◎ 2008/11/06 austriamicrosystems leaps ahead in portable multimedia with new chip solution enabling DVD quality video and high definition audio at industry's lowest power consumption
AS3536 includes unique audio/video processing engines and power management to achieve only 120mW system level battery consumption for DVD resolution movies and sub 15mW for compressed audio Unterpremstaetten, Austria (Nov 6, 2008) – austriamicrosystems (SWX:AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, announces an additional member of its new family of media player ICs with innovative IP aimed at bridging the gap between the audio/video experience of multimedia players and home entertainment devices. austriamicrosystems' AS3536 is an innovative multimedia player system whose core is based on newly developed audio and video engines with post-processors acting as co-processors to an ARM central programmable unit capable of 400 MHz. The IC also includes system level power management, a high quality audio codec and battery charging. The claimed power consumption is at system level that is inclusive of power conversion losses, access to NAND Flash, DRAM memories and audio played to headphones with running application software. A lower cost derivative, AS3535, which is also available, plays audio/video at up to WQVGA resolution with a system power of 60mW, a level that most of today's audio players require for music files only. For portable devices, it is essential to minimize power consumption while in stand-by mode. The fully static design and low leakage technology of AS3536 allow for only 1.4mW preserving context or 4mW while refreshing the display from the on-chip 512Kbytes buffer (with screen backlight off). The audio engine, in a fully hardwired context, executes the decompression and playback of most popular compressed audio formats, like MP3, WMA and AAC, for the least amount of power consumption with 0 (zero) CPU load. The audio post-processor implements an Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter (ASRC) with near transparent quality, a multi-channel mixer with limiting function and 10 band graphics equalizer, and supports 192 KHz sample rates at 24 bits dynamic range for high definition audio processing. Three sets of I2S outputs can independently control stereo speakers, subwoofer and headphone or line outputs and may also be utilized as multi-channel audio outputs. The AS3536 audio subsystem additionally includes a stereo PDM digital microphone input thereby completing all audio requirements for new generation multimedia players. The fully hardware implemented video engine can decompress and play H.264/AVC, MPEG4, H.263, WMV9/VC-1 and Sorenson Spark multi-standard video with resolution in excess of DVD players (D1 video). JPEG pictures are decompressed at 16Mpixels/sec. WMV9 is supported to Main Profile at High Level so that storing DVD movies requires less than 1/6th of their original file sizes at equivalent quality. The video post-processor includes features like up/down video scaling, rotation, cropping, split screens, picture in picture and alpha blending for enhanced GUI effects. The unique capability to play Sorenson Spark video as supported by Adobe Flash allows to play content at very low power from popular Web sites, i.e. YouTube and Google Video.
The AS3536 directly interfaces to the latest generation removable and embedded flash memory types with 4/8/16-bit hardware ECC, such as MLC NAND Flash, iNAND, LBA NAND, moviNAND, oneNAND and removable card formats like SD2.0, MMC+, CE-ATA, MS PRO and CF. The AS3536 is complemented by a comprehensive mature software suite backed by three generations of products delivered in the multimedia player market. The SDK has passed the stringent test criteria of the Certified for Windows Vista program for downloadable content.
Roberto Simmarano, Senior Marketing Director Business Unit Communications at austriamicrosystems, commented, “With austriamicrosystems’ AS3536, portable multimedia players and mobile TV receivers can now reproduce standard definition video content without compromising battery consumption. Listening to music, the prevalent use of portable entertainment devices, the AS3536 offers the same uncompromised experience as with high quality home A/V devices due to its immersive lossless high definition audio capabilities, yet with an exceptional threefold increase in playtime compared to current generation portable multimedia devices.”
The AS3536 is available now in a CTBGA 244 balls package, 10x10mm with 0.5mm ball pitch. The lower cost derivative AS3535 supports video of up to WQVGA resolution and a CPU clock rate of 266MHz. For both devices evaluation boards and reference kits are available. Further product specific information, electronic picture and block diagram are available online at www.austriamicrosystems.com/Mobile-Entertainment-Players/AS3536
◎ 2008/11/05 ELMOS: Declining sales in third quarter 2008 due to car manufacturer crisis
Dortmund: ELMOS Semiconductor AG (FSE: ELG) generated sales of 42.6 million Euro in the third quarter 2008, corresponding with a 6.3% decline from the prior-year quarter (Q3/2007: 45.5 million Euro). Because of the global economic crisis, the volume of orders received sagged considerably by the end of the third quarter.
“The car manufacturers are particularly affected by the weak economy. This affects our customers, the supplier industry, as the first links in the chain. For ELMOS this results in postponed or canceled orders on the part of the suppliers“, says Dr. Anton Mindl, CEO of ELMOS Semiconductor AG. The gross margin came to 44.1% of sales as opposed to 42.7% in the prior-year quarter and 43.3% for the first half-year 2008. Progress made at the new production location Duisburg, leading to a high production output, and the structural changes of the U.S. subsidiaries of ELMOS implemented at the beginning of 2008 contribute to cost relief. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 5.2 million Euro remained at a steady level (Q3/2007: 5.2 million Euro). Expressed in percent of sales, the EBIT margin climbed from 11.5% to 12.1%. Net income for the quarter under report was increased in absolute and relative terms. In absolute figures, it gained slightly to reach 3.4 million Euro, or 7.9% of sales (Q3/2007: 3.3 million Euro or 7.1%).In response to the current weakness of the automotive industry, ELMOS decided at short notice on measures addressing costs and investments. The already started conversion of the manufacture in Dortmund from 6-inch to 8-inch wafers for instance will be slowed down until the market environment is clearly positive again.As has been announced on October 14, 2008, ELMOS anticipates sales for 2008 at the prior-year level. The quality of results is expected to rise over 2007. Market stimulation is not expected for the fourth quarter 2008. A positive free cash flow remains on the agenda. The complete report on the third quarter 2008 is available in German and English at www.elmos.de. On November 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. (CET), ELMOS will hold a conference call (in English) for analysts and investors. The conference call will later be downloadable from the company website.

in million Euro or percent
unless otherwise indicated

Q3/08

Q3/07

Diff.

9M '08

9M '07

Diff.

Sales

42.6

45.5

-6.3%

133.5

130.4

2.3%

Gross profit

18.8

19.4

-3.1%

58.1

54.0

7.7%

Operating income

4.3

5.6

-22.5%

14.1

11.7

20.7%

EBIT

5.2

5.2

-1.0%

14.2

9.5

49.0%

Net income 

3.4

3.3

3.1%

9.7

5.4

82.0%

EPS (Euro)

0.17

0.17

3.1%

0.50

0.28

82.1%
◎ 2008/11/03 AWR and austriamicrosystems Introduce Open Access Based SiGe Process Design Kit for Analog Office® RFIC Design Environment
London, England and Unterpremstaetten, Austria -- November 3, 2008 - AWR and austriamicrosystems AG today introduced an Open Access based process design kit (PDK) for austriamicrosystems S35 0.35-μm silicon germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS process technology that is optimized for circuits operating up to 10 GHz and beyond. The design kit lets users take full advantage of the industry-leading fabrication capabilities of austriamicrosystems together with AWR's Analog Office RFIC design suite. The PDK includes Monte Carlo simulation models and a set of Open Access (www.si2.org) PyCells, developed using Ciranova’s PyCell Studio. Available devices include a wide array of high-speed and high-voltage bipolar transistors, NMOS and PMOS transistors, capacitors, resistors, and spiral inductors along with electrostatic discharge and RF pad structures. The PDK also includes all electromagnetic (EM) stack-up information required to perform EM analysis and parasitic extraction from within the Analog Office design environment using AWR's EM Socket™ interface. “One of our European customers will be using our advanced S35 process together with AWR’s Analog Office software for their latest high frequency designs,” said Hannes Koreimann, Director Marketing Business Unit Full Service Foundry at austriamicrosystems. “This PDK gives our mutual customers the benefit of using austriamicrosystems high performance S35 SiGe BiCMOS process with the innovative software solution from AWR.”
“There have been numerous requests to add austriamicrosystems’ advanced S35 process to our PDK offering,” said Graeme Ritchie, Product Manger - Analog Office at AWR. ”I’m very pleased now to be able to offer this SiGe PDK to AWR’s Analog Office users and to leverage its cross tool accessibility via its Open Access roots.
◎ 2008/10/31 austriamicrosystems' new AS1324 DC-DC buck converter supplies 600mA for low output voltages
Unterpremstaetten, Austria (October 31, 2008) – austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, introduces AS1324, a step down regulator optimized for low output voltages in battery powered applications.
The AS1324 delivers up to 600mA from an input voltage range of 2.7 to 5.5V which makes the device ideal for single Li-Ion cell or triple AA cell applications. The 100% duty cycle capability for low dropout allows maximum energy to be extracted from the battery. The fixed output voltage versions 1.2V, 1.5V and 1.8V of AS1324 require no external voltage dividers reducing board space requirements. The adjustable variant allows an externally set output voltage in the range of 0.6V to VIN. austriamicrosystems' AS1324 is designed to save space and increase efficiency in battery powered applications. The 1.5MHz fixed switching frequency minimizes PCB footprint by allowing the use of tiny, low profile inductors and capacitors. This constant frequency switching results in low, predictable output noise that can be easily filtered. Furthermore the AS1324 offers high output voltage accuracy as well as a low output voltage ripple.
Additionally the integrated automatic power save mode increases efficiency in light load conditions, consuming only 30µA of quiescent current. The reduced power consumption substantially increases battery life in many applications. Moreover, the AS1324 offers a 100nA typical shutdown mode combined with an output disconnect feature. “Many portable applications powered by a single lithium-ion battery cell need low voltages far below the battery supply range to power modern microprocessors and other low power ICs,” said Walter Moshammer, Marketing Director Standard Linear at austriamicrosystems. ” The AS1324 provides the low voltage required and additionally offers high efficiency to support low power designs.”
◎ 2008/10/27austriamicrosystems reports 6% revenue and 10% earnings growth in the third quarter, weakened demand environment expected for remainder of 2008 due to economic headwinds
Unterpremstaetten, Austria (October 27, 2008) — austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, showed 6% revenue growth in the third quarter 2008 compared to the previous year, given solid demand for its analog semiconductor solutions. Group revenues reached EUR 54.0 million compared to EUR 51.1 million in the third quarter last year. On a constant currency basis, current revenues grew by 9% compared to the same quarter 2007. Gross margin was strong at 51%, up from 50% in the same period 2007. Despite an impact from the unfavorable EUR/USD exchange rate throughout most of the quarter, the result from operations (EBIT) for the third quarter was up 10% at EUR 10.0 million compared to EUR 9.1 million in the third quarter 2007. The third quarter net result grew by 8% to EUR 9.4 million from EUR 8.7 million in the same period 2007. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter were CHF 1.38 / EUR 0.86 (CHF 1.31 / EUR 0.79 in the same period 2007). Backlog which does not reflect high volume consignment stock agreements stood at EUR 45.0 million on September 30, 2008 (EUR 55.0 million on September 30, 2007). Operating cash flow in the third quarter reached EUR 17.9 million, strongly up from EUR 3.7 million in third quarter 2007.
austriamicrosystems´ third quarter results reflect the strategic focus on the company´s target markets which offer multiple opportunities to increase austriamicrosystems´ market position in the future. Delivering high performance analog ICs to a global high quality customer base, austriamicrosystems showed a solid performance in the third quarter despite the negative developments in the macroeconomic and capital markets environment towards the end of the quarter. In the industrial market, austriamicrosystems recorded good volumes, particularly in industrial sensors, rotary encoders and sensor interfaces for medical applications, from a broad range of customers. The industrial market continued to be a strong contributor to austriamicrosystems´ overall business. In communications, austriamicrosystems again saw attractive volumes and significant run rates for lighting and power management products at top tier handset manufacturers as well as for MEMS microphone ICs. Despite negative news flow from the automotive end market, austriamicrosystems´ automotive business showed another solid performance in the third quarter, mainly driven by sensor interfaces for critical systems. austriamicrosystems expects the recent deterioration of the macroeconomic outlook for important markets to impact its business going forward due to customers showing increased cautiousness, delayed order patterns and shortened order cycles. austriamicrosystems therefore foresees its business to show a more flattish sequential revenue development in the fourth quarter. As a result, austriamicrosystems anticipates full year 2008 revenues at around last year´s levels and full year 2008 operating result to be approx. 10% below full year 2007, based on current information. Looking out into 2009, austriamicrosystems is not yet able to assess how the macroeconomic outlook and the uncertainties in its target markets will affect its business in the coming year. austriamicrosystems is, however, taking necessary steps including cost reductions to reflect a demanding environment.
The complete third quarter report 2008 including detailed financial information is available on the austriamicrosystems website.
◎ 2008/10/20 Austriamicrosystems and BeeDar Technology present the BDUR-002 RFID reader, BeeDar’s newest mid range UHF RFID Gen 2 device
The “SimplyGen2” AS3990 and AS3991 are innovative UHF RFID reader ICs that have been enabling customers worldwide through a faster time to market, low complexity, high level of integration, and outstanding application support.
Unterpremstaetten, Austria (October 20, 2008) - austriamicrosystems (SWX:AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high-performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical, and automotive applications, in partnership with BeeDar Technology, is pleased to announce the release of the latest BDUR-002 mid-range UHF RFID reader. This is the first in a range of EPC Class 1 UHF Gen 2 readers by BeeDar, all of which will incorporate the low power, low cost AS3990 UHF RFID “Simply Gen2” reader IC. austriamicrosystems’ AS3990 and AS3991 UHF RFID Gen 2 reader ICs, co-developed with IDS, are the first in a line of a low power, low cost integrated reader solutions, positioned to make their customers’ lives easier through the integration of key elements whilst retaining flexibility.
The AS3990/91 “SimplyGen2” is a single chip, EPC Class 1 Gen 2 UHF reader IC. Ideally targeted for power -and cost-sensitive applications, the AS3990 sports the industry’s lowest power consumption and lowest cost BOM. It includes an EPC Class 1 Gen 2 protocol engine for fast time to market, and is available with an integrated power amplifier to further reduce the BOM (bill of material). Its unique programmable features enable a single product device that is world-wide shippable. Its simplicity is emphasized with only 32 registers to enable full RF, filtering, and protocol control, while maintaining simplicity in implementation. “BeeDar’s development of UHF Gen 2 readers for the complete spectrum of applications aligns with the ability of the AS3990/91 to meet all requirements from short to long range reader solutions” says Kambiz Hayat-Dawoodi Business Manager Wireless at austriamicrosystems.
"Our alliance with austriamicrosystems strengthens our commitment to a low power and low cost RFID reader market that fulfils the current demand of the RFID industry,” added Tony Saye, President and CEO of BeeDar Technology. “Complementing austriamicrosystems’ AS3990 reader chip, our new BDUR-002 reader is the second in a series of forthcoming readers with a variety of interfaces including USB, TCP/IP, Weigand, I2C, UART, and RS232C, which provide easy integration with host systems.”
◎2008/10/16 ELMOS introduces automotive IC and sensor innovations in Detroit
Convergence 2008 activity highlights gesture command, sun angle detection technology
Dortmund/Detroit: ELMOS Semiconductor AG will introduce recent IC and sensor innovations during Convergence 2008. A presentation will highlight non-mechanical switches based on ELMOS’ patented HALIOS® optical technology, a miniature, light-independent system for 3-D movement recognition and gesture-based commands. The presentation will also focus on the first automotive planar sun angle sensor, enabling high-performance vehicle climate control. Additionally, ELMOS will introduce a sensorless EC motor drive (VirtuHall®), as well as the new application-ready PSS 1 integrated pressure sensor system.As part of ELMOS’ Convergence events, Dr. Patrick Popp, General Motors’ Director of Global Electronics, Controls and Software Product Development Asia/Pacific, will deliver remarks on “EE Vehicle System Trends” on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 starting at 7 p.m. at an industry dinner. The remarks will be followed by a discussion and one-on-one conversations.Movement and gesture recognition products – HALIOS® ELMOS ASSP components E909.01 and E909.05, based on the HALIOS® technology, are special readout ICs behind infra-red (IR)-transparent surfaces that enable measurement of proximity and contact of fingers, hands or objects. One, two and three-dimensional movements can be detected. Typical applications include gesture-controlled actuators such as lamps that can be turned on and off or dimmed by a wave of the hand, and switches behind glass (for explosion protection) suitable for sterile or harsh environments. IR-based detection is independent of any ambient light impact and works equally well under extreme or changing light conditions.Sun angle sensor for high-performance climate control The E910.86 sun angle sensor, with a planar set-up for precise determination of the angle of light occurrence, requires no optics and is integrated into a package of only 4 by 4 square millimeters. When the sensor is placed close to the surface of the dashboard, it enables a planar transition between sensor and environment, making possible for the first time a highly adaptive vehicle climate control.Sensorless EC motor control – VirtuHall®The VirtuHall® motor drive concept enables sensorless detection of the rotor position of brushless EC motors. The application uses the same concept to detect rotors all the way from standstill to high motor rotation speed, eliminating transitional disturbances. The concept is ideally suited to all kinds of EC motor drive systems and underlines the advantages of this particularly robust and simply constructed motor drive.Application-ready integrated pressure sensor system – PSS 1 ELMOS’ new PSS 1 pressure sensor system provides a highly universal and cost-effective solution for a great number of automotive pressure applications. The system consists of a MEMS sensor cell and a signal processor integrated into a special SOIC-20 package. The component comes fully calibrated, which makes it a “ready-to-use” product.
◎2008/09/11 austriamicrosystems releases newest version of its best in class process design kit
New HIT-Kit v4.0 combines new process add-ons with the support of the latest Cadence Virtuoso custom design platform IC 6.1
Unterpremstaetten, Austria (September 11, 2008) –austriamicrosystems’ business unit Full Service Foundry today announced the availability of its new analog/mixed signal high performance process design kit ("HIT-Kit") for its 0.35µm CMOS, High-Voltage CMOS and SiGe-BiCMOS specialty technologies. Based on the latest version of Cadence® Virtuoso® custom design platform (IC 6.1 release), the new HIT-Kit significantly improves the time-to-market for highly competitive products in the analog intensive mixed signal arena. Supporting designers in creating their first-time-right mixed signal designs even for complex systems, this comprehensive design kit with its highly accurate simulation models and flexible pcells provides a proven route to silicon. The new HIT-Kit v4.0 is available for Cadence Design Systems' latest version of Virtuoso® custom design platform IC 6.1 and supports the high performance 0.35µm process technologies C35 (CMOS), S35 (SiGe BiCMOS) and H35 (High-Voltage CMOS). This new version includes silicon-qualified digital, analog and RF library elements as well as fully characterized simulation models for a large set of simulators, extraction and verification run sets and automatic layout device generators. Hence product developers are enabled with a plug-and-play tool set which facilitates "first time right" designs. "This new HIT-Kit 4.0 is a result of austriamicrosystems continuous efforts to deliver the best in class design environment to our customers," states Thomas Riener, General Manager Full Service Foundry at austriamicrosystems. "The usage of the new HIT-Kit enables our customers to access the latest features of our high performance analog process technologies, such as the 120V option of our advanced H35 technology." All I/O structures within the design kit are silicon-validated and meet the military ESD and JEDEC latch-up standards with I/O pads designed to surpass 2kV (H35 I/O pad cells only) HBM and 250mA latch-up immunity. In C35 technology the total I/O libraries consist of more than 1800 cells supporting 3.3V and 3.3V/5V designs. The specialty High Voltage CMOS process H35 with its isolated libraries offers even more than 2400 core and periphery cells. To meet our customers` demands also in terms of flexibility, the HIT-Kit supports RedHat EL 3.0, EL 4.0 and Sun Solaris 8, 9 and10 operating systems. Read more details about this new HIT-Kit version on our Foundry Support Server at http://asic.austriamicrosystems.com/hitkit400 .
◎2008/07/28 austriamicrosystems reports 5% revenue and 26% EBIT growth in first half despite adverse exchange rate environment, expectations for full year growth confirmed
Key financial data for the second quarter and first half of 2008
austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, showed revenue and EBIT growth in the first half and second quarter of 2008 compared to the previous year despite an adverse exchange rate environment, given broad-based demand for its analog IC solutions. Consolidated second quarter group revenues reached EUR 46.3 million, up 6% from EUR 43.9 million in the same quarter 2007. Group revenues for the first six months of 2008 rose 5% to EUR 87.5 million, compared to EUR 83.3 million recorded in the first half of 2007. This positive revenue development was achieved despite a significant deterioration in the USD against the EUR compared to last year. On a constant currency basis, second quarter revenues grew by 12% compared to the second quarter last year while first half revenues grew by 11% compared to the first half 2007 which underscores the positive development of austriamicrosystems’ business in the second quarter and first half of 2008. In the second quarter, gross margin increased to 51% from 50% in the same quarter last year, driven by positive product mix effects and manufacturing cost improvements. For the first half of 2008, gross mar­gin reached 51%, up two percentage points from 49% in the first six months 2007. The result from opera­tions (EBIT) for the second quarter increased by 49% to EUR 6.4 million, from EUR 4.3 million in the same quarter 2007, with continued high R&D investments of 23% of the quarter’s revenues and despite a negative impact from exchange rate movements. For the first half-year 2008, the result from operations (EBIT) was up 26% at EUR 10.1 million, compared to EUR 8.0 million in the same period 2007.
Net income for the second quarter 2008 rose by 44% to EUR 5.9 million, from EUR 4.1 million in the same period last year. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the second quarter were CHF 0.87 or EUR 0.54. Net income for the first half of 2008 was up 20% at EUR 9.1 million, equivalent to CHF 1.34 or EUR 0.84 per share (basic and diluted), compared to EUR 7.6 million for the same period last year. Total backlog which does not reflect high volume consignment stock agreements with key customers and is therefore not fully comparable to the previous year stood at EUR 54.5 million on June 30, 2008 compared to EUR 48.2 million at the end of the first quarter and EUR 54.5 million on June 30, 2007. austriamicrosystems’ business performed well in the second quarter and first half year 2008 which underscores the attractiveness of the company’s product portfolio and its solid market position. In communications,austriamicrosystems strengthened its position in advanced power management products for mobile devices such as handsets, personal navigation and other communications devices. Two Top 5 handset vendors, Nokia and SonyEricsson, are using its flash LED driver ICs, lighting management solutions and power management ICs in increasing volumes for production, newly released and upcoming models. austriamicrosystems added another, Asia-based Top 5 handset manufacturer to its customer base in the second quarter which has designed an austriamicrosystems lighting manage­ment solution into several upcoming models. austriamicrosystems’ MEMS microphone business returned to growth in the first half of the current year driven by the increasing penetration of this technology at top tier handset vendors. With existing and new solutions, austriamicrosystems holds a leading position in this competitive market and expects its MEMS microphone business to develop positively going forward. In mobile entertainment, austriamicrosystems continues to be successful in high quality personal media players, information and entertainment devices with its market-proven audio ICs with advanced power management and high performance system solutions. Its latest product generation features significantly reduced power consumption while offering even higher audio quality and high-quality video capabilities. In the second quarter, a global consumer electronics OEM decided to develop an upcoming generation of audio/video mobile entertainment devices around products from this new family. The company’s industrial and medical business again delivered strong results given attractive demand for austriamicrosystems’ industrial automation, sensor interface, encoder and healthcare IC solutions. Automation, metering and seismic sensors continued to be important sub-segments of the industrial business in the first half of 2008. In consumer healthcare, a leading global sportswear brand successfully introduced an innovative wearable electronic training assistance device including an austriamicrosystems sensor interface product. austriamicrosystems’ magnetic encoder business continues to grow at a very attractive pace, driven by the industry’s broadest portfolio of integrated magnetic encoder solutions. This product range was expanded with new high resolution products to address even more applications across a multitude of markets. austriamicrosystems’ new offering of RFID reader ICs has seen outstanding market acceptance and first design-ins.
In the automotive market, austriamicrosystems saw ongoing good demand in the areas of sensor inter­faces, related systems, car access and position measurement. Leading global automotive suppliers rely on complex automotive sensor interfaces for applications such as ESP where penetration across car classes and regions continues to increase. In the second quarter, austriamicrosystems was able to pene­trate another European-based Tier 1 automotive systems supplier underscoring its system and design expertise in the competitive automotive semiconductor market and its positive long term outlook for this business. The foundry business again provided an attractive contribution in the second quarter and first half based on high quality customers focused on specialty process technologies such as High Voltage and Silicon Germanium. In operations, austriamicrosystems’ state-of-the-art 200 mm wafer fab and in-house test centers continued their excellent performance. The company benefits from a high level natural hedge in its production costs which was actively set up over the last years as part of austriamicrosystems’ global manufacturing concept. Looking forward, austriamicrosystems continues to expect its business to show growth in revenues, gross margins and earnings on a USD and EUR basis in 2008, based on currently available information. austriamicrosystems believes its business to be well positioned with a strong line-up of successful and upcoming products and a growing list of high quality customers. However, the company recognizes that the uncertain future development of the EUR/USD exchange rate and potential macroeconomic induced end market volatility are risk factors influencing its revenue and earnings development for the full year of 2008.
◎2008/08/13 ELMOS with solid performance in 2nd quarter 2008
Sales up 7% – Further margin improvement
Dortmund: ELMOS Semiconductor AG (FSE: ELG) increased sales and improved its earnings in the second quarter 2008. Sales grew by 6.8% to 46.6 million Euro (Q2/2007: 43.7 million Euro). The semiconductor segment contributed to this growth with an increase of 8.4%. The gross profit climbed by 12.2% to 20.4 million Euro (Q2/2007: 18.2 million Euro), corresponding with a gross margin of 43.8%. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) gained 28.0% to reach 4.9 million Euro (Q2/2007: 3.8 million Euro). The net income rose to 3.6 million Euro in the quarter under report (Q2/2007: 2.1 million Euro).“ELMOS showed a solid performance in the second quarter and consequently in the first half-year 2008. We were successful with respect to sales and earnings. However, we direct close attention to the economic slowdown and the situation of the automotive industry in particular,” says Dr. Anton Mindl, CEO of ELMOS Semiconductor AG. For 2008 ELMOS anticipates an increase in sales of 7% to 9% and an EBIT margin between 12% and 14%. Against the backdrop of the current economic situation especially in the automotive sector and the weakness of the U.S. dollar, we confirm this forecast at the lower end of the target corridor. A positive free cash flow is expected. For the half-year, sales amounted to 90.8 million Euro (HY1/2007: 84.9 million Euro), the EBIT came to 9.0 million Euro (HY1/2007: 4.3 million Euro), and the net income was 6.4 million Euro (HY1/2007: 2.1 million Euro). The complete half-year report is available in German and English at www.elmos.de. On August 13, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. (CEST), ELMOS will conduct a phone conference (in English) for analysts and investors. The phone conference will later be downloadable from the company website.
Overview of financial figures Q2/08 and HY1/08 according to IFRS:
in million Euro or
percent, unless
otherwise indicated		 Q2/08 Q2/07 Diff. HY1/08 HY1/07 Diff.

Sales

46.6

43.7

6.8%

90.8

84.9

7.0%

Gross profit

20.4

18.2

12.2%

39.3

34.6

13.8%

Operating income

5.7

4.6

23.2%

9.8

6.1

60.1%

EBIT

4.9

3.8

28.0%

9.0

4.3

109.5%

Net income

3.6

2.1

72.0%

6.4

2.1

204.0%

EPS (Euro)

0.19

0.11

72.5%

0.33

0.11

204.8%
◎7/29/2008 Long-term customer relationship with the Swedish automotive supplier
Dortmund: ELMOS Semiconductor AG has delivered 100 million semiconductors to its Swedish customer Autoliv. The customer specific chips are integrated in airbags and other safety applications. ELMOS works together successfully with Autoliv for roughly 14 years and delivers the specialist for automotive safety systems worldwide.“We esteem the long-term trust of Autoliv. The quality requirements are extremely especially high in particular for safety systems. ELMOS fulfils these levels with its zero-defect-strategy and thereby contributesto the success of Autoliv” says Dr. Anton Mindl, CEO of ELMOS Semiconductor AG.“Autoliv focuses on highest quality in all product areas. With ELMOS we have found a reliable partner for highly-integrated circuits. ELMOS distinguishes itself by its high quality awareness”, stated Peter Kellerhals, Purchase Director of Autoliv Electronics.The safety systems are used in various models of European, American and Asian automotive manufacturers.Autoliv is a worldwide leader in automotive safety applications. The company is a pioneer in both seatbelts and airbags, and has the widest worldwide product offering for automotive safety. The company with its headquarters in Sweden has all together 80 facilities and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. The products are tested 21 crash test tracks in 13 countries. Autoliv has roughly 42,000 employees und achieved sales of roughly 6.8 billion US-Dollar in 2007.ELMOS is a leading developer and producer of customer-specific system solutions for many years in the automotive sector. Based on the modular high-voltage CMOS technology, a great amount of analog mixed-signal circuitry elements such as voltage regulators, analog/digital converters, power-drives and NVM storage offer a huge range of integration possibilities for customers' ideas.
◎07/28/2008 austriamicrosystems reports 5% revenue and 26% EBIT growth in first half despite adverse exchange rate environment, expectations for full year growth confirmed
Key financial data for the second quarter and first half of 2008
austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, showed revenue and EBIT growth in the first half and second quarter of 2008 compared to the previous year despite an adverse exchange rate environment, given broad-based demand for its analog IC solutions.Consolidated second quarter group revenues reached EUR 46.3 million, up 6% from EUR 43.9 million in the same quarter 2007. Group revenues for the first six months of 2008 rose 5% to EUR 87.5 million, compared to EUR 83.3 million recorded in the first half of 2007. This positive revenue development was achieved despite a significant deterioration in the USD against the EUR compared to last year. On a constant currency basis, second quarter revenues grew by 12% compared to the second quarter last year while first half revenues grew by 11% compared to the first half 2007 which underscores the positive development of austriamicrosystems’ business in the second quarter and first half of 2008.In the second quarter, gross margin increased to 51% from 50% in the same quarter last year, driven by positive product mix effects and manufacturing cost improvements. For the first half of 2008, gross mar­gin reached 51%, up two percentage points from 49% in the first six months 2007. The result from opera­tions (EBIT) for the second quarter increased by 49% to EUR 6.4 million, from EUR 4.3 million in the same quarter 2007, with continued high R&D investments of 23% of the quarter’s revenues and despite a negative impact from exchange rate movements. For the first half-year 2008, the result from operations (EBIT) was up 26% at EUR 10.1 million, compared to EUR 8.0 million in the same period 2007.Net income for the second quarter 2008 rose by 44% to EUR 5.9 million, from EUR 4.1 million in the same period last year. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the second quarter were CHF 0.87 or EUR 0.54. Net income for the first half of 2008 was up 20% at EUR 9.1 million, equivalent to CHF 1.34 or EUR 0.84 per share (basic and diluted), compared to EUR 7.6 million for the same period last year. Total backlog which does not reflect high volume consignment stock agreements with key customers and is therefore not fully comparable to the previous year stood at EUR 54.5 million on June 30, 2008 compared to EUR 48.2 million at the end of the first quarter and EUR 54.5 million on June 30, 2007. austriamicrosystems’ business performed well in the second quarter and first half year 2008 which underscores the attractiveness of the company’s product portfolio and its solid market position. In communications, austriamicrosystems strengthened its position in advanced power management products for mobile devices such as handsets, personal navigation and other communications devices. Two Top 5 handset vendors, Nokia and SonyEricsson, are using its flash LED driver ICs, lighting management solutions and power management ICs in increasing volumes for production, newly released and upcoming models. austriamicrosystems added another, Asia-based Top 5 handset manufacturer to its customer base in the second quarter which has designed an austriamicrosystems lighting manage­ment solution into several upcoming models.austriamicrosystems’ MEMS microphone business returned to growth in the first half of the current year driven by the increasing penetration of this technology at top tier handset vendors. With existing and new solutions, austriamicrosystems holds a leading position in this competitive market and expects its MEMS microphone business to develop positively going forward. In mobile entertainment, austriamicrosystems continues to be successful in high quality personal media players, information and entertainment devices with its market-proven audio ICs with advanced power management and high performance system solutions. Its latest product generation features significantly reduced power consumption while offering even higher audio quality and high-quality video capabilities. In the second quarter, a global consumer electronics OEM decided to develop an upcoming generation of audio/video mobile entertainment devices around products from this new family.The company’s industrial and medical business again delivered strong results given attractive demand for austriamicrosystems’ industrial automation, sensor interface, encoder and healthcare IC solutions. Automation, metering and seismic sensors continued to be important sub-segments of the industrial business in the first half of 2008. In consumer healthcare, a leading global sportswear brand successfully introduced an innovative wearable electronic training assistance device including an austriamicrosystems sensor interface product. austriamicrosystems’ magnetic encoder business continues to grow at a very attractive pace, driven by the industry’s broadest portfolio of integrated magnetic encoder solutions. This product range was expanded with new high resolution products to address even more applications across a multitude of markets. austriamicrosystems’ new offering of RFID reader ICs has seen outstanding market acceptance and first design-ins.In the automotive market, austriamicrosystems saw ongoing good demand in the areas of sensor inter­faces, related systems, car access and position measurement. Leading global automotive suppliers rely on complex automotive sensor interfaces for applications such as ESP where penetration across car classes and regions continues to increase. In the second quarter, austriamicrosystems was able to pene­trate another European-based Tier 1 automotive systems supplier underscoring its system and design expertise in the competitive automotive semiconductor market and its positive long term outlook for this business.The foundry business again provided an attractive contribution in the second quarter and first half based on high quality customers focused on specialty process technologies such as High Voltage and Silicon Germanium. In operations, austriamicrosystems’ state-of-the-art 200 mm wafer fab and in-house test centers continued their excellent performance. The company benefits from a high level natural hedge in its production costs which was actively set up over the last years as part of austriamicrosystems’ global manufacturing concept.Looking forward, austriamicrosystems continues to expect its business to show growth in revenues, gross margins and earnings on a USD and EUR basis in 2008, based on currently available information. austriamicrosystems believes its business to be well positioned with a strong line-up of successful and upcoming products and a growing list of high quality customers. However, the company recognizes that the uncertain future development of the EUR/USD exchange rate and potential macroeconomic induced end market volatility are risk factors influencing its revenue and earnings development for the full year of 2008.
◎07/08/2008 austriamicrosystems introduces 1A ultra-low-dropout regulator
Operating at lowest dropout voltages, the AS1364 offers excellent 10µVRMS low noise performance.
austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, today expanded its low dropout regulator (LDO) portfolio with the AS1364, capable of delivering up to 1A while operating at lowest dropout voltages. The AS1364 operates from a 2 to 5.5V supply, making it ideal for dual or triple standard-cell and single Li-Ion battery powered applications. Offering lowest dropout voltage of 140mV @ 1A with an extremely low quiescent current of only 35µA during operation and stunning 10nA during shutdown, battery life time is maximized when using AS1364."There is a growing demand of applications requiring high currents and the need of a LDO smoothed voltage." said Walter Moshammer, Marketing Director Standard Linear at austriamicrosystems. “At currents rated around 1A, the dropout voltage is the most important factor for lifetime and efficiency of the system. austriamicrosystems’ AS1364 fulfils these needs completely..”The AS1364 is available as adjustable version or with pre-programmed output voltages in the range between 1.2 to 5.0V with an output voltage accuracy of excellent 0.75%. While the adjustable version allows highest flexibility in design and does not require a bypass capacitance, the pre-programmed versions offer improved noise performance through a bypass pin. The noise is therefore improved from good 50µVrms of the adjustable version to excellent 10µVrms of the pre-programmed versions. Additionally, the AS1364 offers a power-ok output that signals when the output voltage drops out of regulation by 6% typically.A digital enable pin allows system-level dynamic power management. Furthermore, the AS1364 offers over-temperature and over-current protection. The AS1364 is available in a thermally enhanced TDFN 3x3mm 8-pin package suitable for operating environments ranging from -40 to +85°C.
◎07/02/2008 Trainees successfully complete their apprenticeship
Applications for 2009 can be handed in Dortmund: Ten trainees of ELMOS Semiconductor AG have successfully completed their apprenticeship in the summer of 2008, with five thereof as a micro technologist. Micro technologists are specially trained for the work in the semiconductor production. In the 36 months long apprenticeship they learn the technical processes in theory and practical terms, which are needed to produce a semiconductor chip.“We are promoting our young employees systematically. Especially with the training as micro technologists we gain qualified staff for our production. They are able to achieve technological advancements combined”, says Dr. Anton Mindl, CEO of ELMOS Semiconductor AG. “But also the other trainees have become specialists within their area of work.”From now on applications for the start of the apprenticeship in 2009 can be handed in. ELMOS offers e.g. apprenticeships for the following training courses: industrial clerks, management assistant in informatics, office communication assistant, micro technologist and physics laboratory assistant.
◎06/30/2008 austriamicrosystems’ global sales network adds New Scale Technologies’ SQUIGGLE® motors and motion systems to its product lineup
New Scale significantly expands its sales reach through austriamicrosystems’ global sales network
Victor, NY and Unterpremstaetten, Austria (June 30, 2008) – New Scale Technologies, Inc., a provider of innovative miniature motion systems, has named its strategic partner austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS) as a global, non-exclusive agent for its patented SQUIGGLE® motors, micro motion systems and other products. The agreement significantly expands New Scale’s global sales reach while enabling analog chip specialist austriamicrosystems to introduce additional innovative products to its customers. New Scale develops and manufactures miniature motion systems including the piezoelectric SQUIGGLE motor, the world’s smallest linear motor. austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industry, medical and automotive applications and has a global sales network of approximately 100 direct sales engineers and field application engineers (FAEs), spread across Asia, Europe, the USA and South Africa.New Scale and austriamicrosystems formed a partnership early in 2008 to create tiny closed-loop motion systems integrating SQUIGGLE motors with single-chip motor controllers and position sensor ASICs.“We are impressed with the technical competence of the austriamicrosystems sales and FAE teams, and their ability to understand their customers’ needs and offer innovative solutions,” said Dan Viggiano III, vice president and general manager of OEM products at New Scale. “We are thrilled to have this highly qualified sales network introducing New Scale products to design engineers around the world.”“New Scale’s extremely small motion systems allow design engineers to add motion-based features where they could not be incorporated before, due to size and power constraints,” commented Carlo Rebughini, senior vice president of sales at austriamicrosystems. “Users of our high-performance analog ICs have a keen interest in expanding their products’ current capabilities and introducing innovative new products through the use of SQUIGGLE motors and micro motion systems.”
About New Scale Technologies
New Scale Technologies (www.newscaletech.com) creates disruptively small motion systems based on our patented piezoelectric SQUIGGLE® motor, the world’s smallest linear motor. This ultrasonic motor is more compact, precise, robust, power-efficient and cost-effective than other micro motors. Complete motion systems incorporate supporting electronics (ASICs) developed in partnership with austriamicrosystems. Our micro motors and micro-actuator modules enable design engineers to create smaller products including mobile phone cameras, electronic locks and intelligent fasteners, nano-scale fluid control including lab-on-a-chip systems, medical devices including miniature drug pumps and endoscopes, optics and imaging systems, automotive modules, lasers, aerospace and defense systems, cryogenic and MRI-compatible instruments, and consumer electronics including micro fuel cells.
◎06/20/2008 LIN system basis chip fulfills high OEM requirements
Chip E910.48 reduces systems costs – ESD performance >12kV
Dortmund: With its E910.48, ELMOS presents a LIN transceiver with an integrated voltage regulator. The chip, equipped with a LIN 2.0 compatible transceiver, also provides a watchdog with adjustable triggering time. The E910.48 fulfills the high requirements commonly agreed by the German OEMs and is available as a volume product. A confirmation of the release can be requested from the OEMs.The integrated voltage regulator supplies the application with a load current of up to 100mA. The output voltage can be selected to be 5V or 3.3V. By using an optional series resistor, the power dissipation in the IC can be reduced to enable the maximum load current over the entire temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. At low supply voltages an internal bypass transistor keeps the drop-out voltage low. If needed, higher currents can be realized by means of an external transistor. The voltage regulator allows stable operation with a bypass capacitor as low as 100nF and therefore reduces the costs for external components.The watchdog and the reset generation are configurable in various ways. Common values can be defined without external components, thereby minimizing system costs. Other settings can be realized via cost-effective resistor circuits. A battery voltage monitoring routine generates a “reset warning” signal below typ. 7V. This enables reaction before shutdown, e.g. to save important data.There are three ways to activate the voltage regulator: 1. exceeding a power-on threshold after the battery supply had been low, 2. a remote wake-up frame on the bus, 3. a local digital signal wake-up on the enable pin.Slope detection and debounce reliably avoid cyclic wake-up in case of different kinds of undefined bus potentials. A falling edge at the enable input forces the IC into sleep mode and deactivates the voltage regulator. Strong emphasis has been laid on EMC and ESD measures to fulfill the high automotive requirements. As a result, a system level ESD stability of more than 12kV (according to IEC61000-4-2) has been achieved.The IC offers all necessary functions for operation in a microcontroller circuit, not only in automotive networks but in industrial applications as well. The high grade of noise immunity allows the use anywhere in a vehicle.
The most important features are:
LIN 2.0 compatible
Wakeup via bus based on slope detection and debounce
Very low standby current (typ. <20μA)
Two selectable output voltages: 5V or 3.3V ±2.0%
Stable voltage regulator with bypass capacitance down to 100nF
Output current up to 100mA
Selectable watchdog windows: fixed: 35ms or 75ms; variable: 3ms to 50ms
Reset pulse durations (10ms, 65ms) and programmable threshold levels
Output slew rate control to reduce EMI
ESD protection on BUS pin >12kV according to IEC-61000-4-2
Operating voltage range (VS) 4V to 40V
Bus voltage -24V to +40V
Over temperature protection
Output current limitation at bus and voltage regulator
SO16 package, QFN 5x5 coming soon
◎06/18/2008 austriamicrosystems builds profound system know-how on FlexRay™ - the next generation automotive networking system
The Virtual Vehicle’s TEODACS research project provides expertise for the deployment and validation of FlexRay™ based distributed systems austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for automotive, communication, industry and medical applications, is a driving force in the TEODACS (Test, Evaluation and Optimization of Dependable Automotive Communication Systems) research project which is being launched by The Virtual Vehicle, a group of industry partners and research facilities in Graz / Austria. The project brings together AVL List GmbH, CISC Semiconductor Design + Consulting GmbH, Infineon Technologies AG, University of Applied Sciences FH Joanneum and the Institute for Technical Informatics (ITI) at the Graz University of Technology in a partnership aimed at building expertise for the deployment and validation of FlexRay™ based automotive networking systems.FlexRay™ becomes an emerging technology for in-vehicle networks to support the requirements of the next generation vehicles. Safety, infotainment, reliability and dependability, cost and weight reduction together with CO2 prevention for vehicles are key drivers for new automotive local area networks. FlexRay™ is developed to cope with these demands, but as it is a young technology with little field affirmation, a comprehensive level of system investigation is needed.austriamicrosystems is a leading provider of FlexRay™ Transceiver ICs and with its AS8221, which is already well known in the FlexRay community, the device focus changed to a system-based focus to provide profound knowledge for customers in design-ins of FlexRay Transceivers. The AS8220 FlexRay™ Basis Transceiver and the AS8224 FlexRay™ Active Star Device will be available soon, expanding austriamicrosystems’ FlexRay™ Transceiver family.“TEODACS allows us to combine the knowledge from different domains to utilize experience in an efficient way for our customers”, Harald Gall, Product Manager In-Vehicle Networks at austriamicrosystems, explains. “In addition, this unique know-how will be reflected in our future automotive networking products.”The deployment of FlexRay™ networks results in numerous challenges for the system design. At the same time, the networks and the various possibilities the system offers, have not been entirely investigated so far. This is the goal of the TEODACS project which aims to investigate the FlexRay system behaviour with a novel holistic approach including analysis on an enhanced laboratory setup and the concurrent simulation of the comprehensive framework. This duality combines the advantage of capturing limiting factors in real networking structures and the flexibility when performing simulations considering varying conditions. The experience gained during the development of the physical setup and the simulation environment will be used to develop novel concepts and methods for the efficient test and deployment of FlexRay™ in vehicles.
◎06/02/2008 Component Manufacturer Partron Selects NemeriX to Enhance GPS Modules for PND and Mobile Handset Markets
Manno Switzerland - NemeriX, a leading fabless semiconductor company specializing in ultra low power, high-performance A-GPS solutions for GPS and location-based service (LBS) products, today announced a partnership with Partron, a leading component manufacturer serving the mobile phone and PND markets, to incorporate NemeriX's high-performance GPS solutions into Partron's components.Based in Korea, Partron designs, manufactures and supplies RF modules, GPS components, VGA camera modules, antennas and other components to handset and PND manufacturers. Launched in 2003, Partron was founded by the technologists who led RF-development for the mobile communications division of Samsung Electro-Mechanics. Since its founding, Partron has become one of the world's premier manufacturers of RF modules.By leveraging NemeriX's chipsets, Partron has significantly enhanced the performance and efficiency of its GPS modules - which are featured in approximately 70% of all PNDs sold in Korea and China. The enhancements delivered from its partnership with NemeriX will help Partron increase its PND market-share on a global basis, and also provide a competitive advantage for Partron's components in mobile phone markets."We've selected NemeriX because of the quality of their products, and because their technical support is first rate," said Steven Cho, Senior Sales Manager for Partron. "The NemeriX chipsets integrate seamlessly with our GPS offerings, and NemeriX's low-power design provides a power savings of more than 60% compared to some of the other GPS chipsets we've evaluated.""Partron's innovation and technical leadership in developing RF solutions for mobile phones, PNDs and base stations is widely recognized by our customers, and by many of the companies we seek to do business with," said Lew Boore, VP of Marketing for NemeriX. "We're thrilled to work with Partron, and we look forward to a lasting and successful partnership together."
◎05/27/2008 Sun angle sensor with a planar set-up
Precise angle measurement at a very small surface Dortmund: ELMOS Semiconductor AG presents a sun angle sensor with a planar set-up (E910.86) for the precise angle measurement of incidence of light. The new ELMOS sensor needs no optics and is assembled in a small package of just 4x4mm2. If this sensor is placed sufficiently close to the dashboard surface, a planar transition between sensor and environment is possible for the first time. Samples as well as demoboards will be available as of July 2008.Systems for measuring the angle of incident light are required for many applications in vehicles. Certainly the most well-known among them is the control of air-conditioning systems. For this application, sensors are placed e.g. on top of the dashboard behind the windshield to detect the energy and the angle of incident sunlight for an optimized control of air conditioning. The light reaches the surface of the sensor directly, without optical focusing or other manipulations. The sensor principle is based on measuring the difference of the photocurrents of two adjacent photo diodes. A shadow mask placed on top of the diodes adequately covers these photo diodes or leaves them exposed. As shadow mask, one of the metallization levels resulting from the IC manufacturing process is utilized. Apart from the angle sensor, the IC contains two photo diodes with a programmable linear amplifier. The photo diodes have two different spectral sensitivities (red and blue sensitive). The amplification is programmed via the SPI interface for both spectral sensitivities. The intensity signal is released through an analog output. The photo current is converted through the feedback resistor into a voltage and then converted back into a current by a second resistor. The resistance relation thus determines the degree of amplification. The amplification can be programmed by the user over more than two decades. The programming is made through the number of connected diode segments (32 segments) and through the resistor. This way the amplification can be adjusted at 1% precision.A precise temperature sensor for temperature compensation and for the control of the additional application via an interface enhances the application range of this IC.
The most important features in a nutshell:
Angle measurement range 15° to 165°
Operating temperature range –40°C to 105°C
Serial interface (SPI)
2-dimensional detection of angle of incidence
Measurement of angle of incidence with 3° resolution
2 photo diodes with different spectral sensitivities implemented
Demoboard available as of July 2008
Potential applications

Air conditioning control
Automatic tinting of windshield/mirrors (glare shield)
Illumination control (driving light/interior)
Blind control (building services engineering)
◎05/19/2008 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
austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), 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 inning 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 life-time 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.
◎05/16/2008 austriamicrosystems presents AS5134, a high precision angle position sensor offering excellent performance in automotive applications
New AS5134 rotary encoder particularly designed to support commutation of brushless DC motors
austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, today expanded its successful magnetic rotary encoder family with the AS5134. This innovative rotary encoder IC is fully qualified to AEC-Q100 and specifically designed for brushless DC sensing in automotive applications in an ambient temperature range up to 150°C.With an 8.5-bit resolution, the AS5134 can recognize 360 positions within one 360° turn and is accessible with either a serial or a PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) interface. In addition, there are three differently programmable incremental outputs available, one of which delivers a three-phase commutation signal for brushless DC motors. Another special feature is the programmability of 1 to 6 pole pairs. The AS5134 provides a "power saving mode" with a power consumption of less than 1.5mA and a fast start-up time to normal operation of less than 250µs.Several features of the AS5134, including user-specific zero programming, a diagnostic function for correct positioning of the magnet, or the ability to recognize interruptions of the power supply are already standard in austriamicrosystems' entire encoder product family. The AS5134 additionally offers a "daisy chain" mode to read position data serially over a two wire bus. "The proportion of brushless DC motors (BLDC) in automotive propulsion technology as well as in the industrial sector is increasing rapidly because the benefits of BLDC are as numerous as convincing. In addition to higher efficiency and longer service life, drives can be designed offering higher precision, better dynamic properties and more flexibility. The AS5134 was specifically developed to improve the performance of these BLDC motors," says Berhard Czar, Marketing Director Automotive at austriamicrosystems.
◎05/07/2008 NemeriX's Lew Boore to Lead Key Debate on GPS at IET & GSA International Semiconductor Forum 2008
NemeriX VP Marketing to Head GPS Panel Session at Major Industry Forum for Global Semiconductor Industry
Manno Switzerland - NemeriX, a leading fabless semiconductor company specializing in ultra low power, high-performance A-GPS solutions for GPS and location-based service (LBS) products,today announced that NemeriX's VP Marketing Lew Boore will be moderating a key panel session on GPS at the IET & GSA International Semiconductor Forum 2008 (ExCel London, UK, 14 & 15 May 2008). Boore will head up a panel of leading industry professionals - including senior executives from Air Semiconductor and CSR - in a discussion entitled "GPS - What's your Global
Position?". The session, which will be held on Thursday 15th May, will focus on the key challenges and opportunities arising from the growth of consumer navigation and location-based service markets, addressing both business and technology perspectives. Now in its fifth year, the IET & GSA International Semiconductor Forum attracts participation
from some of the world's major semiconductor companies, and its leading industry figures. The 2008 event will provide two days of education sessions plus a complimentary exhibition.Members of the media interested in scheduling a briefing with NemeriX can do so by contacting Nicky Davis at nicky[at] evokedset.com.
05/07/2008 austriamicrosystems’ announces dual simultaneous sampling 1MSPS 12-bit ADC
The 12-bit AS1545 offers two independent 1MSPS ADCs, each with 6 input channels, combined with low power consumption austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, has introduced the AS1545, a dual high-speed successive-approximation ADC with low power consumption, excellent DC performance and outstanding dynamic specifications, expanding austriamicrosystems high-speed ADC portfolio.The AS1545 offers 12-bit resolution on each of the two ADCs and uses advanced design techniques to achieve low power dissipation at high throughput rates. At a conversion speed of 1MSPS and including the internal 2.5V reference, the AS1545 uses only 5.5mA. In full power-down mode the supply current drops to less than 1µA.Two complete and independent ADC channels allow simultaneous sampling and conversion of two channels. The 12 input channels are software configurable allowing each ADC to offer six single-ended channels or three fully or pseudo differential pairs, as programmed. The conversion result of both ADCs is simultaneously available on separate data lines or in succession on one data line if only one serial port is available.
"High speed dual converters like the AS1545 are ideal for motor control applications," said Walter Moshammer, Marketing Director Standard Linear at austriamicrosystems. “The 1MSPS dual ADC channels allow the simultaneous measurement of the difference of inputs. Additionally, the AS1545 offers a step-up/down counter for counting revolutions as well as a direction bit and information on the quadrature signal phases.”AS1545 operates from a single 2.7 to 5.25 V supply and contains a Vdrive (interface drive voltage) function which enables the serial interface to connect directly to either 3 or 5 V processor systems independent of the ADC’s supply voltage. The ADC can be interfaced via a high speed SPI/QSPI/Microwire or DSP interface.The AS1545 offers a rail to rail analog input range and can be selected to be a 0 V to VREF(or 2 × VREF), with either straight binary or two’s complement output coding. The common mode input range of the analog inputs also goes from rail to rail. The internal 2.5V reference can be overdriven when an external reference is preferred.The AS1545 is available in a small 5x5mm 32-pin TQFN package suitable for operating environments ranging from -40°C to +85°C. Product-specific information and free samples via austriamicrosystems’ online shop ICdirect are available at www.austriamicrosystems.com/AS1545/description_AS1545.htm
◎05/05/2008 austriamicrosystems presents AS7620, industry’s first 32V 500mA buck regulator with integrated dual power monitor
AS7620 high voltage buck regulator offers low 30µA quiescent current, high partial load efficiency and maximizes data integrity during power-fail conditions austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, today expanded its DC-DC converter portfolio with the AS7620, a hysteretic, high efficiency 32V step-down regulator in a small 4x4mm MLPQ 12-pin package. Ideally suited to maximize up-time of utility metering, sensor interface and other industrial motion control and battery-powered data-acquisition equipment, the AS7620 provides both, early-power-fail warning and power-good signals to microcontrollers that cannot afford to lose critical data during a power failure or brown-out condition. The AS7620 DC-DC regulator is optimized for industrial 24V applications and delivers up to 500mA. Available with a fixed 3.3V output or adjustable output voltage between 1.2V and VIN, the device features a wide input voltage between 3.6V and 32V and offers a high efficiency rate of up to 93%. Additionally, an integrated 100% duty-cycle extends operation in low-dropout conditions. A pin-selectable peak current limit optimizes inductor selection, reducing component size. Built on a hysteretic architecture, the AS7620 is a power miser when it comes to minimum and partial load operation, operating on less than 37µA when delivering 500µA of output current and consuming approximately 100µA at 10mA output, which allows for smaller hold-up capacitors or extends operating battery life for portable analyzers. “austriamicrosystems’ AS7620 is the first in a series of high-voltage step-down converters that addresses the peculiar needs of industrial 24V applications, and is industry’s first 32V-stepdown converter to provide simultaneously an early-power-fail warning and power-good signal in a compact, thermally efficient package, hereby eliminating external comparators and reducing board space” said Matjaz Novak, Marketing Director Industry & Medical at austriamicrosystems. “When the lights go out, the AS7620 shines with its low operating current and extended supply voltage range that includes a low-drop-out mode to keep that microcontroller running until its supply voltage falls below the 90% power-good threshold.” The AS7620 DC-DC converter allows a wide range of low profile inductors and ceramic capacitors and does not require any compensation. Soft-start, current limit and thermal shutdown make this converter fail-safe. During shutdown the current draw is reduced to only 1µA. The AS7620 DC-DC converter is available now in a 4x4mm MLPQ 12-pin package and is specified for the industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C for ambient conditions.
◎04/29/2008 Avnet Memec, austriamicrosystems Ink North American Distribution Pact
PHOENIX , USA and Unterpremstaetten, Austria (April 29, 2008) – Avnet Memec, a specialty semiconductor division of Avnet Electronics Marketing – an operating group of Avnet, Inc.(NYSE: AVT) – and austriamicrosystems, a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog integrated circuits (ICs), have inked a North American distribution agreement.As a global designer and manufacturer, austriamicrosystems develops and produces industry-leading standard analog semiconductors for industrial, medical, communications and automotive applications. Avnet Memec specializes in offering a level of technical depth that is unmatched in the industry. Together, austriamicrosystems and Avnet Memec will deliver the full line of austriamicrosystems’ high performance analog solutions to customers throughout the United States.“We are excited to partner with Avnet Memec, given their leadership in service and support, excellent market access and dynamic sales approach,” commented David Olson, director of sales, Americas, at austriamicrosystems. “We will utilize Avnet Memec’s solutions expertise to promote our lines and drive sales growth at a broad spectrum of customers in North America.”“austriamicrosystems offers a unique line of high performance standard product solutions that are a strong compliment to the Avnet Memec line card,” said Phil Sansone, senior vice president of Avnet Memec. “Together we will deliver cutting-edge products that translate to faster time to market for today’s designers and engineers.”