Xicor Unveils Thor Architecture
Innovative Architecture Enables Highly Accurate Open Loop Control
Ideal for Fiber Optic Transceivers, Microwave Amplifiers and PLL Control
MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2002--Xicor, Inc.
(Nasdaq:XICO - news) today unveiled THOR(TM), a new architecture for high
performance open loop control. This innovative architecture allows
systems designers to easily implement arbitrary "nth order" error
correction to implement true zero error systems. Errors related to
time, temperature or other system level effects can be corrected in
manufacturing, or adaptively, while the system is in operation.
The THOR(TM) architecture features an 8-bit analog to digital
converter input stage that can sample analog signals from external
sources, or from either an on-chip programmable voltage reference or
on-chip temperature sensor. Designers can implement an arbitrary
compensation curve that is stored in a 2176-bit on-chip look-up table.
This digitized input signal is then multiplied by information stored
in the look-up table; the result is then used to control either of two
programmable current source outputs.
The look-up table programming, and selection of analog input
source, is done digitally via an industry standard two-wire bus. This
facilitates control of open loop analog functions via low cost
microcontrollers.
The first product utilizing the THOR(TM) architecture, the X9530,
is targeted at metropolitan area networks (MANs) and 10GE (XENPAK)
local area networks (LANs), where the look-up table will be used to
store temperature compensation curves. Dell Oro estimates that 46.5
million fiber optic transceivers will be sold into fiber optic-based
networks in 2003, growing to 85.6 million in 2005. The X9530 is
expected to start early sampling to key customers in the second
quarter of 2002 and will have an average selling price of between
$2.00 and $4.00. The typical LAN/MAN module will require 2-4
X9530-like products.
Other significant applications will be PIN diode biasing in
microwave communications systems, PWM control in DC motors, and PLL
control in industrial servo control systems.
"The THOR(TM) architecture is a significant breakthrough in open
loop control," stated Mike Levis, vice president of marketing at
Xicor. "It enables true zero error systems, and is only possible
through the innovative use of Xicor's nonvolatile technology."
About Xicor
Xicor designs, develops, and markets a wide variety of
programmable mixed-signal integrated circuits used in networking,
computing, communication and industrial applications. The Company's
products include digitally controlled potentiometers and system
management ICs that allow system designers to digitally control analog
functions in signal processing, microprocessor monitoring and power
management.
Xicor product, corporate and financial information is readily
available on the World Wide Web at http://www.xicor.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters
set forth in this press release are forward looking statements that
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially. These risks may include the impact of competing
products and pricing, timely design acceptance by our customers,
timely ability to ramp new products into volume production, industry
wide shifts in supply and demand for semiconductor products, and other
risks detailed from time to time in Xicor's SEC filings.
Note to Editors: "Xicor" and "XDCP" are registered trademarks of
Xicor Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective
owners.
Note: A Photo is available at URL:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.041502/bb5
Contact:
Xicor, Inc.
Mike Levis, 408/546-3317 (VP, Marketing)
mlevis@xicor.com
