Philips Semiconductors Boosts Class D Family With New Single Chip Audio Amplifiers
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2001--Philips
Semiconductors, a division of Royal Philips Electronics
(NYSE:PHG - news; AEX:PHI), has boosted the home audio market, launching a
series of single-chip Class D audio amplifiers. Targeted at multiple
applications, including DVD receivers, these new single-chip devices
enhance the company's existing Class D family, enabling smaller end
products and greater flexibility with a larger power range. The first
product in the series is the TDA8920TH.
The introduction of the single chip device confirms Philips
Semiconductors' strength in digital amplifiers, reinforcing their
market and technology leading positions in analog audio. The device's
high efficiency will decrease both power consumption and heat
dissipation facilitating qualification for environmental standards. In
addition, minimizing the use of heat sinks results in a reduced
application size and cost. The single chip will deliver excellent
power performance and sound quality for all medium to high-power music
applications.
"Class D is the leading new technology for audio amplification,"
said Jean van Eeghem, audio chip marketing manager at Philips
Semiconductors. "Through the use of unique technology processes
combined with our past analog experience, we have developed a single
chip solution to satisfy all power requirements. The chips will have
particular value for DVD receivers, home micro systems, speaker
systems, flat screen TV designs and car audio."
In the past, higher power meant an increase in Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI), however vast experience in IC design has enabled
Philips Semiconductors to overcome this problem and ensure lower EMI
at high power. The one-chip Class D offers best-in-class performance
(THD 0.02%) because of closed loop construction. Compared with the
open loop systems, used in current full digital solutions, power
supply costs are minimized and the excellent EMI performance of the
Philips one-chip enables integration of the tuner and amplifier in
receiver systems. Furthermore, the pin-to-pin scalable power level
ensures a high level of flexibility, enabling manufacturers to upgrade
their designs by simply changing the IC.
Philips Semiconductors is one of only a few companies to
manufacture a one-chip Class D device using the innovative SOI
Audio-BCD process. As a result the Class D chips are versatile, with
the ability to handle analog and digital power simultaneously. In
addition, the ICs fabricated in A-BCD have the advantage of inherent
robustness and greater temperature tolerance.
Pricing and Availability
Samples will be available in the first quarter of 2002 with volume
production starting in the second quarter of 2002. In volume
quantities of 1,000 pieces or more, the estimated price will be $5.50.
About Philips Semiconductors
Philips Semiconductors, with revenues of US $6.3 billion in 2000,
is a world leader in silicon systems and standard products for
wireless communications, digital entertainment, computing and
automotive applications. The organization designs, develops and
manufactures silicon solutions based on its innovative Nexperia(TM)
architecture to create living technology for its customers building
products, service providers using the products, and consumers enjoying
the resulting products and services. For more information:
www.semiconductors.philips.com.
Note to Editors: Please note that there is an electronic
photograph accompanying this press release available on request.
Please contact Lily Lin at The Hoffman Agency (Tel.: 408/975-3084,
E-mail: llin@hoffman.com).
Please do not print these contact details in your publication.
Contact:
Philips Semiconductors (Asia PAC)
Robyn Kao, +886 2 2134 2968
Robyn.Kao@philips.com
www.semiconductors.philips.com
or
The Hoffman Agency (USA)
Lily Lin, 408/975-3084
llin@hoffman.com
or
Warman & Bannister (Europe)
Birgit van Gellecom, +31 40 214 60 14
BirgitG@warban.nl
