UMC and Micronas" Collaborate on Low-cost, High-performance Flat-panel Video Controller ICs
Companies Achieve First-pass Yield Success For DPS 9450 SoC Design
HSINCHU CITY, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2002--
Micronas (SWX:MASN)(Neuer Markt:MNSN), the Germany-based IC
developer, and UMC (NYSE:UMC - news), a world leading semiconductor foundry,
today announced the first-pass silicon success of the DPS 9450 video
controller chip. The DPS 9450, designed in UMC's 0.18 micron
mixed-mode CMOS technology, provides a single-chip solution that
greatly simplifies integration of video and TV functionality for the
fast-growing flat-panel display market that includes LCD and plasma
displays.
The DPS 9450 is a true system-on-chip design that includes IP,
embedded memories, I/Os and customized high-performance analog macros.
The combination of these elements into one IC ensures that the DPS
9450 controller chip is able to deliver higher performance with
greater efficiency at lower system costs over traditional multi-chip
configurations.
"The short development window in which we have been able to
achieve these outstanding results reflects the close cooperation and
technological expertise that exists between our two companies' teams,"
commented Dr. Fu Tai Liou, Chief Officer of worldwide sales and
marketing for UMC. "Through our cooperative efforts, Micronas is able
to provide their chips for the flat-panel market, an area with
tremendous growth potential in the coming years."
The DPS 9450 can work in conjunction with Micronas' MDE 9500 TV
audio/video decoder systems as well as with the Multi Standard Sound
Processors of the MSP-Family, both of which are being produced by UMC.
With the latest development, the MDE 9500, a hybrid analog/digital TV
decoder IC, Micronas can provide state-of-the-art system solutions for
digital broadcast decoding and advanced display performance. The MSP
chips integrate demodulator and baseband functions for use in TV sets
and have become the industry's most successful chips in its class,
working together with all major TV standards world wide. Also part of
Micronas TV frontend system solutions are the members of the VSP 94xy
family of scan rate converter chips enabling 100 Hz and progressive
scan television designs at very competitive prices.
"This single-chip solution will give the flat-panel display market
a boost in time to market and an edge in performance over traditional
solutions," said Nik Kaeppeler, vice president of operations at
Micronas. "Upcoming video products will profit from this first-pass
success."
About UMC
UMC (NYSE:UMC - news; TSE:2303) is a world-leading semiconductor foundry
that manufactures advanced process ICs for applications spanning every
major sector of the semiconductor industry. UMC delivers the
cutting-edge foundry technologies that enable sophisticated
system-on-chip (SOC) designs, including 0.13-micron copper/low k,
embedded DRAM, and mixed signal/RFCMOS. In addition, UMC is a leader
in 300mm manufacturing with three strategically located 300mm fabs to
serve our global customer base: Fab 12A in Taiwan, UMCi in Singapore
(completion in 2002), and AU Pte. Ltd., a joint venture facility with
AMD also located in Singapore (production in 2005). UMC employs over
8,500 people worldwide and has offices in Taiwan, Japan, Singapore,
Europe, and the United States. UMC can be found on the web at
http://www.umc.com.
About Micronas
Micronas (SWX:MASN) (Neuer Markt Frankfurt:MNSN), a semiconductor
company group with worldwide operations, is a leading supplier of
cutting-edge IC and sensor system solutions for consumer electronics,
multimedia and automotive electronics. The holding is headquartered in
Zurich (Switzerland). Currently, the Micronas group employs about 1500
people. In 2001, it generated over CHF 566 Million in sales. For more
information on Micronas and its products, please visit
www.micronas.com.
Contact:
KJ Communications (for UMC)
Eileen Elam, 650/917-1488
kjcome@cs.com
or
UMC
Alex Hinnawi, +886-2-2700-6999 ext. 6958
alex_hinnawi@umc.com
or
Micronas
Iris Bahr, +49-761-517-2324
Iris.Bahr@Micronas.com
