Cirrus Logic's New ATAPI Decoder Elevates CD-ROM Drive Performance Levels; Cirrus Logic Offers Industry's First 24X ATAPI CD-ROM Decoder.

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 1997--Underscoring its position as a leader in optical storage technology, Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq: CRUS) today announced the industry's first 24X ATAPI CD-ROM decoder, the CL-CR3420. With features specifically designed to raise the performance bar for CD-ROM drives, the new decoder is 20 percent faster than current solutions. The single-chip solution combines a sophisticated buffer manager with an advanced programmable error correction code (ECC) technology to produce the industry's fastest 24X data transfer rate.

"With the emergence of the CD-ROM drive as a standard component in today's PC, drive manufacturers need single-chip controllers that deliver leading-edge technology and are easily implemented," said Nicos Syrimis, general manager of Cirrus Logic's Optical Storage Division. "The CR-3420's integrated ECC technology and hardware automation of the data path provide these benefits while reducing microcontroller intervention to enhance the drive's overall performance."

The new chip supports all CD-ROM formats including Sony-Philips(R) CD-ROM, CD-I and CD-DA(TM) (Digital Audio). The chip also supports fast ATA transfer modes (PIO mode 4 and multi-word DMA mode 2), all ATAPI reset commands, automated command functions, and advanced ECC technology.

Cirrus Logic's highly-integrated solution is equipped with the industry's most advanced data integrity protection technology. Even at 24X disc speeds the chip's integrated ECC capability is utilized without stopping disc transfers when an ECC error occurs. The chip's powerful on-the-fly ECC algorithm, combined with its hardware sector header validity check and real-time subcode correction in CD-DA mode, allows retrieval of otherwise unrecoverable data.

In addition to the advanced data integrity protection, this new decoder is also compatible with its predecessors, CR3410 and CR3415, allowing existing OEMs to preserve the firmware code base, reducing firmware development and improving time-to-market. All that's needed to build a high-performance, cost-effective CD-ROM drive is an external buffer memory (SRAM or DRAM), a local microcontroller and a system RAM and ROM.

The new chip's CD-ROM DSP interface can be used with various compact disc DSP controllers to support a wide variety of implementations and performance requirements. The key to the chip's universal CD support with its DSP interface is its ability to perform real-time subcode correction in CD-DA mode. The unique combination of DSP interface and ECC support enable the chip to transfer data at unprecedented speeds.

"With this introduction, Cirrus Logic underscores its commitment to enhance the end-user's multimedia experience," said Syrimis. "The CL-CR3420's 24X data transfer rate and advanced ECC technology significantly enhance today's CD multimedia applications, such as games and MPEG video playback, by creating a smoother video image."

Cirrus Logic is a leading manufacturer of advanced integrated circuits for the desktop and portable computing, telecommunications, and consumer electronics markets. The company applies its system-level expertise in analog and digital design to innovate highly integrated, software-rich solutions. Cirrus Logic has developed a broad portfolio of products and technologies for applications spanning multimedia, communications, mass storage, and data acquisition.

Additional information about Cirrus Logic and its subsidiaries may be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.cirrus.com/ or via fax-on-demand at 800/359-6414 (dial 510/249-4200 from outside the United States). -0-

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