Cypress Introduces 3.3V RoboClock; Extends Leadership in Programmable Clock Chips.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 1998--Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:CY) today extended its leadership in the programmable clock chip market with the introduction of a 3.3 V version of the popular CY7B991 (known as RoboClock(R)) device.

The CY7B991V offers the same industry-leading features as the original RoboClock, including programmable skew and zero propagation delay while addressing the need for 3.3-V supply voltage.

RoboClock devices allow customers to compensate for clock skews arising from varying circuit board trace lengths and device set-up and hold times. They offer customers design flexibility with user-selectable outputs allowing multiply by two and four, divide by two and four, and invert options.

RoboClock also lets designers minimize effects such as distortion (e.g., crosstalk) and electro-magnetic interference (EMI) associated with the distribution of high-speed clocks in multiprocessing systems or from board to board within a system. RoboClock's programmability allows designers to solve difficult board layout issues quickly, speeding time-to-market in networking, telecommunications, video graphics, and other applications.

RoboClock's specifications include skew control tested and guaranteed to 500 picoseconds, with selectable skew between outputs from 700 ps to 1.5 ns. For clock buffering applications, RoboClock devices offer zero propagation delay and zero output skew. They guarantee a 50% duty cycle, a specification bus standards such as PCI require. Non-PLL based clock buffers do not control the pulse skew that creates duty-cycle distortion.

"RoboClock has been acknowledged by major networking and telecom customers as the number one programmable clock chip in the market," said Geoff Charubin, DataCom product line marketing manager for Cypress. "The 3.3V offering allows us to extend this leadership into applications requiring low voltage."

All key skew specifications of the RoboClock devices are tested and guaranteed, including pin-to-pin skew, propagation delay, and rise and fall time. Cypress is the only supplier that tests and guarantees all skew specifications for a skew control device, ensuring reliable operation in customer systems.

Price and Availability

The 3.3-V CY7B991V RoboClock is available now in production quantities. Available in 32-pin PLCC packages, the devices are offered in 500- and 750-ps accuracy versions. In 10,000-unit quantities, the 750-ps version is priced at $9.35. Customers can call Cypress at 1-800-858-1810 in the United States or 408/943-2600 for more information.

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. is an international supplier of high-performance integrated circuits with worldwide headquarters in San Jose, Calif. The company provides a broad range of products for leading computer, networking, and telecommunications companies worldwide. Cypress's product line includes static RAM, EPROM, and specialty memories; programmable logic devices (PLDs); data communications products; and personal computer chipset, timing devices, and USB microcontrollers. Its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CY. The company's worldwide web site is http://www.cypress.com.

Note to Editors: RoboClock is a registered trademark of Cypress Semiconductor Corp.

    CONTACT: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
              Don Parkman, 408/943-2817
              Joe McCarthy, 408/943-2902