Atmel Introduces New Storage Product Family.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 1998--Atmel Corporation (Nasdaq:ATML) announced today the introduction of a new generation of advanced data storage chips.

One-Chip+(TM), introduced by Atmel's Storage Products Group, is an innovative new solution designed to improve data storage products for digital video drives (DVD), CD-ROM and removable media mass storage equipment manufacturers.

Analog, microcontrollers, memory and other elements implemented in Atmel's low cost CMOS processes are designed and characterized to allow for efficient development of controllers, servo systems and read channels leading to faster development of system level integration (SLI) for all these products.

The One-Chip+ library typically covers 80% of the customer's requirements reducing design time and NRE costs to only the remaining 20%. The 3.3 volt core design significantly reduces power consumption over a 5.0 volt design.

An array of storage product components will be offered for hard disk drives, DVD and high capacity removable disk products. The first devices based on the One-Chip+ solution are the AT78C1503 DVD-RAM 5X read channel and the AT78C1505 a DVD-RAM preamplifier. Atmel offers its customers application and code development assistance, sophisticated evaluation boards, customer design verification and much more.

Unlike a traditional ASIC development, which requires the customer to totally define the design, the One-Chip+ approach encourages customers to provide as little or as much of the design as they wish.

Working closely with customer's engineers Atmel will design a device to fully meet the customer requirements. Devices may be as simple as glue logic plus analog functions or as complex as a hard disk drive SLI which would include interface controller, servo system, microcontroller, SRAM and Flash memory.

To complete the DVD chipset a triple embedded AVR(R) based servo system with high performance MAC and interface controller complete with laser power controller are all slated for introduction in early 1999. In addition to supporting DVD-RAM applications, the set is also DVD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW capable.

By late 1999 additional DVD chipsets will merge controller, microprocessors, servo systems and Flash memory into one device. All of these chips, with the exception of the Laser Power Driver, which is in the 0.6u BiCMOS, are in Atmel's 0.35u CMOS process.

The first of a larger series, Atmel's current DVD chipset is a complete system. "It is our belief that Atmel is the only company offering such a complete chipset in this market place," noted John Read, Atmel's storage products business unit manager. "By using our chipset, with its optimized interfaces between the devices, a manufacturer eliminates the need for most external components resulting in reduced system costs," Read added.

The AT78C1503 is available in a 64-pin TQFP priced at $2.25 each in quantities of 100,000 units. The AT78C1505 is available in a 48-pin TQFP priced at $1.50 each in quantities of 100,000 units.

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with principal manufacturing facilities in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nantes and Rousset, France and Heilbronn, Germany.

Atmel designs, develops, manufactures and markets on a worldwide basis semiconductors, including nonvolatile and embedded memory, logic, analog, microcontroller products and system-level integration (SLI) solutions using advanced CMOS, BiCMOS, BiPolar and SiGe process technologies.

Atmel product and financial information can be retrieved from its Fax-on-Demand service. In North America call 800/292-8635. Internationally from a fax phone please call 408/441-0732. Requests may be sent via e-mail to [e-mail] or by visiting Atmel's website at www.atmel.com.

Note to Editors: Atmel, the Atmel logo and combinations thereof are trademarks of Atmel Corporation. One-Chip+ is a trademark of Atmel. AVR is a trademark of Atmel. Additional terms and product names in this document may be trademarks of others.