Chipidea Offers Controller Core To Complete Full Line Of USB Offerings

LISBON, Portugal – May 31, 2006 – Chipidea, the world leader in analog/mixed signal merchant technology, today announced the immediate availability of its new USB controller core, a digital IP block designed to complement the company's extensive portfolio of mixed signal USB physical layer transceiver (PHY) IP. The controller core eases integration into System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solutions by offering designers a one-stop shop for their complete USB needs.

The Chipidea 1.0a is a USB 2.0 link controller IP core that was acquired in a technology transfer from TransDimension. The offering represents a milestone for Chipidea, which has built its reputation as a pure-play analog/mixed signal IP provider. By offering this digital USB controller block, SoC designers can integrate a complete USB subsystem without the need of using another vendor's IP. This move is designed to greatly reduce the risk of integration.

Chipidea's design team enhanced the performance of this USB controller core with source code revisions after the IP was acquired and incorporated into the company's design flow process. All the improvements to this controller are available to new and existing customers with USB maintenance contracts. The release of this core lays the foundation for future USB controller releases that can be specifically customized for a wide variety of market applications.

"Our new USB controller is a perfect match with Chipidea's extensive portfolio of silicon-proven USB PHYs, which means we can deliver an USB solution for virtually any configuration the market needs," said Luis Miguel Sampaio, vice president of Chipidea IP Connectivity Solutions. "Chipidea's success in the market is a direct result of our ability to supply customers with the most advanced intellectual property solutions available. This latest release reinforces Chipidea's position as the industry's leading analog-mixed signal IP provider."

Chipidea's latest USB offering features an industry-leading low gate count to enable compact, cost-effective, low-power USB-based SoC solutions. The architecture is a blend of firmware and hardware and features a direct memory access (DMA) engine for high data throughput.

About Chipidea
Chipidea is the world's number one analog/mixed-signal merchant technology supplier targeting fast-growing market segments like wireless communications, digital media and consumer electronics. Chipidea supports blue-chip customers across the globe, has an impeccable reputation for delivering high-quality products and is known for its reliable execution.
Chipidea licenses its technology to leading companies in these and other key markets, delivering everything from precision single-function blocks to full analog sub-systems.
Chipidea employs more than 200 people in its research and development, and sales and marketing offices across Europe, Asia and North America.
For more information, please visit: www.chipidea.com