Infineon Delivers Technology for 21st Century Textiles; Integrated Microelectronics for a Wide Variety of Uses in Entertainment, Healthcare, Nursing and Logistics.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2002

Today, Infineon Technologies (NYSE: IFX) presented its first solutions for wearable electronics and smart textiles.

A Munich-based research team has developed the enabling technologies that are required for smart textiles. For its outstanding work in this area, Infineon will receive two innovation awards at the Avantex high-tech textiles show that will take place in Frankfurt in two weeks.

Microelectronic components are directly connected to electrically conducting fabric and sewn into clothing, thus directly integrating the electronics in the textiles to ensure comfortable, highly wearable "smart" clothing. These innovative technologies in chip design and integration underscore once more Infineon's technological leadership.

MP3 player woven into the fabric

The Infineon research team developed practical applications for the new technology in cooperation with the German Master School of Fashion in Munich. One approach that will be marketable in the near future is a voice-controlled MP3 player. The electronics of the MP3 player are directly integrated in the fabric of clothing and is packaged to withstand even a washing of the clothing without being damaged. A second application is smart textile labels for various applications. These integrated components are encapsulated in robust plastic enclosures and can be washed in washing-machines.

Outfitters and clothes manufacturers can sew the washable MP3 package directly in their clothing. The entire MP3 player including the microprocessor for voice control is integrated in a tiny chip. A replaceable multimedia card is used to store the music titles. In the prototype system, which was presented today, a speaker independent voice recognition control system replaces all usual key functions.

The electrical connections between the system, memory, earplugs, microphone for voice control and the fabric keyboard are made of purpose-made electrically conductive fabric. Students of the German Master School of Fashion in Munich designed various pieces of clothing which were used to demonstrate the "wearable" MP3 audio player.

Initial uses of the new technology for the encapsulation of chips in textiles are expected in the fun and entertainment area. Smart textile labels in all types of clothing are another application, and Infineon expects additional attractive applications primarily in the area of functional vocational clothing and in clothing for use in healthcare and nursing.

Electronic labels protect branded merchandise

With its my-d products, Infineon has developed a chip for smart label applications that can be integrated with special packaging to create smart labels for fabrics. Smart labels consist of tiny microchips that can store various information, with an integrated antenna that allows the wireless exchange of data to a reader without the need for a separate power supply. Possible applications of the smart label are large washing facilities and rental companies for working clothes. In logistics, it can be used to control material flows to simplify warehousing. Another possibility is the storage of falsification-proof features or codes on the label to control the worldwide piratry of branded merchandise.

Other applications such as the smart washing-machine are then only another step away. Textile care information stored on the chip are recognized by the washing-machine and ensure that the selected program is suitable for all pieces of laundry that are contained in the washer drum. Unpleasant surprises such as a dyed load of originally white laundry will then become a thing of the past.

Significant vision for healthcare and nursing applications

In the semiconductor industry, Infineon has a unique broad portfolio of products. This perfectly positions the company for a variety of approaches in smart textiles. Other research highlights are thermogenerators that convert body heat into electrical power as well as solutions for the nursing of old and sick people. While the use of the thermogenerators is currently limited to extremely low-power chip systems, it represents a promising approach for future applications, e.g. in healthcare. This includes the transmission of vitals measured by sensors in the clothing to external transmitters for

the remote monitoring of individuals who require special care by the physician in charge or an operations center. This allows a faster response to irregularities and a timely intervention that can save lives.

About Infineon

Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions for applications in the wired and wireless communications markets, for security systems and smartcards, for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as memory products. With a global presence, Infineon operates in the US from San Jose, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo. In the fiscal year 2001 (ending September), the company achieved sales of Euro 5.67 billion with about 33,800 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX). Further information is available at www.infineon.com

This news release is available online at http://www.infineon.com/news/

Further information as well as pictures around the topic "wearable electronics" can be found at http://www.wearable-electronics.de.