Amphion first : MPEG-2 core for FPGA implements video decode in single programmable logic device

Belfast, N. Ireland (September 24, 2001) - Amphion Semiconductor Ltd. today launches the industry's first application-specific core for MPEG-2 Video Decode in a single high-density programmable logic device. The Amphion CS6651 MPEG-2 Video Decoder is a highly integrated intellectual-property (IP) core for decompression of MPEG-2 Main Profile at Main Level and MPEG-1 encoded video streams for implementation in a single FPGA device. Amphion (formerly Integrated Silicon Systems) is the leading provider of semiconductor intellectual-property (SIP) for multimedia, wireless and broadband communications with a range of design-reusable application-specific IP cores for rapid integration in SoC, ASIC and FPGA.

MPEG-2 in FPGA
"This is another industry first for Amphion - the whole enchilada for MPEG-2 video decode in a single FPGA." said J G Doherty, CEO and co-founder. "As ISS, we were first to market some years ago with JPEG cores for FPGA." The new CS6651 incorporates memory controller and display DMA, and maps into single devices in the Altera APEX20K SRAM PLD family and the Xilinx Virtex series FPGA family. The CS6651 is initially available in versions for the Altera APEX20KE [16041 Logic Elements, 28 ESBs] and the Xilinx Virtex-E [7377 Slices, 18 Block RAMs]. The CS6651 joins the Amphion range of video and imaging products which also includes a High-Definition MPEG-2 Video Decoder core for ASIC, and Motion-JPEG cores for ASIC and FPGA. Technical datasheets and databooks for Amphion MPEG-2 and M-JPEG products are available at www.amphion.com/video.html

Amphion is a member of the Altera Megafunction Partners Program (AMPP) and the Xilinx AllianceCORE program. Amphion is an MPEG LA® MPEG-2 patent portfolio licensee.

About MPEG LA®
MPEG LA® was established to assure the interoperability and implementation of digital video by providing fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory access to worldwide patent rights that are essential for the MPEG-2 Video and Systems standard. The MPEG LA MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License makes worldwide MPEG-2 essential patent rights available to all users on the same terms at fixed rates under a single license. The MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License now has 290 licensees and includes more than 300 MPEG-2 essential patents in 29 countries owned by 17 patent holders. Companies that make MPEG-2 products need the essential patent rights the License provides; it is the easiest, most cost-effective way to obtain them. The License enables users to clear patent rights before making products - there are no certifications, no fees to join and no minimums. For more information, please refer to www.mpegla.com

About Amphion
Amphion is the leading supplier of application-specific cores for IP-based System-on-a-Chip (SoC) integrated circuit designs for multimedia, wireless and broadband communications. Amphion delivers high-performance solutions for video and image compression, advanced encryption, and speech and channel coding, with a comprehensive range of silicon-optimized products. Using proprietary techniques for the direct-mapping of processing functions and algorithms into hardware, Amphion develops and licenses semiconductor intellectual-property (SIP) cores that realize 10X to 1000X improvements in performance over conventional implementations using software-programmable DSP processors. Amphion is a privately-held company with corporate headquarters and engineering in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK and worldwide sales and marketing headquarters in San Jose, California. Amphion was formally known as Integrated Silicon Systems Ltd, or ISS. For more information, visit http://www.amphion.com

Notes to Editors
Amphion, The Amphion logo, "Virtual Components for the Converging World", "Innovation by Amphion", "The Multimedia ASVC Company", are trademarks of Amphion Semiconductor Ltd. All other brand names or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Press Contacts

David Mann, Amphion
Europe: +44 28 9050 4040
marcom@amphion.com

Ron Sailors, Amphion
North America: (408) 441-1248
marcom@amphion.com