 is used to measure the absolute position of the barrel shaft in the gearbox to ensure an optimized gear change. AS5243 has been successfully tested in the Audi R10 which is the first diesel powered car winning the Le Mans 24 hours, one of the most ambitious races in the world.

The absolute magnetic shaft encoder developed by MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC is based on austriamicrosystems' AS5243 redundant magnetic angular position sensor device which, due to its contactless measurement method, makes the system highly reliable and resistant to adverse environmental conditions such as dust, moisture, vibration or extended temperature conditions. With this sensor the abrasion over the economic lifetime of the gearbox can be monitored. The high performance 10 bit resolution analog output and the extended temperature range up to 150°C (ambient) ideally meets the demands of many safety critical automotive, industrial and robotics applications.

"Our close collaboration with MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC helps us to be successful with innovative solutions on the market," said Bernhard Czar, Director Marketing Automotive at austriamicrosystems. "austriamicrosystems' wide portfolio of magnetic angular position sensors meet a broad range of customer demands. We look forward to seeing further creative products emerging out of our partnership with MEGA-Line
RACING ELECTRONIC."

"We are excited to be working with austriamicrosystems and their new AS5243 absolute angular position sensor technology," said Erwin Gassner, CEO of MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC. "This magnetic encoder technology enables us to get an absolute feedback about the most important gearbox parameter. The barrel position is used to optimize the whole gear change sequence. This sensor has to be absolutely reliable and using the freely programmable AS5243 we do not even need any calibration procedure in the car.

"The AS5243 is a contactless magnetic angle position sensor for accurate measurement up to 360° and includes two AS5143 devices in a punched stacked lead frame. It is a system-on-chip combining integrated Hall elements,
analog front end and digital signal processing in a single device. The AS5243 provides two separated programmable analog outputs which can be configured in many ways, including user programmable angular range, adjustable output voltage range, voltage or current output, etc.

An internal voltage regulator allows operation of the AS5243 from 3.3V or 5.0V supplies. The AS5243 can detect 1,024 absolute positions over a full turn, 180 and 90 degrees which correspond to a resolution of minimum 0.087 degrees. Additional features include a user programmable zero position and a safety feature that constantly
monitors the presence of the magnet. The AS5243 is available in a 7x7mm QFN32 package.
Product-specific information is available at austriamicrosystems.com/03products/25_rot_enc_automotive_applications.htm

Electronic picture and block diagram are available on request or at
http://austriamicrosystems.com/07presscenter/presscenter_start.htm

About austriamicrosystems
austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, combining more than 25 years of analog design capabilities and system know-how with its own state-of-the-art manufacturing and test facilities. austriamicrosystems leverages its expertise in low power and high accuracy to provide industry-leading
customized and standard analog products. Operating worldwide with more than 1,000 employees, austriamicrosystems focuses on the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces, portable audio and car access in its markets Communications, Industry & Medical and Automotive, complemented by its Full Service
Foundry activities. austriamicrosystems is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS).

About - MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC
MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC is one of the leading suppliers of assisted gear change systems for racing cars. The company is located in Saal, Germany, and is highly reputed for the innovative development, reliable
delivery and excellent performance of their racing electronics. MEGA-Line has customers all over the world in various race categories like endurance, rallye, hill climbing and formula cars.

About Audi Sport:
Audi positions itself as the most sporting automobile manufacturer in the premium segment and has the perfect basis for this: motorsport. A dynamic sporting image, ground breaking technology and emotional design are the primary components for the Audi brand's success. The genes for this originate from 25 years of successfully
operating at the highest level in motorsport. Audi Sport is a part of the Technical Development (TE) of AUDI AG - and for a good reason: Audi is involved in
accelerate development. The Audi R10 TDI acts as rolling test bench that delivers the technicians and engineers in TE valuable know-how for the future generations of TDI engines.

Press Contact
austriamicrosystems AG
Ulrike Anderwald
Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: +43 (0) 3136 500 5856
Fax: +43 (0) 3136 500 5420
press@austriamicrosystems.com
www.austriamicrosystems.com

Technical Contact
austriamicrosystems AG
Andreas Pfingstl
Marketing Manager Automotive
Tel: +43 (0) 3136 500 5516
andreas.pfingstl@austriamicrosystems.com
www.austriamicrosystems.com

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