Multimedia IC combines power and playback features.
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Press Release Summary:
Housed in 9 x 9 mm package, analog front-end Model AS3517 incorporates 11 voltage converters and regulators, lithium battery charger, and CD quality audio codec. There are 12 programmable amplifiers for headphones, analog line signals and microphones, and real-time clock. Model AS3517 provides all audio and power management functionality required in products such as music-enabled mobile phones, MP3 music players, digital audio and video broadcast receivers, and PDAs.
Original Press Release:
austriamicrosystems Extends the Frontiers of Portable Multimedia Products
Ultra-integrated AS3517 packs power and playback features into 9x9 mm form-factor, reducing external components and slashing BOM costs
Unterpremstaetten, Austria (May 11, 2005) - Leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, austriamicrosystems, has pushed back the frontiers of portable multimedia product design with the launch of an ultra-integrated chip within a chipscale package of just 9x9 mm.
The newest and most powerful member of austriamicrosystems' Portable Audio product family, the analog front-end AS3517 packs power and playback features into a tiny form-factor that not only minimises the need for external components but also slashes bill of material costs.
Leveraging austriamicrosystems' more than 20 years of analog design expertise, the new AS3517 chip incorporates 11 voltage converters and regulators, a Lithium battery charger and a CD quality audio codec. There are 12 programmable amplifiers for headphones, analog line signals and microphones and a realtime clock.
"The AS3517 is the most highly integrated solution available today. It provides all of the audio and power management functionality that is required in products like music-enabled mobile phones, MP3 music players, digital audio and video broadcast receivers, PDAs and other portable music devices while
simultaneously reducing the costs involved in manufacturing," said John Heugle, CEO of austriamicrosystems.
An innovative analog design makes the AS3517 the world's first solution to combine Lithium battery management, hard disk drive power supply and CD quality audio on the same chip, without compromising its excellent performance either in the power management or in the audio subsystem.
A unique layout and proven production technology combine to deliver power management efficiency of over 90% and audio performance in excess of 94dB SNR. AS3517-based demonstration boards that deliver on these performance promises are available now.
"The AS3517 includes advanced functionalities designed to support the legitimate desire of rights holders to protect their intellectual property. We have built-in hardware provisions for music Digital Rights Management, and numerous other functional blocks that can be used to safeguard copyrighted material without compromising the listening experience of the end-user," said Alexander Harrer, Sr. V.P. and
General Manager of the Communications business unit at austriamicrosystems.
A number of large organisations producing well-known MP3 brand names already have product designs based on the AS3517 under way. Production ramp-up is scheduled for summer 2005, and a number of portable music devices with the austriamicrosystems AS3517 chip inside will be in the shops ready for the
Christmas season.
austriamicrosystems as a proven supplier to the mobile communications industry has already delivered over 50 million pieces of combined audio and power management chips over the last three years.
About austriamicrosystems
austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, combining more than 20 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 800 employees, austriamicrosystems focuses on the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces, portable audio and car access through its business units Communications,
Industry & Medical, Automotive and Full Service Foundry. austriamicrosystems is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS). For more information visit
www.austriamicrosystems.com
For More Information Contact
Sonja Pieber-Hascher
Media Relations
austriamicrosystems AG
Tel: +43 (0) 3136 500 5968
Fax: +43 (0) 3136 500 5420
press@austriamicrosystems.com
