Atmel Smart Card Interface IC is Approved by NDS for Use with VideoGuard Conditional Access Software in Set Top Boxes

Nantes, France July 12, 2004 . . . Atmel® Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today that AT83C24 low-cost smart card interface IC has been approved by NDS for use in Set Top Box, featuring NDS VideoGuard® – a pre-eminent conditional access software solution for pay-TV.

"This approval is an important step in our global smart card reader strategy," said Arnaud Ruchon, product manager at Atmel. "After addressing the PC and Industrial markets with our Serial, USB and PCMCIA smart card reader ICs (AT89C5121, AT89C5122, AT83C5123, AT83C25) this approval allows us to be present in all Smart Card reader market segments including Set Top Boxes.”

The AT83C24 is a smart card reader interface IC for smart card reader applications such as Set-Top Box and EFT/POS terminals. The device handles any type of smart card (1.8V, 3V or 5V) from any kind of host supplied from 1.6 to 5.5 Volts, thanks to its high efficiency DC/DC converter and automatic level shifters. Up to eight AT83C24 devices can be connected in parallel using the programmable Two Wires Interface addresses. For example, one Set Top Box can use two devices to manage one subscriber card and another payment card requiring EMV compliancy.

The AT89EVK-01 evaluation kit can be plugged into a TDA8004 or TDA8024 footprint and allows customers to verify the suitability of the AT83C24 for use in existing Set Top Box designs. The AT89EVK-01 evaluation kit is available at $150 each.

The NDS approved version of the AT83C24 featuring enhanced electrical parameters is referenced AT83C24NDS. It is the smallest Interface IC supporting NDS requirements with a DC/DC input voltage as low as 3V. Parts are available in volume production in QFN28 and SO28 packages. Pricing starts at $0.95 each in 10,000-unit quantity.

About Atmel

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, California with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies.

© Atmel Corporation 2004. All rights reserved. Atmel, the Atmel logo are registered trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. VideoGuard® is a registered trademark of NDS Limited. Other terms and product names in this document may be the trademarks of others.

Information

Information on Atmel's AT83C24 product can be retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?PN=AT83C24